₦airaland Forum

NEPC, Edo Eye $35bn Int’l Oil Palm Market, Hold Capacity Building For Producers, Processors

The Edo State Government in collaboration with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), will hold a one-day training for producers and processors of oil palm in the state to improve their capacity for post-harvest handling of the produce so as to tap the $35 billion international oil palm market.

Senior Special Assistant to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Investment Promotion, Mr. Kelvin Uwaibi, said the training will hold on Tuesday, October 2, in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

He explained that the training will focus on “Modern cultivation techniques for increased production and improved yields, as well as Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in the post-harvest handling and processing of oil palm for export and domestic consumption.”

Uwaibi noted that the capacity training is to enable the state tap from the $35 billion international oil palm market while deepening the implementation of the federal government’s ‘Zero Oil Plan’ in Edo State.

He said the Zero Oil Plan is designed to diversify the country from reliance on crude oil and that the training will position Edo State to utilise oil palm, which enjoys a category ‘A’ status in the plan to grow its economy and improve exports.

According to him “the capacity building training will assist the producers and processors of oil palm to improve their yields. Oil palm is a Category ‘A’ product in the ‘Zero Oil Plan’ and trades at an average of $35 billion annually at the international market with Nigeria target share of the market at 5 percent amounting to $1.8 billion.

He said that with the huge potential in the oil palm market, it becomes important that production is scaled up to meet rising demand at the export market which requires high-quality processing in line with global value addition standards.

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Edo Govt Secures Electricity License For Benin Industrial Park, As Obaseki Berates BEDC

... Chinese firm mulls investment

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has said the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved a license for the state government to generate and use electricity in its offices as well as in the proposed Benin Industrial Park (BIP), after the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) frustrated its efforts.

At the commissioning of the 1X60MVA, 132/33KV Power Transformer at the Okpella Transmission Substation in Etsako East Local Government Area, Edo State, the governor expressed delight with the approval by NERC, noting that the nod gives it the clearance to work with its partners such as the Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure Project and others, in delivering electricity to street lights, government offices and the Benin Industrial Park. He said the new power transformer by TCN in Okpella will improve electricity supply in Edo North axis of the state.

He noted, “The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) frustrated effort by this government to create alternative source of electricity. The company’s regrettable actions led us to seek the license, to ensure that we get the required power mix to light up government offices and the other projects which it will serve. The approval of the license has further prompted a partnership with a Chinese Company that have identified interest to partner with us to develop our industrial park as they are sending 20 engineers to the state next month.”

The governor commended the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for building the 1X60MVA, 132/33KV Power Transformer at the Okpella Transmission Substation in Etsako East Local Government Area, noting that the gesture has sparked off a revolution in Edo State and Nigeria.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for critical investment in the power sector, adding, “As Minister of Petroleum, the President built our core petroleum industry and as Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), he carried out major infrastructure investments in the country. In the last three years, President Muhammadu Buhari has tried to rebuild the core infrastructure of Nigeria. If every Nigerian leader is like the president, Nigeria would have developed than its present stage.”

Chairman, NERC, Prof. James Momoh commended the collaboration between Governor Obaseki and the TCN, which led to the realisation of the project, noting that the project will have significant impact in the lives of the people.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, TCN, Mr. Usman Mohammed said the project is in line with the Transmission, Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme (TREP), of the President Buhari's administration.

“TCN is implementing the project to stabilise, expand and provide infrastructure consistent with international standard N-1 reliability criterion. I urge the distribution companies to invest in rehabilitation and expansion of their network.”

The Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, represented by Luck Obalo, expressed appreciation to governor Obaseki, TCN, other agencies and stakeholders for their efforts in ensuring the people of the area get electricity.

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L-R: Otaru of Auchi, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aliru Momoh; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Prof. James Adeche Momoh and Project Manager, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Oommen Thomas; during the commissioning of the 1X60MVA, 132/33KV Power Transformer at the Okpella Transmission Substation in Etsako East Local Government Area, Edo State.

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The Edo State Government has strengthened partnership with stakeholders in the state’s tourism and hospitality sector, to ensure a smooth outing for the 2018 Edo Festival of Arts and Culture (EDOFEST).

Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Mr. Osaze Osemwegie-Ero, disclosed this after the stakeholders’ meeting held at the Edo Innovation Hub, in Benin City, noting that the state government is putting plans in place to ensure a successful hosting of the festival.

He said the stakeholders in the sector must be carried along and kept abreast of activities lined up for the 2018 EDOFEST so that they can contribute to the programme, noting, “Hospitality business plays an important role in the successful hosting of such events, as transporters and hoteliers will provide mobility and accommodation, respectively, for the tourists when they visit the state.”

“It is important that we meet and inform them about the need for good customer service and safety. We discussed the security of the guests and the need for them to partner with the state government on the programme,” he added

Osemwegie-Ero noted, “I am glad that they are supportive, and we are looking forward to collaborating with them because EDOFEST is not a government thing but an Edo event.”

Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Association of Hotel Proprietors of Edo State, Mr. Roland Osunde, said the association was ready to partner with the state government to ensure a successful hosting of the 2018 edition of EDOFEST.

According to him, “The association sees the festival as a viable tool to promote the rich cultural heritage of Edo people. We are optimistic that EDOFEST will be successful, going by the deliberations we have been having with the ministry.”

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Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Mr. Osaze Osemwegie-Ero (middle); Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Association of Hotel Proprietors of Edo State, Mr. Roland Osunde (3rd right), and other stakeholders after the stakeholders’ meeting at the Edo Innovation Hub, in Benin City, Edo State.

As part of efforts to boost capacity of entrepreneurs to scale their businesses, the Edo State Government has organised a one-day business clinic focusing on strategies for business expansion and access to finance.

The programme is organised by the Ministry of Wealth Creation, Cooperatives and Employment and Office of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Special Duties and Social Enterprise, and will hold on Friday, September 21.

In a statement, Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Cooperatives and Employment, Hon. Emmanuel Usoh, said the clinic tagged ‘Edo Business Conclave 2018,’ will take place at the Imaguero College Hall, Sapele Road, in Benin City, the state capital.

He said the event aims to sensitise business owners on strategies to enhance their business management skills and upscale their returns on investment

Usoh added, “the business clinic will hold in collaboration with Treskaro Systems and Solutions, and will feature talks on: “business etiquette, business legality and taxation, networking and business growth, financial data, analysis and integration, brand building tips/strategies, and access to funding.”

Speakers lined up for the event include Osayi Omokaro, Isimeme White, Tony Omachalu, Baba Ikazoboh and Steve Osawaru,” he said.

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The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has tapped into the Ecological Fund to remedy gully sites in Auchi, Fugar and Agenebode axis in Edo North Senatorial zone of the state.

This is coming after works were completed at the Ewu, Ibore and Queen Ede gully sites carried out by the Edo State Government and its partners.

Addressing journalists at the commissioning of the erosion and flood control projects in Agenebode, Etsako-East Local Government Area of the state, Obaseki, represented by Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Dame Omoua Alonge Oni-Okpaku, said his administration was doing a lot and working with the Federal Government to tackle erosion and flooding across the state.

He said that the state government has completed 18 flood control projects and is mapping out more strategies to mitigate flooding in the state.

Obaseki noted, “We are looking at afforestation and planting of more trees and grasses to prevent erosion and flooding in the state. We have embarked on sensitisation campaigns in flood-prone areas and have also commenced assessment of the damage. We have also started the distribution of relief materials. People should not build on low-lands because the sea-level is rising as a result of climate change.”

At the commissioning, Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, Senator Benjamin Uwujumogu said the projects were executed by the Ecological Fund Office in the Presidency, to control flooding issues in the affected area.

He said over 48 projects are being executed by the Ecological Fund Office to tackle problems of desertification, soil erosion and flooding in the country.

“Before now, the people of Agenebode and environs have been suffering from flooding occasioned by heavy downpours but the Federal Government has brought succour to them by constructing a drain system measuring about 15 meters high,” he said,

The Okumagbe of Uwano Kingdom, Agenebode, His Royal Majesty, Dr. George Oshiapi Egabor, commended the Federal and state governments for tackling the flood problems in the area.

