THE twin social ailments of unemployment and insecurity remain the most painful societal evils in Delta State today. Though pernicious and nearly permanent in the system, a well calculated approach can diminish, if not terminate, their influence in the society.

There are so many people running around in the country as we read this who are not aware of vital policy initiatives required to address firmly the root cause of these problems.

We as a people must, therefore, be concerned about why problems like this exist to make life miserable for our people. This must not happen in Delta State, a land rich in both natural and human resources.

But for the undue economic concentration on crude oil as a monolithic source of revenue to the detriment of agriculture and agro-allied industries, Delta State would have, a few decades before the turn of the century, been in leadership position in Nigeria. Unfortunately, the once thriving  industries which provided employment to thousand of Deltans, suddenly they became moribund and went out of circulation like fair weather friends.

Then in Delta State we had Bendel Glass, Asaba Textile Mill, AT&P, DSC, Bendel Steel Structure, the Mid West Hotels etc. Bendel Glass at its climax then was famous for making quality glasses which compared favourably with those imported into the country. But suddenly it went under. Asaba Textile Mill, a subsidiary of the state government, in its prime stood shoulder high with Arewa Textile factories, Michitex, Webisco, and even became a threat to UAC and its Hollandische wax.

There was also the African Timber and Plywood, Sapele, a plant that had everything going for it to succeed. It had the facility to make flush doors, cartons, matches and match boxes, tooth pick which today are imported from Malasia, Indonesia, Taiwan, etc. It had a export link with many West African countries. A visit to many of these factories, except the AT&P which the state government has partially reactivated, will only reveal that their structures have become homes for reptiles and rodents.

Besides the money spent on establishing them, their resuscitation and meaningful management will be a great source of wealth creation and employment opportunities for a huge number of Deltans.

These factories and hotels are evenly spread across the three senatorial districts of the state. There is the manpower to run them whenever the state government takes the initiative. We should, however, not forget that abandonment of industries is not peculiar to Delta State. The Federal Government has Volkswagen Industry in Lagos, PAN in Kaduna, Leyland in Ibadan etc. These are painful memories of a system failure making people to suffer in the midst of abundance.

However, it may not be long to wake the giant from its slumber because shifting attention to these abandoned industries could afford us a good start in giving the economy a boost and Delta State could lead the way. Remember the “Next Level” slogan which slipped into the Nigerian political vocabulary in 2010 which is today a popular policy slogan all over the country.

Obaisi Ovie Omo-Agege, an author, is at it again. He wants to be governor of Delta State, come 2015. He has assured Deltans that his first major policy objective will be the reactivation of the abandoned industries. Imagine the world of “made in Nigeria” matches, tooth picks, etc. One may defiantly retort, we had made in Nigeria matches before. But the question is where is it now? So we must give honour where it is due. The man who is promising us a “Made in Sapele matches”, “Made in Asaba textile” for our women, men and children is indeed a great mind.

Delta State is a land blessed with human
resources. We only need a great mind to lead Delta State into becoming the Hong Kong or Dubai of Nigeria. There is no other way to greatness other than effective leadership of this state. Indonesia was transformed by Sukano through good leadership.

It can happen here. Over the years, there has never been any candidate who took our minds to this vital area of the economy. In his view, which I buy, is that “for the state to attain its place of pride, all the existing moribund companies in the state must be given adequate attention and new companies must be given room to spring up to reduce unemployment rate in the state”.

Omo-Agege also promised massive employment as a means of countering insecurity. It is a known fact of life that in any society with adequate employment, insecurity level is always low. There is also a school of thought which believes that another means of checking insecurity is the creation of state police. But for now the Federal Government is averse to it.

Then again there are those who appoint vigilantes in communities without any meaningful force. But Omo-Agege would rather adopt a policy that would “expand the waterway security policy by introducing community security marshal that will engage any youth that is not gainfully employed from the streets of the state”.

On the policy of continuity, Omo-Agege would complete any projects that the government of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan would leave unfinished. He also said that his administration would consolidate on the three points agenda of Governor  Uduaghan.

These are some of the vital issues or policy implementation that had proven problematic for new leaders which create a buffer between them and their predecessors. Many hurry to prove they are their own men to the detriment of those states. Continuity is essential and it is often fruitful. All these are some of the benefits of the dividends of democracy – a platform to examine what those aspiring to lead will provide so as to vote well.

For Delta State to move forward, the resuscitation these industries as functional subsidiaries of government is very essential. Beyond being roots, they will also serve as branches that will expose the state to the outside world and the man with this noble idea should be rewarded.

Delta State and indeed Nigeria need the benefits of the reabsorption of these dead industries. They should come alive. There is no other time for them than now.

Ben Etaghene wrote from  Warri, Delta State.