The Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Bank of Industry (BOI) for the establishment of Fish Industrial Parks in the Niger Delta.
The agreement was signed on Wednesday in Abuja by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Godsday Orubebe, and the Managing Director of BOI, Ms Evelyn Oputu.
According to Ms. Oputu, the agreement would advance the cause of the Niger Delta, improve lives and boost the economy of the people.
She said, “Bank of Industry is partnering with the Niger Delta Ministry to increase and change the pace in the Niger Delta.
“Everybody in Nigeria knows what has been happening in the region before now and with the setting up of the ministry we all had a great hope and expectations; and we believe that this new projects marks the new beginning in the region”.
Speaking also at the occasion, Minister, Niger Delta Affairs Ministry, applauded the commitment and determination of BOI in working harmoniously with the ministry to support and develop people-oriented projects saying that the establishment of the Fish Industrial Park programme will not only create wealth but generate employment opportunities for the youths in the region.
The minister noted that oil was a fragment of the natural resources found in the Niger Delta, stressing that ``the region is well endowed with other Natural Resources’’.
He disclosed that the project would be established in all the nine Niger Delta states, with two states earmarked for the pilot scheme of the programme adding that the park’s location would be determined by the proximity to water and access to road.
He expressed delight that the project would not only help to enhance fish production which stood at 200,000 tonnes per annum, but to meet the local demand of over two million tonnes of fish annually as well as for export.
“The partnership will be based on mutual understanding on a 50-50 platform where BOI will contribute part of the fund that will be committed for the project.''
The implementation of the project, which would take-off this year, would involve the BOI, the ministry, the states and the communities.
“As a ministry we are determined to work with the president to achieve the transformation.”
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