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L-R: Representative of Edo State Governor and Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Dame Omoua Alonge Oni-Okpaku; Personal Assistant to Senator Francis Alimikhena, Christopher Amidu; Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Ecological and Climate Change, Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu; and the Director, Soil, Erosion and Flood Control, Ecological Fund Office, Engr. Felix Okeke, at the commissioning of the Erosion Control Project, in Agenebode, Etsako-East Local Government Area, Edo State.

Obaseki’s Land Reforms: EDOGIS Assures Of Seamless Service, As Landowners Throng Agency

Managing Director, Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS), Architect Francis Osa Evbuomwan has assured landowners in the state that the agency is now open for seamless service to members of the public, noting that it is now mandatory to re-certify “all old C-of-Os and convert them to new digital C-of-Os to prevent duplication, multiple, fake or forged certificates.”

The EDOGIS is a successor agency to the defunct Ministry of Lands and Survey (previously known as the Lands Bureau), and is responsible for the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy, Governor’s Consent, Mortgage Consent, Lodgment of Surveys, among others.

Speaking to journalists, Evbuomwan said that the state has automated land management for efficiency, noting that landowners would now enjoy seamless services when processing relevant documents.

Stressing that rural communities are required to register communal lands, he said, “All communities are now mandated by the Edo State Lands Administration Law 2018 to register, certify and layout their communal lands before selling same to members of the public. It is now an offence in Edo State to circumvent any of these requirements.”

Arch. Evbuomwan restated the agency’s commitment to deepening land reforms initiated by Governor Godwin Obaseki, especially the approval for drastic reduction in all land-based charges. “Consequently, the price of C-of-Os has been reduced to a minimum of N50,000 only and will be delivered within 30 working days.

“All property owners in Edo State are now required by law to register their properties with EDOGIS in order to facilitate protection of their private properties under the Private Properties Protection Law of Edo State.”

Meanwhile, a cross section of landowners in the state, who spoke at the premises of the agency, said that the seamless service is commendable, lauding Governor Godwin Obaseki for making the process for acquiring land documents transparent.

A landowner, Mr. Osahon Philip, said that the agency has restored faith in the government, especially on land matters, as all the bureaucracies that characterise interfacing with government on such matters have been resolved.

According to him, “I am very happy with what the Governor has done with EDOGIS. Aside the customer friendly service they provide, the transparency of the whole process has made the application for land documents easy and fast.”

Mr. Emmanuel Enabulele, on his part, commended the use of automated processes for calculating the cost for processing documents, noting that the innovation would fast-track the application process and reduce human contact, which often leads to corruption.

He said, “I am surprised at the speed. It is a welcome development. This is how every government agency should run.”

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The Edo State Government has unveiled plans to leverage on the growing investor confidence in the state to grow tourist traffic with the repackaged Edo Festival of Arts and Culture (EDOFEST).

Commissioner of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Mr. Osaze Osemwegie-Ero said this on Monday at the press conference in Benin City, to announce plans for the 2018 edition of EDOFEST.

According to Osemwegie-Ero, the event with the theme: “Harnessing Arts and Culture for Sustainable Economic Development,” will put on the world stage, the rich cultural heritage of the people of the state and attract a large array of tourists to the state to explore the rich cultural heritage of the state.

“Edo State is deeply rooted in culture. The arts of Benin Kingdom are a global brand. Benin artefacts are among the most exquisite and coveted in the world history and represent the earliest civilisation among blacks, specially Africans,” he added.

The commissioner listed the activities lined up for the 2018 EDOFEST as carnival parade, theatre show, food and fashion exhibition and a gala/ awards night.

Assuring that the 2018 outing will build on the success of last year’s edition, he said the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration places high premium on the culture and tourism sector.

He told journalists that a tourism masterplan currently being developed by the state government would spell out the roles of all stakeholders in the development of the sector to unleash the socio-economic benefits which the sector holds.

He further said that several tourist sites have been identified across the state and discussions with investors are ongoing to develop the sites and take advantage of the prevailing investors-friendly climate in the state.


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L-R: Engr. Omoregie Godwin Eki; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Neo Media and Marketing, Ehi Braimah; Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Mr. Osaze Osemwegie-Ero; Member, Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Foly Ogedegbe; and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Sam Aigbirio, at the press conference to announce plans for the 2018 edition of EDOFEST, in Benin City, on Monday, September 17, 2018.

