By OKOSUN EHINON ROBERT

There is a thin line between a political component, and an economic component of a society. Both need each other to form an almost perfect society. Having a concrete knowledge on how the political perspective of a country and state should be properly managed is very important, but having a concrete knowledge on how the economic perspective of a country and state should be properly managed is more important. The political perspective of a country entails, the constitution, the electoral processes, the various arms of Government, the exclusive, residual and concurrent list, the geographical and constituent structure and the ethnicity of the citizens. The economic perspective of a country entails, variables and components that can increase the gross domestic product and enhance her economic growth and development. These variables and components include the provision of security, health care, channeled roads, transportation and power. These variables are very essential to meeting the economic growth, and development objectives of a country.
It is so hapless that, the political holders in Nigeria are not well abreast with the importance of managing the political sphere, and the economic sphere simultaneously, especially the economic sphere. When the variables that can enhance the economic objectives of a country, are provided and properly managed, then the standard of living of citizens in that country will Improve. There is a need to combine ‘’technocracy with statesmanship’’ and I can confidently say, Governor Godwin Obaseki has done that to some extent. I repeat to some extent.

When politicians in Nigeria campaign and tell you that, they will provide over 90 percent of employment, or tell you they will build 90 percent of industries, or they will diversify the economy as swiftly as possible, please don’t be deceived, because Government all over the world do not have the will power and funds to do that, even if the country is a socialist or a communist state, the only thing they can do is to provide an enabling environment to accommodate both foreign and domestic direct investment. China, who is one of the leading socialist and communist country in the world, has seen the need to provide an enabling environment for foreign and domestic investment, in order to provide a form of public and private partnership. The major components of this enabling environment as I have stated earlier consists of; enhanced security, channeled roads that can link raw materials to industries, industries to warehouses, and warehouses to final consumers, constant electricity supply, good health care and a good educational system, so once a government can provide over 70 percent of these components, I assure you, the value of foreign and domestic investment that will pour into a country or a state will be enormous. Governor Godwin Obaseki, who is an economic and financial technocrat has seen the importance of providing these components, and in the first four years of his administration has to some extent, provided some of these components and he is working assiduously in providing more of these components, that can enhance the economic growth and development of Edo state and improve on the standard of living of Edolites.

Governor Obaseki, for the last four years has reiterated his commitment to make Edo state a commercial and industrial hub, and He has been backing his commitment through some economic actions that can aid his administration meet its economic goals and objectives.

The World is transiting into an information era, and the Governor Obaseki administration has seen the need to establish information technology in public primary schools, which is very important. Some public schools use mini computers in form of tablets to teach students in class rooms, which centers on easy access to the internet for teachers to get information that can aid their teaching techniques. In any society, education is key, and it can improve the societal functions and flexibility. Microsoft, IBM, Apple and Amazon was founded on the basis of education, which has enhanced the growth of the American economy. It is true, that Governor Obaseki has not touched all areas of the school system, but it all boils down to the availability of funds. The Edo state Government has proposed a strategy that can improve on the educational system of Edo state which is called the Edo BEST. Through this initiative, every primary school teacher now has a phone tablet which they can use to teach their students efficiently and effectively. Thousands of teachers, both in the public primary and secondary schools have been trained, in order to impact knowledge on the students. The Government science and technical college was abandoned for many years, but the college has almost be completed in order to train students who wish to indulge in scientific research, and innovations.

The establishment of an industrial hub in different part of the state has been on the forefront of Governor Obaseki’s agenda. The state is expected to be the industrial hub and capital of the South South region, through the creation of clusters and free trade zones for commercial activities, thereby making the Edo state economy more liberalized.

The establishment of the Edo Modular refinery, through the public and private partnership agreement has seen the Edo state Government invest a capital of 700 million naira giving the Edo people a minority stake in the company. The partnership was entered with AIPCC limited, a Chinese company that deals in energy services. The project is 95 percent complete mechanically, and it is situated at Ologbo, once it is fully completed it is expected to refine 6000barrels of crude oil per day and meet the needs of Edo people and Nigeria as a whole. This project is important for the economy of Edo state, as it will increase the free and perfect competitive market economy status of Edo state, which is concerned with businesses, connected with energy services. This is expected to provide employment opportunities for the Edo people, and it is expected to rake in a revenue of 125 million dollars yearly, which will add to the GDP of Edo state.

In the aspect of Power, the Edo state administration, led by Godwin Obaseki knows the importance of power to business activities. The 55 megawatts CCETC- Ossiomo independent power plant has been established, and it is expected to provide electricity for all Government buildings in Benin city and for households and commercial businesses in Sapele road in order to ease economic, and business operational activities. Through, this power plant, more megawatts will be provided, so as to provide constant electricity for Edo State.

The economy of any country need Skilled, semi- Skilled and unskilled workers to function effectively. For example, without Labourers buildings would not be erected, and these set of individuals belong to the unskilled category, also without Shoe makers and tailors, there will be unavailability of shoes and clothes, and without, Accountants, financial records would not be kept properly. The Edo State government has seen the plight of Edo youths who have not been able to secure a good paying job, and has introduced the EDO JOBS initiative that is meant to enable the youths to acquire Semi- Skills that can make them independent financially and contribute their quota to the state. A lot of Youths have been trained in Cosmetology, Tailoring, Fishery, Farming, Soap making etc. and this has provided a form of Blue collar jobs for them.

The reason why Lagos is the most industrialized and commercial city in Nigeria is as a result of the presence of the Apapa Sea Port. Edo State has a Sea Port, which is the GeleGele Sea Port, but it has been underutilized over the years. The Portuguese even came into Benin, through the GeleGele Sea Port. The Governor Obaseki led administration has seen the importance of having a Sea port in the State, and has created a Bent, that can make the Sea assessable. The importance of having a Sea Port in the state, is that it can promote all forms of Trade, either domestic or Foreign trade, which can increase the revenue of the Federal and state Government through the payment of excise duties and promote the importation and exportation of raw materials and finished Goods within and outside the country, which can lead to increased commercialization and industrialization, through foreign and domestic direct investment.

The building of accessible roads is very important, and these can enhance the business activities, commercialization and industrialization drive of Edo state. Governor Obaseki has built at least one or two roads in all the one hundred and ninety-two wards of Edo state. I stated earlier that the availability of accessible roads is very important, because it aids in the sourcing of raw materials through road transportation for production, and also aids in the distribution of semi finished or finished goods and services to customers, thereby enhancing commercial activities.

Governor Godwin Obaseki has been implementing the economic plan, his administration has for Edo state for the past four years, and it has put Edo State in a nice Economic shape, and has attracted some form of investments from within the country and Abroad. The markets of Edo state has become a Free Market which has been liberalized as a result of some of the necessary socio economic components that has been provided by his administration.
Edo state can be one of the most industrialized state in Nigeria, if Governor Obaseki is re elected for another four years. Edolites still need the technocratic prowess of Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Please, vote Governor Godwin Obaseki, so that, together with our resourceful and creative Governor, We can complete the tasks that can put Edo state on the Economic map of Nigeria.