TheCable

Ovie Omo-Agege, the deputy senate president seeking the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has listed his plans to build a new Delta if elected as governor.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, he described the manifesto as ‘The EDGE to Build a New Delta (BAND)’. 

He said his plans are the result of his years of hands-on experience in the executive and the legislative arms of government, adding that the manifesto will reinvigorate the state.

Omo-Agege, who has served as commissioner, secretary to the Delta state government, and a two-term senator, said he has an extensive view of the issues that pertain to governance.

He listed issues regarding human capital development, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, housing and other labour-intensive interventions as core on his agenda for the state.

“EDGE encapsulates employment and empowerment, good governance, development and enduring peace and security. It is a product of profound thought based on my practical experience both in the executive and legislative arms of government,” he said.

“Having served as secretary to the Delta state government, and as senator, and now as deputy senate president, I am privileged to have a panoramic view of the issues of governance.

“It is these experiences I am bringing to bear on my plans for Delta state. Yes, governance is tough, but it is not all rocket science. So, we are going to engage with vigour on all fronts, and build a brand new Delta.

“I will address our scary unemployment rate by prioritising public investment in agriculture and tech-driven entrepreneurship. My plan as stated in our manifesto will change the business ecosystem of the state and create an investment friendly charter that makes access to funds and infrastructure a natural way of life.

“Human capital development, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, housing and other labour intensive interventions are at the core of our agenda. We shall establish a Delta State Employment, Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Programme (DEEP), and facilitate the establishment of cluster industries in each of the 25 LGAs of our state. 

“We will deliberately create an enabling environment for industries and manufacturing, establish technology hubs, set up small business loan guarantee schemes,  and promote skills acquisition and set up a Career Development Centre for Deltans. 

“As part of our plans to promote ease of doing business, we’ll undertake institutional and process reviews, remove red tape and bureaucratic bottlenecks, improve infrastructure,  re-engineer our peace and security strategies, while establishing a one stop repository of business knowledge and information.

“We will guarantee the rights of women and invest their unique energy to drive social and economic development in the state. We will initiate a youth development programme that moves them away from the hopelessness of today, connect them to creative endeavours and generate energies for honourable work.

“While making aggressive investment in modern infrastructure capable of opening up the total economic energies of our people, we will lift the state out of a mono-economic dependency by launching diversification into tech and business incubation.”

Omo-Agege added that the agenda will also support the vulnerable and ensure “that our people live in peace and security, free from harassment, intimidation and militancy”.