Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro Economic Zone development summit, “shared
responsibility, shared prosperity” a brainchild of Hon. Senibo Dakuku Adol
Peterside, member Federal House of Representatives, representing
Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency is being launched tomorrow. The
launching of this Economic Zone development summit will not have come at a time
other than this. It is now a common knowledge that governance is all about the
well being of the citizens and in realisation of this ultimate goal of modern
governments, this economic summit is very imperative.

The whole idea of economic zone development summit gives us
the opportunity to highlight some economic potentials in the area of focus:
Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency. Andoni and Opobo/Nkoro Local
Government Areas are riverine Local Government Areas of the state. It is
pertinent to point out that the economic zone development summit will give us
opportunity to harness the riches of the rivers and creeks (water) around us to
the economic benefit of the people. There is no single individual that is not
endowed with potentials, if adequately tapped makes the person very useful
member of the society. It is obvious that this economic zone development summit
is desirous to expose such potentialities.

Government at different times have embarked upon skills
acquisition programmes which is a very audible strategy of economic empowerment
of the individual. It is disheartening to observe that these goal intention
programmes have been marred at the implementation stage. In as much as skills
acquisition remains a veritable tool in the economic development of the
individual, it should be carried out vigorously. Persons interested in this
programme should be encouraged to venture into skills relevant to their areas
of abode.

We can also encourage people to form groups such as
co-operatives to qualify them for loans from financial institutions which will
enable them set up businesses of their own. These businesses will grant
economic independence to the concerned persons. This is achievable through
prudent management of available resources which is of great interest to the
economic zone development summit.

The bottom-line of our existence in the contemporary society
is to acquire relevant education as prerequisite to escape poverty. Even the
highly educated professionals can dabble into business ventures that can uplift
others who are not so privileged to limelight. These persons will be able to
tap the benefits of this economic zone development summit.

By the geographical location we find ourselves, our people
are predominantly aquatic in their traditional means of earning a living. We
are fishermen and women. Operating mostly at subsistence level. The gains of
this economic zone development summit will enable us to improve on our kind and
level of fishing. This will imply a shift from the use of crude methods of
fishing with obsolete implements to modem methods with mechanised implements.
This will also catapult us from subsistence fishing to commercial fishing. The
would-be investors that are woed by this economic zone development summit will
collaborate with the people and government to turn the fortune of our people
around in this way. We can make the best use of the Atlantic Ocean, rivers and
creeks that surround us.

The Nipapalm trees in our waters have not been fully
utilised. Investigations have revealed that Nipapalm can be beneficial to the
people more than the local use we make of it. This economic zone development
summit will certainly highlight such latent economic benefits to the people.

The economic zone development summit will also expose to the
world the abundant sand and gravels, we use to erect our concrete buildings
over the years from our water. This economic zone development summit will, like
any other economic summit, expose us to the outside world. This is the more
reason why all and sundry must come out to support the launching of this
summit. Hon. Senibo Dakuku Adol Peterside – member, Federal House of
Representatives, thank you for this vision.

Hon. Senibo Andrew Anderson Miller is the member
representing Opobo/Nkoro in the Rivers State House of Assembly