Don Tasks N’Delta Govts On Economic Diversification

Niger Delta Governments have been charged to diversify their resources to non-oil sectors like agriculture so as to improve the revenue base of the states in the region.

The charge was given, Monday, by Professor Gberanen Gbanaador while speaking as guest at the Tide Roundtable, a weekly personality interview programme of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation.

The don pointed out that the necessity for the states in the region to engage and invest in other sources of revenue is urgent, saying ‘ we have to start it now before the oil will finish”.

According to him, investing in agriculture and other viable ventures would mean creating more jobs for the youths, as well as increasing the resources and economic base of the states.

Gbanaador, who is a United States based professor of Surgery lamented over the happenings in the region, saying that if Niger Delta people would honestly divorce themselves of selfish interests and table their problems, and if the federal government would with utmost sincerity addresse the issues by analyzing and proffering solutions in a holistic system,  the problem now plaguing the area would be over.

He commended President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua over the amnesty granted militants in the region but cautioned that efforts should be in top gear to sustain the region so that peace would reign forever in the region.

He advocated for a systematic approach in tackling challenges and strategic issues whereby all hands should be on deck in building the region and the nation together.