A renowned blue economy expert and Lead Director of Gadfly Consulting Limited, Dr. Uche Igwe, has commended the executive governor of Delta state, Elder Sheriff Oberevwori on the initiative of setting aside $100 million for derisking investments in the state.

Igwe made the commendation while speaking to newsmen during  the just concluded Delta State Economic and Investment Summit in Asaba, describing the governor’s initiative as bold and visionary. 

“One of the biggest takeaway for me from this summit is the setting up of the fund for derisking projects. By doing this, Governor Oberevwori has demonstrated strong political will to demonstrate to the world that Delta State is ready for investment. 

“The potentials in Delta state are huge and with the efforts of the governor, it is clear that he wants to diversify the economy beyond oil. 

Working in collaboration with the West Africa Sustainable Ocean Program (WASOP), a European Union funded technical assistance program, I want to assure you that it is possible to support the state to achieve the laudable objectives of delivering sustainable prosperity.

“The Director of the State Investment Promotion Agency is already in touch with us. Working together, I am confident that in a few years from now, Delta state could become an example of how a subnational entity can be successfully weaned from oil dependence through deft economic re-engineering and fiscal discipline.”

Dr. Igwe further announced the efforts of his firm to make Delta State the blue economy hub for Africa.  

“I wish to announce that the 2nd edition of the annual Niger Delta Blue Economy Investment Summit will be held on the 18th and 19th of March 2027 in Warri Delta state. This is our own contribution to support the efforts of the governor to develop the vast blue economy potentials in the state by breaking them down and converting them into tangible investment pipelines. 

“Already through WASOP, technical assistance is being provided to the Sealink project which will revamp the Burutu deep seaport to an enviable transhipment destination in Africa to create jobs for ordinary people in the state especially women and youths”.