Delta Targets Investments Through Infrastructure, Blue Economy ~ Truth Reporters

 

By Andy Emphia

Delta State says it is positioning itself as Nigeria's next major investment destination by leveraging massive infrastructure development, its Blue Economy potential and the Delta Special Economic Zone to attract local and foreign investors.

Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, stated this on Wednesday during a press briefing ahead of the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit 2026, scheduled for August 3 to 5 in Asaba.

Emu said the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori administration had laid a solid foundation for industrialisation through sustained investments in roads, bridges, power and transport infrastructure, creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

According to him, the government has constructed and rehabilitated more than 2,600 kilometres of roads and over 20 bridges, opening up rural communities, reducing transportation costs and connecting key economic corridors across the state.

He identified the Delta Special Economic Zone as one of the state's strongest investment assets, noting that its proximity to the OB-3 gas pipeline guarantees investors access to some of the cheapest and most reliable electricity in Nigeria.

"The infrastructure has been provided. Government has created the enabling environment. Investors can come into Delta and enjoy competitive energy costs that many other states cannot offer," Emu said.

He disclosed that the state currently operates an independent power infrastructure supplying about 8.5 megawatts of electricity to government facilities and public institutions, adding that ongoing electricity sector reforms would further expand access to affordable power for industries.

Highlighting Delta's strategic location, the SSG said the state has four seaports, two airports and a 163-kilometre Atlantic coastline, giving it a unique advantage for maritime trade and investment.

He said the Oborevwori administration is prioritising the development of the Blue Economy through investments in aquaculture, commercial fishing, fish feed production, cold-chain logistics, seafood processing and marine transportation.

Emu noted that Delta hosts one of West Africa's largest concentrations of fish ponds around the Ekpan and Ugborikoko axis, where aquaculture has become a major source of livelihoods and employment.

He added that the state is also richly endowed with commercially viable deposits of coal, lignite, kaolin and silica, presenting significant opportunities for mining, manufacturing and power generation. According to him, coal from parts of the state already supplies major cement manufacturers, while plans are underway to explore coal-fired electricity generation to support industrial growth.

The SSG said the state government had spent the past three years marketing Delta's investment opportunities in China, Brazil and other strategic markets.

He revealed that investment engagements in São Paulo had produced encouraging results, with Brazilian companies expected to participate in the summit, while several Chinese firms had also indicated interest.

Emu further disclosed that the state had developed comprehensive investment prospectuses and launched a dedicated summit website to sustain engagement with investors before and after the event.

He expressed confidence that the summit, themed "Driving Sustainable Investments Through Innovation and Strategic Partnerships," would accelerate Delta's economic transformation by attracting investments that would deepen industrialisation, boost exports and create jobs.

"The opportunities are enormous. We have the resources, the infrastructure, the connectivity and the political will. What we seek now is partnership with investors who are ready to grow with Delta," he said.