Obaseki’s Land Reform: EDOGIS Opens For Business, Assures On Customer-Friendly Services

Managing Director, Edo Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS), Arch. Frank Evbuomwan, has said the agency will open for business to members of the public, from Monday, September 17, assuring of world class customer-friendly service.

Evbuomwan, in a chat with journalists, said EDOGIS has deployed a fully automated root-to-leaf system to collect, collate, verify and digitise all geospatial data and is responsible for issuing Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O).

He said individuals and groups who have reasons to transact business with the agency are advised to visit EDOGIS, located at No. 102 Sapele Road, by former Water Board Building, Benin City.

According to him, “EDOGIS is the successor government agency to the erstwhile Ministry of Lands and Surveys (later known as Lands Bureau) and is the only government agency charged with the responsibility for land administration, management, registrations, geo-mapping and surveys, in Edo State in accordance with the Edo State Land Administration and Geographic Information Service Law, 2018 and as stipulated in the Land Use Act 1990 (Section 4b).

He said the issuance of C-of-Os would transform the economy, noting “The state government now recognises your ownership of land; a third-party can no longer claim the land. This would make it easy to conduct land transactions, whether you want to use it to raise finance from the bank, sell or lease it. There is reliable information available now for investors. This will drive up the ease of doing business in the state.”

Evbuomwan explained said the streamlined approach to land administration will solve land-related communal clashes, especially when every community registers their land. “Everyone will know the extent of their land and as the community decides to dispose of their land either by selling or by leasing, the necessary information will be recorded in our servers. With this, we will be able to provide you with real time, accurate data on the land.”

The Edo State Government has rescheduled the two-day National Planning Workshop for Flood Emergency Response and Management for September 17 and 18.

The government is organising the workshop in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Early Warning Mechanism for Nigeria.

In a statement, the state government said the workshop, themed Building Flood Resistant Communities, will hold at the Government House and will help in synergising with development partners on strategies to avert diseases arising from flooding.

The event will feature a number of issues on flooding and disaster management, including update on the states’ efforts to mitigate flood incidents; review of the 2018 Seasonal Rainfall prediction; and take a look at the 2018 Annual Flood Outlook.

The workshop will also set up a technical committee on vulnerability assessment of the states.

Expected at the event are state governors, state commissioners of relevant ministries; chairmen of local governments; recognised traditional rulers; international organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), stakeholders in emergency management, research centres and institutions of higher learning.

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Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (middle); Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Cooperatives and Employment (right); Chairman, Board of Trustees, Edo State Chapter of the Association of Hotel Proprietors, Mr. Roland Osunde (left), during a courtesy visit to the governor, at the Government House, Benin City, Edo State.

Hotel Owners In Edo Rally Support For Obaseki’s Seaport, Industrial Park, Other Projects

…target growing tourist traffic


Hotel owners in Edo State have thrown their weight behind the efforts of Governor Godwin Obaseki to industrialise the state, and have begun positioning themselves to take their share of the resulting tourist traffic.

Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Association of Hotel Proprietors, Edo State chapter, Mr Roland Osunde, who led members of the association on a courtesy visit to the governor, in Benin City, saluted the governor’s bold steps in transforming the state's economy.

Specifically, Mr Osunde said the development of the Benin River Port in Gelegele would boost tourist traffic in the state and impact positively on the hospitality and tourism sectors as well as the larger economy of the state.

He explained that his association is a major player in the hospitality sector and a major employer of labour in the state, with over 1700 workers across the 18 local government areas.

Mr. Osunde assured the governor of his association’s readiness to contribute to the state government’s efforts at diversifying the economy and improve the wellbeing of Edo people and residents.

In his response, the Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, assured his guests of more support for their business as work on a master plan for the tourism sector is in progress.

The governor noted that as more investment deals are executed in the state, traffic in the tourism and hospitality sector would increase.

“Economic activities in the hospitality sector have been impacted significantly by the policies of the government, hence it is our decision to grow the industry but we cannot do it alone, we need your support.

“We see a lot of business traffic in the state as a result of the ongoing industrialisation drive by this administration and we see you as our biggest beneficiaries,” Obaseki said.

