By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Thursday, expressed his administration’s readiness to partner with only investors who have the overall interest of the state.
Governor Oborevwori disclosed this at a meeting with the Chairman of Metwest Steel Limited, Mr. Arun Goswami, and the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Osaro Adusomnwan in Government House, Asaba.
Oborevwori noted that there were many people who wanted to invest just to see what they could get from the state government, without giving back to the state, stressing that his administration would not partner with such investors.
“Last month, I went to inspect your factory and also, to the Delta Free Trade Zone, Kwale; it was an assessment visit just to be sure of what is on the ground.
“There are so many people who want to come and invest to see what they can get from the government; they are not giving back and we are not ready to partner with such investors who just believe in the government to see what they can get from the government.
“It has to be a private/ partnership arrangement where both the government and the private sector will look at what they are bringing; that is why I said let us meet.
“We will look at what is on the ground and see if the state government is ready to continue. However, I want to assure you that we are ready to continue”, the governor added.
On the requests made by the company about the free Trade zone, he assured them that his administration would look into them.
“If we release our own equity, we need to know the actual time schedule for the successful take- off of the factory at the Kwale Industrial Park.
“Some investors will tell you this is the time frame and would not keep to it. So, we need you to quickly come with a time frame because we are ready to pay our own equity,” he said, adding that all other issues would be looked into.
The governor expressed appreciation to the company for their interest in Delta State, saying that such investment was what was needed this time to create jobs that would take the unemployed people off the streets.
Earlier, the Chairman of the company, Mr. Goswami said the project would be located in Kwale within the Delta State Free Trade Zone, pointing out that they were investing heavily in the project.
He assured the governor that once they were given the necessary support, the plant would be ready for operation in the next eight months, adding that the project will generate 500 direct jobs in the first phase and 7,000 direct jobs over a period of six years, aside from indirect job opportunities.
While saying that the whole effort was to be a key partner with the Delta State Government, he noted that the project would boost the Internally- Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.
He added, “I look forward to the favourable consideration of the project by the state government as the project will make the state government to achieve its dream to make it (the state) energy -based industrial hub.”