Otuaro: Private Sectors, Well-Meaning Citizens Urged To Partner With Government

By John Onos

The Acting Governor of Delta State, Deacon Barr Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, has called on the private sector and well-meaning citizens to partner with government in the area of job and wealth creation so as to rapidly achieve sustainable economic development.

Otuaro who declared open the Southern Zonal Accountants Conference of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) at Orchid Hotels, DBS Road, Asaba, implored members of the ICAN to go through their theme and sub-theme to properly x-ray the issues of wealth creation and sustainable development in the country, and come up with fresh ideas in the shape of contemporary responses on how best to overcome the challenges therein.

He explained that “there is no doubt that the body is a very important professional body which has continued to play critical role in setting standards for the accounting profession and providing a vibrant platform for interrogating critical issues of National development.”

He added: “I urge members of the institute to maintain its leading role in ensuring that the profession is properly positioned to meet global standards and best practice as a way of meeting local expectations.

“I sincerely commend the southern Zonal District of the Institute for the initiative in putting together this professional development programme aimed at improving the knowledge of your members and finding solutions to challenges of national development.”

Deacon Otuaro noted further that it is heartwarming that the second Southern Zonal Accountants Conference of ICAN is focusing on the theme: ‘Wealth Creation and Sustainable Development in Nigeria’, stating that “the theme is quite timely and appropriate as it will serve to draw attention to the importance of entrepreneurship as a veritable tool for wealth creation and the achievement of inclusive sustainable development.”

He emphasised that in Delta State, job and wealth creation is at the core of the Okowa-led administration’s SMART Agenda, adding that the only way to achieve sustainable economic growth is through creation of new jobs, diversifying the economy through the development of the non-oil sector and providing the enabling environment for enterprise and industry to thrive.

According to him, in 2015, Delta State government launched the job and wealth creation scheme with the following programmes, Youth Agricultural Enterprise Programme (YAGEP), Skill Training Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP), and Production and Processing Support Programme (PPSP) and the programmes are focused on equipping participants with life skills, harnessing their productive potential and enabling them to become entrepreneurs.

He maintained that to drive an exclusive economic growth, the state government repositioned the Delta State Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency to make it more responsive towards the needs and aspirations of women, the poor and vulnerable in the society, stressing that the outcome has been encouraging as this administration has made progress and visible achievements in the areas of job and wealth creation through empowerment with these programmes.

In his welcome address, the Chairman, Southern Zonal District, Mr. Oyemaechi Ekeruche, said a glance through the list of presentations planned for the next few days, as well as the carefully chosen paper presenters and discussants would no doubt attest to the fact that the conference is meant to revitalise them and bring the best in them.

The chairman appreciated the 54th President and members of councils of the Institute for making it to Asaba despite their tight schedules.