He maintained that when work on the tourism master plan is finalised, the hotel owners would benefit immensely from the boom that the sector will record.


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Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (middle); Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Cooperatives and Employment (2nd right); Chairman, Board of Trustees, Edo State Chapter of the Association of Hotel Proprietors, Mr. Roland Osunde (2nd left); Secretary of the board, Engr. Sunday Idada (left); and board member, Mrs. Esther Aderibigbe (right), during a courtesy visit to the governor, at the Government House, Benin City, Edo State.

Edo people have applauded Governor Godwin Obaseki for sealing deals with Chinese companies for the development of the Benin River Port, Benin Industrial Park and a modular refinery, all of which will transform the state to an industrial hub.

The investment agreements for the projects were completed by the Edo State government on the sidelines of the 2018 the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing. The agreement further consolidates the existing relationship between China and Edo State and deepens trade and investment relations between both parties.

A cross-section of residents in Benin City, the state capital, in separate interviews, described the big-ticket projects as crucial to the state’s development and a major milestone in the quest to steer the state away from reliance on unsustainable accruals from crude oil proceeds.

Mr. John Ogieva, a benin resident, said that with the agreements, the governor has demonstrated that he means business and has inched closer to fulfilling his promise to transform the state into an industrial hub.

“Before now, I dismissed promises made by the governor to build a modular refinery, Benin River Port and the Industrial Park, as remarks to score political points. But, as it has become Governor Obaseki's trademark since assuming office, he doesn’t disappoint. He has demonstrated to us that he means business.”

A businessman, Mr. Uyi Osabo, said, “The deal with the Chinese companies is a quantum leap and is sure to set the state on the path to more prosperity.

According to Osabo, “With the port, industrial park and modular refinery in place, I see more businesses springing up, wealth and more prosperity for us all. I see Edo becoming bigger than Lagos in Nigeria. To be sincere, I can’t wait to see all these happen.”

Speaking to journalists at the Nigerian Embassy in Beijing, China, after signing the investment agreement on the development of the Benin River Port, Governor Obaseki said the agreement includes the building of a port on the Benin River, dredging of the river which is a channel of about 40 kilometres and the construction of a link road to the Benin bye-pass.

He explained that the Benin River, when completed, will link the Lekki Deep Seaport, help decongest the ports in Lagos State, open up Edo State to the international market by serving as a platform for import and export trade.

He added that the construction of the Benin River Port would also provide opportunities to export agricultural and manufactured products being produced in the state.

“We are investing massively in agriculture particularly in areas like oil palm, rubber, cassava, fruits and all range of agricultural produce which need to be processed and exported outside the country.

“There are companies operating in the state and are seeking to export their products. The port will provide opportunity not only to export agricultural produce but also some of the products that are now being manufactured in our area,” Obaseki added.

The Benin Industrial Park is expected to create over 170,000 direct and indirect jobs on completion, and will be home to over 1000 companies and will generate an excess of over $3 billion annually.

Before departing Benin City for China, Obaseki approved the release of N700 million for the Benin Refinery project, as part of her contribution to the project.

A beneficiary of the Federal Government Social Investment Programme, N-Power, in Edo State, Mrs. Haruna Fausat has completed a 4-week intensive training programme on basic fashion design, bag and shoemaking for 42 students, drawn from six Junior Secondary Schools in Benin City.

The training programme themed: “The Importance of Skill Acquisition for the Girl Child in the 21st Century," had female students from girls-only schools in the state, including Imaguero, Emotan, Idia, Oredo, Oba Ewuare Grammar schools and a number of Combined Junior Secondary Schools.

In a welcome address, the Edo State Focal Person on National Social Investments Programme, Ms. Abieyuwa Aladeshelu, noted that Mrs. Haruna Fausat, was among the 4,701 beneficiaries in the 2016 batch of N-Power, deployed to the state.

Aladeshelu, who was represented by Head of Monitoring and Evaluation of the scheme in the state, Mr. Asemota Festus, said “In the second batch of the N-Power Programme which kicked off in December 2017, out of the 300,000 beneficiaries who have been enlisted for the programme across the country, 6,610 beneficiaries were allocated to Edo State.”

