Delta targets 5,000 jobs from glass factory revival

The Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Hon. Samuel Oritsejolomisan Oligida, during interaction with journalists after the presentation in Asaba . CREDIT: Efecha Gold

The Delta State Government says the planned revival of the moribund Delta Glass industry is expected to create at least 5,000 jobs when the factory becomes fully operational.

The state Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Samuel Oligida, disclosed this on Thursday while highlighting the ministry’s achievements in 2026 and priorities for the 2027 fiscal year.

Oligida spoke after presenting the ministry’s 2027 budget proposal during discussions with ministries, departments and agencies on the preparation of the 2027 budget, organised by the Ministry of Economic Planning in Asaba.

He said investors had commenced development work at the Delta Glass facility in Ughelli, expressing optimism that its revival would create thousands of employment opportunities and boost economic activities in the state.

The commissioner said, “That particular investment, that moribund industry, when activated and revived, is going to produce not less than 5,000 jobs and spaces, and that will remove a lot of youths from the streets.”

According to him, the government is also investing in market infrastructure and creating a business-friendly environment to attract investors and strengthen commercial activities.

Oligida cited the Udu Harbour Market, which he said has more than 700 shops, and the proposed market in Osubi, which he described as another major market project expected to be among the biggest in the state.

He said the projects were part of the administration’s efforts to improve trading activities and provide better facilities for business owners.

The commissioner attributed investors’ interest in Delta to the state government’s investment-friendly policies and ongoing infrastructure development.

He said, “The first attraction to any investor is infrastructure. No investor will come to establish a business in an environment where there is no infrastructure.

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“So, this administration has concentrated on infrastructure development to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.”

On the state government’s business support facility, Oligida said the ministry was encouraging beneficiaries to repay the funds to enable other entrepreneurs to access the facility.

He explained that some business owners had initially misunderstood the programme as free government money rather than financial support intended to expand existing businesses.

The commissioner also disclosed that the government had supported the revival of a rice factory in Jesse, which he described as one of the biggest in the South-South and South-East regions.

He said the financial support was aimed at enabling the factory to resume operations and contribute to economic growth and employment generation.

Oligida further disclosed that the government had supported the purchase of specialised medical equipment for a clinic along Petroleum Training Institute Road in the Effurun area to improve access to diagnostic services for critical diseases.

On the processing of Certificates of Occupancy, the commissioner said the ministry had collected information from property owners and assisted many residents in processing their land documents.

He explained that although the government had made the process easier and less expensive, applicants might still be required to pay minimal statutory charges.

He urged residents who had yet to benefit from the exercise to visit the relevant department of the ministry and submit their property details to facilitate the process.

Oligida disclosed that the ministry’s 2027 budget proposal stood at N5bn, based on the expenditure ceiling allocated to it.