Delta State Government has approved the development of eight community markets in the state, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr Kingsley Emu, has said.

Emu, who disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Asaba, said the markets would be located in the three senatorial districts of the state.

The commissioner said the locations of the markets were determined by the needs of the people, adding that they would promote economic activities in the areas.

He said they would be located at Abigborodo in Warri North, Ojobo in Burutu, Otokutu in Ughelli South and Oko-Anala in Oshimili South Local Government Areas.

Emu said other areas were Kwale in Ndokwa West, Umunede in Ika North East, Agbor-Nta in Ika South and Abraka in Ethiope council areas.

“The contracts for the construction of the markets have been awarded and payment of mobilisation fees is being processed”, he said.

Emu noted, however, that development of markets was the responsibility of local governments but that the state intervened because the councils could not provide the needed resources for the projects.

He also disclosed that the state, in collaboration with the Nigeria Export Promotion Council, planned to establish an oil palm production plant at Owa-Aliosimi, Ika North East Local Government Area.

The commissioner said further that government had identified four strategic centres in the state for the collection and preservation of palm products, before moving them to the processing centre.

According to him, the centres are Oghara in Ethiope West, Abraka in Ethiope East, Ejeme in Aniocha South and Issele-Uku in Aniocha North Local Government Areas.

Emu explained that government’s attention to palm production in particular and agriculture in general, was part of its efforts to develop the non-oil sector of the economy.

He said that when the centres were fully developed, they would create employment for the people and trigger off some other economic activities in the areas.