Niger Delta Human Development Report - UNDP Nigeria - United ...

If the current rate of
environmental
degradation continues
unchecked, human
development will not be
sustainable. And the
impacts will extend to
the globe.
Concerted effort is
needed to implement
direct mentoring
programme while skills
acquisition and
vocational centres
should be revamped to
deliver standard and
quality services to
young entrepreneurs.
• processing of yams and plantain into
products with extended shelf life, such
as powder chips;
• the design and provision of appropriate
maize storage facilities at farms and
depots;
• fruit canning in small and medium factories;
• canoe carving and cane craft products;
• cloth weaving and mat-making;
• sugar processing;
• extraction of salt from brackish water;
• palm oil and vegetable processing activities,
and soap making, especially in
Edo, Ondo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta and
Cross Rivers states; and
• the establishment of onshore and offshore
fish storage and processing terminals,
and marketing networks on
land, especially in Rivers, Bayelsa,
Delta, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and
Ondo states.
Non-metallic mineral-based
industries: Sand and clay provide
opportunities for investment in a range
of industries, including:
• the production of marble slabs and
terrazzo chips, ceramics, ceramic
wares, decorative and dinner wares,
glass for windows, sanitary wares and
electro-porcelain;
• the manufacturing of glass windows
and greenhouses;
• the production of poles from teak
farms in Edo, Ondo and Cross River
states; and
• wood and wood residue processing,
and the furniture industry, especially
in Edo and Ondo states.
Ecotourism: The potential for ecotourism
exists in all the delta states. Ecotourism
could be developed with community participation,
especially along the Ethiope
River, for swamp forests and beaches in
Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and
Cross River states, in the Okomu National
Park in Edo State, on the Obudu Cattle
Ranch, in Oban National Park in Cross
River State, etc.
Goal 4: Enhancing the Potential of
Small and Medium Enterprises
In many countries, small and medium enterprises
have been important instruments
for expanding growth, generating output
and employment, and boosting exports and
foreign exchange earnings. They also provide
the basis for a strategy targeting disadvantaged
group, such as women and
youths. These enterprises should be vigorously
promoted in the Niger Delta region.
Assuming the creation of a more supportive
and cohesive social environment and
better access to infrastructure, the strategies
to assist the development of small and
medium enterprises include fostering legal
and community awareness and support
frameworks. This entails the following
measures.
• A general judicial review and enactment
of new legislation, particularly
laws relating to informal business arrangements,
would facilitate changes
required for small and medium businesses
to thrive.
• Micro-credit is crucial and needs to
be expanded and publicized. Isusu and
other community-based savings and
credit schemes, if properly organized
and supported, could be relevant to
rural capital mobilization for investment
in small and medium enterprises.
But the government needs to play a
more active role in enhancing microcredit,
especially in areas and communities
where oil and gas activities are
taking place. An understanding among
the NDDC, the oil industry, state and
local governments, banks and communities
on effective delivery and management
of micro-credit is essential.
‘Standby’ money could be channelled
into micro-credit schemes.
• New investments would contribute to
growth in both agricultural and industrial
products.
• The establishment and/or restructuring
of small business information centres
would allow the provision of legal,
business and technical informa-
164 NIGER DELTA HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT