Olorogun Taiga urges Urhobo entrepreneurs to invest in Urhoboland

Olorogun Taiga urges Urhobo entrepreneurs to invest in Urhoboland

 

BY SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

The Chairman of Niger Benue Transport Company (NBTC) Limited, Olorogun Moses Taiga, JP, CON, has called on Urhobo investors and other Nigerians to invest more in Urhobo land.

Taiga made the call on Friday, while hosting the Ovie of Udu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Mike Orugbo, Okporua I, at the NBTC facility in Ovwian Community, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State.

Taiga who is also the Adjerese of Urhobo land said that the region offered robust opportunities for economic growth and development.

He urged Urhobo investors to emulate his decision and invest in their homeland.

Taiga who is the

major owner and core investor in the 69 years old company, said that

he had remained committed to company’s survival despite the difficult periods it had experienced over the years.

He recalled that his personal investment in the company was dated back to 1996.

“I am committed to the continued existence of the company, which is 69 years old,” he said.

The business mogul said that NBTC started by transporting cotton from Cameroon for export before divesting into services for the oil industry and other marine-related activities.

 

He said that the company also manufactured badges and tugboats, as well as boat building through its subsidiaries.

“It is a good company, and as an Urhobo man I am committed to it. Even in rough times, when we were not making money, I cannot abandon it,” he said.

The Adjerese of Urhobo land said that NBTC had remained essentially a private investment and had not depended on government support for its operations.

According to him, NBTC is a private investment, and does not anticipate anything from the Government and never bordered about it.

He, however, said that the company was opened to ideas, maintaining that the firm was willing to participate in government initiatives where its expertise could be useful.

“If the Federal or State Government wants us to participate in any activity, we are the oldest marine company in Nigeria; we are open,” he said.

Taiga, while speaking on the challenges confronting the company, said NBTC faced some of the peculiar difficulties associated with operating in the Niger Delta’s riverine terrain.

According to him, “we are far away from Lagos, traversing around the shallow rivers that we have, crossing through Koko to Escravos and the rest of it. Those are the challenges, but we try to overcome them”.

The Adjerese of Urhobo land said that

despite the disruptions caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic and the departure of several major oil companies from the region, NBTC had

continued to maintain it’s dominant presence in Ovwian Community.

“Despite the COVID saga and the departure of most of the major oil companies, come rain, come shine, we continued to support the company, and employed Urhobo sons and daughters.

“We maintained robust relationship with out host communities through various forms of support.

“We have been good neighbours to our hosts and our landlords.

“We build town hall, participate in their festivals and sustain the elders and citizens of Ovwian and the larger Udu Community,” he said.

On his part, the Ovie of Udu Kingdom, HM,

Mike Orugbo,

commended NBTC for its remarkable record of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and commitment to the development of Udu Kingdom.

The royal father described NBTC as one of the best Corporate Citizens in the country and called for continued cooperation and support for its operations.

“For all the years they’ve been in operation, there is nothing they’ve not done to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the kingdom in the area of corporate social responsibility. I rate them very high,” he said.

The king urged other Urhobo sons and daughters to emulate Olorogun Taiga by investing in their homeland.

He specifically lauded Taiga for investing in Urhobo land, saying greater investment by Urhobo people in the region would strengthen the economic position of the Urhobo Nation.

“I will advise other sons and daughters of the Urhobo Nation to emulate Olorogun Taiga, who has deem it fit to come home from Lagos to invest in Urhobo.

“And if they emulate him, definitely Urhobo will be ahead in the country,” he said.

The monarch noted that Urhobo land was endowed with oil, gas and other economic opportunities that could support greater development if adequately harnessed.

The king and his entourage were received by the NBTC’s management while the Erhuvwu Royal Cultural Dance troupe, Ovwiana, added colour to the historic visit.

Among the NBTC officials were: Olorogun Taiga, the Managing Director, Engr. Dhanasekaran Govindan; Chief Godwin Notoma, Director; and Chief Steve Sokoh, Director and Olorogun (Prince) Ejiro Arigi, General Manager, Administration and Finance.

Others were: Engr. Mrs Queen Uche Chigbo, Business Development Manager; Mr Anetor Newton, Chief Accountant; Mr Emoefe Edjere, General Service Manager; Mr Oghenemaro Ashakah, Treasury Manager; Mr Lucky Oromowano, QHSE Manager; and Mrs Fidelia Erokaire, Admin Officer.

On the Udu monarch’s entourage were: Chief Eddie Ono-Sorhue, Chief Henry Sakpra, Chief Austin Emaduku, Engr. Alex Neyin and High Chief D. S. Oye Onatomre, the Adeh of Udu Kingdom.

The host community, Ovwian, was represented by Mr Dele Okuku, President-General of Ovwian Community; Deacon Tony Nigu, spokesman of Ovwian Community; Mr Williams Oghi, Secretary of the Elder Council, Ovwian; and Chief Diamond Egbe

ta, Chairman of the Ovwian Elders Council.