Niger Delta: A paradox awaiting resolution, By Sam Akpe

Speaking on: Strengthening the Niger Delta Economy Through Strategic Innovation in Local Content and Management, ‘Timi categorised the setbacks of the region to include limited industrial diversification, high unemployment, weak value chain participation, persistent infrastructure deficit, oil theft, and assets vandalism.” He identified four stakeholders with specific roles in the Niger Delta economic renaissance: government: enabling policy, fund infrastructure, and enforcement of transparency; private sector: bold investment in innovation and scaling indigenous enterprises; communities: participation as stakeholders, not spectators; NIM: driving execution, excellence, governance and accountability.

According to him, such arrangement would make the oil rich city of Warri the industrial engine of the Western Niger Delta, complementing Onne’s role in the Eastern Delta — and it does not cost human heads to get it done — only the right infrastructure, incentives, and investment coordination.