President of the Guild of Online Media Editors and Publishers of Nigeria (GOMEP-NG), Akpovoke Otiti, has faulted the ongoing Delta State economic summit, arguing that the state government must first account for the outcome of previous investment initiatives before embarking on another campaign to attract foreign investors.
Speaking on the summit, Otiti recalled that during the administration of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, government officials, including Kingsley Emu, travelled to China in a bid to attract investors to Delta State.
According to him, the trip was accompanied by widespread publicity and assurances that it would pave the way for the development of the proposed Kwale Industrial Park, which was projected to boost industrialisation and create employment opportunities.
“At the time, there was so much excitement. Deltans were made to believe that the state was on the verge of attracting major investments.
“Millions of naira were reportedly spent on the trip, yet years later there is little or nothing to show for it,” he said.
Otiti alleged that the proposed Kwale Industrial Park had failed to take off, claiming that the acquired land has remained undeveloped and was gradually turning into a forest.
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“Today, nobody talks about the Kwale Industrial Park anymore. It appears to have been dead on arrival,” he added.
He expressed concern that officials associated with the previous investment drive were once again spearheading the Delta Economic Summit with promises of attracting foreign investors.
“The same people who could not deliver investors during the last administration are now asking Deltans to believe another round of promises.
“It is difficult to understand why citizens should be convinced without first seeing tangible results from the earlier efforts,” Otiti said.
He called on the organisers of the summit to provide a comprehensive account of past investment missions and demonstrate the achievements recorded before seeking public support for new initiatives.
According to him, transparency, accountability and measurable outcomes are essential to restoring public confidence in the state’s investment agenda.
