Delta GDP Growth Under Okowa Administration, Least Poor Among 36 States And FCT

By Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe Esq

Good governance in Delta State under incumbent platinum governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, has been corroborated by national and international government agencies as well as Nongovernmental Organizations, NGOs.

The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, the World Bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria, European Union Humanitarian Agencies, Tony Elumelu Foundation and several others, stated at diverse times that Delta economy, especially the non-oil sectors grew tremendously between 2015 and 2019 and still on the rise consistently.

NBS reported that Delta is consistently topping the list as the fastest growing economy in job and wealth creation category in Nigeria, and the least poor state in this country. Other states are either adopting Delta model or with mild modifications. It will be most ideal to refer to our state as the nation’s role model in job and wealth creation.

Okowa administration came on board with planned actions to deliberately grow the non-oil sectors, create job and wealth for Deltans and in the same token build a strong economic base which successive governments can improve upon for decades to come.

Thus, this administration’s vision of a stronger Delta was and still anchored on the following objectives;

*Promoting Transparency in Governance

*Establishment of Medium Term Plan

*Establishment of legislations to provide a solid regulatory foundation for public financial management reforms in the state which gave birth to the following;

**Public Procurement Law Revised (2020)

**Public Finance Management Law (2018)

**Audit Law (2019).

**Internal Revenue Services Law (2020), et al.

These Laws were enacted to serve as essential legislations for transparent prudent management of state financial and other resources; such that at a glance those in authority and indeed Deltans can figure out progress and be able to rate performance especially the fulfilment of electioneering campaign promises by the governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa.

Therefore, government crafted and implemented development strategies to grow and cater for both the oil and non-oil sectors, and took steps further to introduce interventionist programmes. The SMART agenda encompassed; strategic wealth creation and Jobs for all Deltans; meaningful peace building platforms aimed at political and social harmony; agricultural reforms and accelerated industrialization; relevant health and education policies; and transformed environment through urban renewal.

Government economic empowerment and wealth creation policies led to the establishment of Delta Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency, Job and Wealth Creation Office, YAGEP, STEP, GEST, TVEB, PPSP, TRACTORISATION, MICRO CREDIT, RYSA, WESAP, ICT-YEP.

The positive impacts of these programmes greatly facilitated the rise in Delta GDP. Services sector is the second major contributor to GDP after oil sector. Cassava, Rice, Tomato, Oil Palm, Aqua-Culture, Piggery and Poultry topped the non-oil sector. YAGEP and STEP beneficiaries have since commenced export of some of their goods and services registered with NAFDAC and other regulatory national and international agencies.

Development of infrastructure; roads, bridges, storm water drainage, energy, housing, water, sports infrastructure and Airport rehabilitation; and the subsequent upgrade of Asaba international Airport by this administration also contributed to the rise of GDP in the state, because of the ease in air and land transportation systems.

These efforts by Okowa administration also upscaled investment promotion, Foreign Direct Investments, FDI, DIDA and Public Private Partnership, PPP; concession of Asaba International Airport for better management and expansion of infrastructure development, as well as government partnership with God is Good Motors Ltd, for improved services by Delta Line.

Consequent upon the above policies and programmes of this administration, the size of Delta State economy rose from N2.96 trillion in 2015 to N4.47 in 2019, a whopping 51%, the impact of recession between 2015 and 2016 notwithstanding.

ALSO READ: BREAKING: JUPEB Clears DELSU Of Involvement In Exam Malpractice

As at 2019, the state GDP composition improved tremendously as follows;

Agriculture 13.00%
Crude Oil & Gas 47.15%
Manufacturing. 5.41%
All Services 34.44%

Agriculture GDP rose from N432 billion in 2015 to N583 billion in 2019, a sharp increase of 35%. The non-oil sectors rose from N1,616,811.07 in 2015 to N2,356,440.81 in 2019, evidence of sound economic policies by Okowa administration. There was consistent increase in trade, real estate, construction, education, transportation, et al.

This impressive economic performance is the culmination of result oriented economic and infrastructure development strategies, fiscal prudence and effective implementation of sector by sector policies and programmes by this administration.

It is hoped that governor Okowa’s successor will build on these landmark achievements and take Delta to the next level of socioeconomic and infrastructure development.

Stronger Delta, Let’s Build Together.