HOW THE OBASEKI ADMINISTRATION IS TURNING EDO INTO AN INDUSTRIAL HUB AND MAKING THE STATE AN INVESTMENT DESTINATION THROUGH HIS INNOVATIVE POLICIES ANDINSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRIDES

Popularly known as the heartbeatof the nation, Edo state is historically an international trading hub andinvestment destination in West Africa. As far back as the 16thcentury, Benin had diplomatic relations with Portugal, an offshoot of traderelations with the European powerhouse at the time. It is safe to say that theold Benin Empire, with its paved city streets and world-class craftsmen, hasbeen attracting foreign investment long before the term was even defined assuch.
In recent times however the statehas seen her economy dwindle to the point where Edo indigenes have gainednotoriety for trafficking of young men and women to Europe to engage incriminal activity. This is not unconnected to the fact that the state had seena decline in investments while existing businesses and industrial enterprisesclosed shop, with a ripple effect on support businesses.

The administration of “Wake andSee Governor” Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, took over the state at a critical the point in time when revenues were in decline due to the collapse of oil pricesand Nigeria’s economic recession, and had the herculean task of creatingopportunities for the people of the state. The governor had the task ofcreating opportunities for the youth of the state to be engaged productivelyback home rather than seeking greener pastures in other climes.In his quiet revolutionary style,“Governor wake and see” set about his job setting about his task by creatingthe institutional reforms that would spur investment and also empower citizensof the state to invest and grow their existing businesses. The state keyed intothe ease of doing business drive of the federal government and took it a stepfurther by ensuring that key performance indices were set for importantagencies to streamline their administrative processes.A few years back, the global techleader and now development expert, Bill Gates, had argued that the governmentof Nigeria needed to prioritize human development if the country was to makeany progress. Mr. Gates had posited that the country needed to drive greaterinvestment in health and education as a panacea for economic development. BillGates might have been advising the government to look at the example of Edo the state as the Obaseki administration has anchored the longterm competitivenessof the state on a comprehensive reform of education and healthcare delivery tothe people of the state.In the Health they say is wealthand governor Obaseki has taken this statement beyond the realm of theorizingand made it a reality, creating the Edo Health Insurance Scheme and theimplementation of the Edo Health Improvement Programme (EdoHIP), which has seena revamping of the hitherto practically nonexistent primary healthcare system.The Edo BEST has been acknowledged both locally and internationally as themost comprehensive and fast-paced educational reform in the history of Nigeria,having addressed infrastructure and pedagogy in one fell swoop. The EdoGovernment Science and Technical College has also received a facility overhaul,including a 33kv line from the Azura Power Plant and a 45mbps fiber optic, the system installed to connect the school with the world.As an experienced internationalinvestment banker, Governor Obaseki understood that one of the most importantfactors of production island and its ease of acquisition and titling is key toattracting productive investment to the state. The state created the EdoGeographic Information System (EDOGIS), with a mandate to consolidate landadministration, management, registration and geographical mapping in the state,replacing the old Ministry of Lands. EDOGIS made the process of registration oftitles a seamless process, as moved the chunk of the process online and madethe charges more transparent, thereby removing much of the corruptionassociated with land acquisition and titling in the past.

The Obaseki administration wasalso quick to identify electricity as another major enabler of a betterbusiness environment and wasted no time in making unprecedented strides in thesector. The 1billion dollars Azura Power Plant came into the state, while the state government has also entered into a Power Purchase Agreement with theOssiomo power over the development of a 55 megawatts power plant to serve theBenin City Industrial Zone.
In the beverage manufacturing the sector, Guinness made 8.5billion naira investment in the state, while NigeriaBottling Company also made the expansion of its investment by about 600million USDollars. In the cement manufacturing, both the Dangote and BUA groups have alsomade investments of 1billion and 600million dollars respectively, due in nosmall measure to the enabling environment created by the visionary Obasekiadministration.
The state is on course to becomethe investment destination of choice over the coming years, as the dividends ofthe long-term investments in education, health, and infrastructure begin tocatalyze into major global and local brands making major commitments offinances and expertise in the state. Indeed the foresight of Governor Obasekihas repositioned Edo state to become a major player in attracting investmentsand creating job opportunities for her teeming and bustling youthfulpopulation.

Please, correct the headline, which one is husband again? are you trying to say hub?

You don't need to talk much. It is already visible to the blind the great impart of your administration in our beloved state. I hope you get your second tenure come September.

Prostitution and Cultism no be work.

obaseki was able to stabilize some fantastic industries in Benin, the Benin local airline working good, busses meatainace are notable, forget about political protest in the states for some time now , we all know obaseki has been doing great in paying senior citizens salaries @ pensions and civil workers in the state. local government chairman and workers were not left out ..

GOD BLESS OBASEKI

Lie lie go kill you