She commended the organiser of the skill acquisition programme, Mrs. Haruna for her foresight in contributing to the empowerment of the girl-child through skills acquisition, noting that the training has equipped the students with skills to be self reliant.

Mrs. Haruna expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for the initiative, which has created opportunity for her to contribute her quota to the development of the society.

She said since her deployment as beneficiary of the N-Power Programme, this was the third training she has organised, adding that certificates can no longer sustain one considering global trends where hands-on skills are required to provide solutions to daily human challenges.

“I want to thank the girls for making themselves available for the training. If not for them I would not have the opportunity to contribute my quota as N-Power beneficiary. I want to also thank their parents for allowing their children to be part of the programme,” she added.

The guest speaker, Mrs. Sarah Ohenhen, noted that skill acquisition gives the girl child an extra edge, ability and confidence to stand out and contribute to the development of the society. She urged the the girls to make the best use of the skills they have acquired.

Akingbuda Joy, who benefitted from the training, praised the organiser for her efforts in impacting the knowledge on them and promised to utilise the skills effectively.

Gov Obaseki Breaking New Grounds, Attracting Foreign Investment To Edo State - Osagie

… says he hopes Orbih will be a free man to benefit from projects

The Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie, has said that the state is on the march towards more prosperity with the recent investment deals signed with Chinese investors in Beijing, China.

Osagie noted that while the deals further validate the commitment of Obaseki's administration to industrialise the state, he explained that "on the flip side, the deals in China have dealt a final blow to the lies and falsehood peddled over time, by members of the dying Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)."

The governor's aide said: "After several rounds of engagements with Chinese investors, Edo people received the heart-warming news few days ago, of the successful signing of the investment agreements on all three big ticket investments; the Benin Industrial Park, Benin River Port in Gelegele and the modular refinery projects which were successfully signed in Beijing, China, on the sidelines of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC)."

He added that since the signing of the final investment agreement with the Chinese investors, "Governor Godwin Obaseki, senior officials in his administration and well-meaning Edo people in their millions, residents and friends of the state, have been basking in the euphoria of the prospect of a state on its way to more prosperity.

"Unfortunately, some elements within the dying Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who have a brush with the law for alleged fraud, may be behind bars when these projects come on stream."

According to Osagie, "At various social gatherings of Edo progressives in the state and in the diaspora, the investment agreements with the Chinese companies have dominated discussions.

"While torrents of goodwill messages and phone calls are being exchanged across the world by people who believe in our dear state and the leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki, many are toasting to what experts describe as an action that will turn Edo State from a landlocked state to one of Nigeria's gateways to the international market."

He explained that "The combined impact of an industrial park, a seaport and a refinery will undo the drag in our socio-economic development, which has held us down for decades."

"While we await the congratulatory message of the Chairman of the Edo State chapter of the dying Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Dan Orbih, on this great feat that will benefit all Edo people, we urge him to salute the Godwin Obaseki-led administration's triumph in an area - industrialisation - where the dying Edo PDP failed abysmally," he said.

He assured that "The industrialisation of Edo State is a task that the Obaseki administration is committed to and we are reclaiming all the opportunities we missed under the self-serving PDP administration in Edo State."

Osagie emphasised that "Never again will Edo people allow charlatans like Dan Orbih, Chris Nehikhare and their co-travellers access to power and reverse our progress."

On the fraud allegation case against Orbih, Osagie said: "I wish Chief Dan Orbih a great day in court soon, as he faces justice over his N700 million fraud case and I hope he will be a free man to enjoy the benefits of an industrialised Edo State."

Source: http://thebellng.com/gov-obaseki-breaking-new-grounds-attracting-foreign-investment-to-edo-state-osagie/


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Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki (Sitting in middle) with representative of Peiyang Chemical Equipment Company of China (PCC) (right); and representative of Tianjin University, China, (left) during the signing of an agreement in Beijing China to establish a Chemical Engineering programme in a university in Edo State.

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Representative of Edo State Governor and Chief of Staff, Chief Taiwo Akerele (right), at the one-day Roundtable on Behavioural Insights and Policy Making in Nigeria towards the Fight Against Corruption, organised by the African Network for Environmental and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), in conjunction with the UKAID and ActionAid Nigeria, in Abuja.