Delta State as one of the Niger Delta States is at the centre of the socio-economic life of the country. As a major oil producing and littoral State, Delta contributes enormously to the economy of Nigeria which is in the main dependent on oil revenue. However, this role is not without its attendant effects. Thus, there are challenges of environment, physical planning, social services, conflict management, and issues of resource control and economic development. In order to transform these challenges into opportunities for growth and development, the State would require commitment to implement a quality reform package as encapsulated in the State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (SEEDS). The SEEDS identifies the areas of strengths for the State which it could leverage on to succeed, the weaknesses which ought to be transformed, the political, economic, social and technological opportunities and threats that the State faces in its operating environment. A. Strengths
The State possesses a lot of strengths and potentials in the following areas:
i.
A large deposit of fossil fuel, especially crude oil and gas which is the biggest industry and revenue earner for the country. The oil industry which the State hosts is capable of inducing industrial production and commerce that could translate to economic growth and development for the State.
ii.
The presence of some industrial establishments like the Delta Steel Company, Aladja, Beta Glass Company, Ughelli and other established and growing infrastructural facilities (seaports, roads, power, water, telecoms, etc), could further drive industrialization in the State. Page 23
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B.
A terrific network of natural gas pipelines that could be source of power for industrial growth eg. for cassava processing and ceramic industry etc. Increasing share from