Delta State Missing Out on N26bn Annually from Untapped Natural Resources

Delta State is losing approximately N26 billion every year due to the underutilization of its natural and geographical resources, according to Sunday Ofehe, the Executive Assistant on External Relations for the state. Ofehe revealed this alarming figure at the launch of the National Business Masterclass in Lagos on Friday.

The event, which was organized by Top3 Solutions in collaboration with the Institute of Certified Business Consultants Canada and Optiss Capital, aimed to address the need for Nigerian businesses to improve their export potential and global competitiveness.

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Ofehe, a former governorship aspirant, emphasized the immense untapped potential in Delta, particularly around the Gulf of Guinea, where valuable resources such as fisheries remain largely ignored. He pointed out that Delta State has a 65 square-kilometre coastline dedicated to fishing, yet no policies are in place to protect these resources or ensure the local communities benefit.

“There’s enough potential to generate at least N26bn annually from these resources,” Ofehe stated. He also drew attention to the issue of illegal fishing, noting that foreign vessels often come at night to harvest fish without regulation or oversight, depriving local communities of their rightful benefits.