Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has commissioned a multi-million dollar Delta State Micro, Small and Medium entrepreneurship centre at Issele-Uku, Aniocha North local government area of the State. The occasion was witnessed by officials of United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO); officials of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), traditional rulers, top politicians, among others

Delta State government provided $820 million as counterpart fund while UNIDO provided technical expertise for the project.

The Governor described the project as one of the strategies designed to achieve the Delta Beyond Oil initiative of his administration.

“Our micro credit scheme which we started in 2007 has started to yield fruits,” he said, adding, “our intention with Delta Beyond Oil is to have a lot of industries that will keep the people positively engaged.”

He reiterated, “we believe that with our micro credit programme, we can build industries.”

Dr Uduaghan used the occasion to commend the youths of Issele-Uku for not disrupting the project saying projects executed by his administration were well intentioned in the interest of the people.

He said, “I pray that other youths in the state emulate the youths of this community for government projects to go on smoothly, we know that most times, the youths benefits more from the projects.”

While commending UNIDO for a progressive partnership, Dr Uduaghan noted that UNIDO will concentrate on leather works and shoe making while FIIRO will handle food products.

Earlier, the representative of UNIDO at the occasion, Mr Jessy Ojobo said Dr Uduaghan keeps to his promise and the UNIDO was happy to partner the Delta State government in developing the center.

The Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Executive Secretary, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Dr Anthonia Ashiedu in an address, stated that the center would be training more than ten thousand persons annually who will be assisted to set up their businesses and also train other Deltans.

“This is a wealth creating center,” Dr Ashiedu said and lauded Governor Uduaghan’s commitment to empower Deltans through the Delta Beyond Oil initiative.

The Regent of Issele-Uku, Prince Dominic Egbune in a welcome address said, “this training and entrepreneurship centre indeed, is an indelible edifice Your Excellency, Dr Uduaghan has established that can never be forgotten, we will remain very grateful for this wonderful gesture that will also boost the economic activities and the aesthetic nature of Issele-Uku.”