CommunIQUE issued at the end of the Maiden (2022) Edition of the Warri North Economic Summit

CommunIQUE issued at the end of the Maiden (2022) Edition of the Warri North Economic Summit.

On "BOOSTING THE LOCAL ECONOMY THROUGH OIL AND GAS, TOURISM AND SHIPPING" HELD AT KCMA HALL, KOKO, WARRI NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, DELTA STATE, ON THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022.

1.0 Preamble

The maiden (2022) edition of the Warri North Economic Summit was held at the KCMA Hall, Koko, with the theme: "BOOSTING THE LOCAL ECONOMY THROUGH OIL AND GAS, TOURISM AND SHIPPING".

The maiden edition which provided an LGA platform, attracted participants from across Delta State. Goodwill messages were delivered by past and present Government Functionaries, including the Chairman of the Maiden Edition of the Summit, His Excellency, Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan CON, Immediate Past Governor of Delta State (ably represented by his daughter, the very articulate Orode Uduaghan), Member Representing Warri North State Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly,Hon Fred Martins Esq,( ably represented by his Principal Secretary, Hon Emma Ikomi), Hon Solomon Mikie, Vice Chairman, Warri North Local Government Council, Hon Fidelia Salami, Chairman, Board of Directors, Delta State Tourism Board, Mr Omayeli Okotie, CEO, SIAF Consulting Ltd/Convener, Warri North Economic Summit. Participants included Communities' Representatives, Local Entrepreneurs, Councillors and Staff of Warri North Local Government Council, Delegates of Association of Coastal and Waterways Communities of Nigeria (ACWCN) Delta State Chapter, Corporate Institutions, Delta State Ministry of Oil and Gas, Asaba etc.

Lead Papers were delivered by Sir Matthew Itsekure, Mr Sylvester Ugwoke (HR Manager, Ebenco Global Links Ltd), Prince Emmanuel Amgbaduba, Honorable Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Asaba (ably represented by Mr Godwin Oziboro), Dudu Desmond Esq (Company Secretary/Legal Adviser- Awaritse Nigeria Ltd), Mr Henry Erikowa (Chairman, Advisory Board, Nana Living History Museum), Mrs Fejiro Ugute (MD/CEO, Coastline Microfinance Bank Ltd, ably represented by Mr Igberaese Samuel, Head, Internal Audit) respectively, as shown below:

I. Oil Palm Development in Ajagbodudu: Taking Warri North to the Next Level.

ii. Boosting the Local Economy through Oil and Gas: The Ebenco Experience.

iii. Oil and Gas: Stemming the Tide of Economic Commensalism - A Case for Sustainable Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for Host Communities.

iv. Boosting the Local Economy through Oil and Gas, Tourism and Shipping - The Awaritse Experience.

v. Boosting the Local Economy through Tourism: The Nana Living History Museum Experience.

vi. The Challenges of Banking in Warri North: A Case Study of Coastline Microfinance Bank Ltd in Koko.

2.0 OBSERVATIONS

The Summit observed that:

I. Warri North Local Government Area is blessed with abundant human and natural resources, including oil and non-oil resources.

ii. An unbalanced attention is being paid to the exploitation of Oil and Gas resources, to the detriment and exclusion of agriculture and tourism.

iii. The Youths in Warri North Local Government Area are reluctant to engage themselves in productive employment opportunities.

iv. There is no tertiary institution in the LGA.

v. There is no Strategic Development Plan for the LGA, capturing Short Term, Medium Term and Long Term Development Goals for the LGA.

vi.There is a need for a NEEDS Assessment for the LGA.

vii. There is a need for a Legislative Framework for a NEEDS Assessment and a Strategic Development Plan for the LGA.

viii. There is a need to establish a Chamber of Commerce in the LGA.

3.0 RESOLUTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

At the end of the Summit, the following resolutions and recommendations were adopted that:

1. The Convener should liaise with all relevant Stakeholders to constitute a Body that shall be known as the Warri North Development Committee.

2. The propose Warri North Development Committee shall be saddled with the onerous responsibility of charting a Strategic Development Plan for Warri North Local Government Area, for a period covering 2022 to 2035.

3. The Strategic Development Plan should take into consideration a NEEDS Assessment of communities comprising the Warri North Local Government Area.

4. The Warri North Development Committee should ensure a Legislative Framework for both the NEEDS Assessment and the Strategic Development Plan for Warri North Local Government Area.

5. The Warri North Development Committee shall explore all opportunities at attracting a Koko Study Centre of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) to Koko, headquarters of Warri North Local Government Area.

6. The Warri North Development Committee shall encourage the promotion of agriculture and tourism activities in the LGA, with special attention to Youth Development.

7. To coordinate and boost entrepreneurial efforts within the LGA, the Convener should take positive and deliberate steps to encourage the establishment of a Warri North Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

4.0 APPRECIATION

The Summit expressed its profound appreciation to the Koko Community Management Authority (KCMA) for the use of the KCMA Hall, and to all Sponsors and Donors, Resource Persons, the Security Agencies (DSS, NSCDC), Delegates and Participants. Special appreciation to the Chairman of the Summit, His Excellency, Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan CON, and to the Convener, Mr Omayeli Okotie.

Dated this 25th Day of March, 2022.

Signed by:

1. Mr Omayeli Okotie

2. Sir Matthew Itsekure

3. Mr Henry A. Erikowa

4. Pa Anthony Akiya O. Ejoh

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