The multi-million dollar Delta State Micro, Small and Medium (SME) Entrepreneurship Centre has been commissioned by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

Dr. Uduaghan commissioned the centre at Issele-Uku, Aniocha North Local Government Area of the state in the presence of officials of United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO); officials of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research (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 projects 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.”

Dr Uduaghan reiterated: “We believe that with our micro credit programme, we can build industries.”

He used the occasion to commend the youths of Issele-Uku for not distrupting 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 centre.

The Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Executive Secretary, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Dr Anthonia Ashiedu, in her address stated that the centre 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 centre,” 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.”

•Photo shows Uduaghan speaking with journalists.

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