By Dipo Olowookere
Delta State government has entered into an agreement with a private firm called Norsworthy Investment Limited for the siting of an oil palm processing plant in the state.
The project is said to worth $20 million and would create over five thousand jobs for the people of the state.
The oil palm plant will require the company to cultivate oil palm on about about 3,000 acres of land at Akwukwu-Igbo community in Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state.
This, we gathered, is part of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s efforts in boosting the economy of oil-rich Delta State and also diversifying its source of income.
At the signing ceremony on Thursday in Asaba, the state capital, Secretary to the State Government, Mr Festus Agas, who signed on behalf of the government, noted that Mr Okowa places high premium on agriculture.
He urged other investors to emulate Norsworthy and take advantage of the enabling investment environment in the state to help grow the state economy.
“The Governor is committed to creating jobs and also make the environment fertile for investments to flourish.
“Other investors should emulate Norsworthy and put their money in Delta State. They will never regret doing so,” Mr Agas said.
He assured the firm that the state government would provide every necessary support to make the project a success.
In his remarks, Chairman of Norsworthy Investment Limited, Dr Gabriel Ogbechie, expressed the determination of the company to contribute its quota in the development of Delta State.
“We are very passionate when it comes to investment, not only in Delta but elsewhere because investment brings development to the people and grows the economy of its area of operation.
“I want to commend Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa for his vision and commitment to bring development to the state, and we are ready to bring our own contribution to growing the Delta economy,” he said.
Adedapo Adesanya 
Modupe Gbadeyanka