*Oborevwori’s Administration Means Business, Says Onyeme
INVESTORS from Brazil, Malaysia and the United States (US) have expressed interest in investing in Delta State’s agriculture, energy and industrial sectors, following an inspection tour of key investment sites across the state.
The investors, who participated in the just-concluded Delta State Economic and Investment Summit, visited the Kwale Special Economic Zone, where they were conducted round the facilities of Kwale Gas Gathering Hub and Phoenix Company, as well as Skyward Resources Group in Oleh and Uzezi Farms in Oyede, where they commended the state’s investment-friendly environment, pledging to explore strategic partnerships.
Leader of the Brazilian agribusiness delegation, Roberto Fonseca, during a courtesy call on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori at Government House, Asaba, later, described the Kwale Special Economic Zone as a well-conceived initiative capable of attracting foreign investors and boosting Nigeria’s industrialisation.
Fonseca said the delegation had monitored developments at the zone for some time before the visit, noting that the project reflected the Delta State Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for investment.
He disclosed that the Brazilian group was considering investments in gas-fired power generation and cassava processing plant through a joint venture arrangement, saying Kwale’s strategic location makes it an ideal destination for such projects, adding: “We are planning investments in natural gas power generation and cassava processing, and I believe the Brazilian flag will soon stand alongside the Nigerian flag here in a fruitful partnership.”
During a visit to Skyward Resources Group and Uzezi Farms, Fonseca commended the modern agricultural facilities as evidence that Nigeria possesses the capacity to strengthen food production and achieve food security, noting that Brazil, regarded as one of the world’s leading agribusiness nations, was prepared to invest in ranching, beef processing and partner Nigeria through technology transfer and innovation to improve agricultural productivity.
Also speaking, Malaysian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Aiyub Omar, said his country was exploring investment opportunities in the state’s agricultural sector, particularly oil palm development, adding that he attended the Summit alongside representatives of Malaysian agribusiness firms with extensive experience in large-scale plantation management, including operators managing over 12,000 hectares of oil palm in Nigeria.
Omar said discussions had already commenced with Oborevwori on possible collaboration to develop the state’s oil palm industry, expressing confidence that Malaysia’s expertise could support the state’s agricultural transformation.
Founder of Agrinexus, Shermal Perera, explained that his organisation was already working in Nigeria and begun collaborating with local partners in Delta State, serving as technical partner to JB Farms, one of Nigeria’s leading oil palm companies, while also supporting DELCOM on a proposed smallholder oil palm development programme.
Perera said Agrinexus had brought an American investor to explore investment opportunities in Delta, stressing that international interest in the state was already translating into concrete business engagements.
Speaking during the tour, Delta State Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme, who led the delegation, said the state deliberately combined investment discussions with field visits to existing businesses to demonstrate that it was genuinely prepared for investment.
Onyeme stated that the tour was designed to convince prospective investors that beyond presentations at the Summit, the state already possessed thriving private sector investments ready for expansion through international partnerships.
He stated: “What we are looking for is partnership, technology and expertise. We want investors to see that Delta means business. We have indigenous entrepreneurs who are here to stay and are ready to partner with investors from across the world.
“We want you to have confidence that your investments will be safe in Delta State.”
Managing Director of Skyward Resources Group, Eta Enahoro, said his company had been developed with significant Brazilian technical support, including its greenhouse facilities, poultry operations and feed mill, built using Brazilian expertise.
Enahoro disclosed that the farm currently operates 42 greenhouse units and a poultry facility, with a capacity exceeding 30,000 birds, urging foreign investors to partner the company in expanding its operations.
