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Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has congratulated the Kachikwu family over the conferment of Ochiligwe of Onicha-Ugbo and Ezinne Oligbo on Barr. Mrs. Josephine Ada Kachikwu, describing the honours as well deserved.

Speaking at the conferment ceremony of the chieftaincy titles, in Issele-Uku, Delta State, Obaseki said that Mrs. Ada Kachikwu, who is the stepmother of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, has over the years contributed to her immediate community and exhibited exemplary qualities that marked her out for the titles.


According to him, “the double titles show that she has a unique personality. This is not forgetting that her husband, late Justice Francis Okafor Kachikwu was a prominent Jurist in the defunct Bendel State and Nigeria, and they both impacted and touched lives.”

Obaseki added that Mrs Kachikwu provided support to her husband throughout his successful career and even when her husband died, she continued to champion the cause of her community. “This tells of her character and commendable personality. We are happy to be here to celebrate her," he said.

Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, eulogised Mrs Kachikwu’s outstanding life of service to humanity, noting that she was a mother to all. "We are happy with her, as her service to her community has earned her double chieftaincy titles by two communities here in Delta State. It is wonderful to have this kind of honour."

Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu said Barr. Mrs. Ada Kachikwu is a wonderful, committed, dedicated woman, who though married his father at the age of 18, was adept at managing home chores and many other maternal responsibilities of her step-children.

He said her determination saw her achieve her dreams of being a midwife, lawyer and later a politician, which she used to positively to touch lives.

He said the story of Nigeria will not be properly told until we are united, irrespective of our political affiliation, noting that it was important to tolerate one another as citizens of the country. “The earlier we rise against sentiment and live as one and united people, the better for us," he added.

http://thebellng.com/obaseki-okowa-ibori-celebrate-with-the-kachikwus/

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L-R: Former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu; and his wife, Mrs. Betty Kachikwu, during the conferment of chieftaincy title on Chief Josephine Ada Kachikwu, in Issele-Uku, Delta State, at the weekend.

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Chairman, Administrative Panel of Inquiry into the Clash between some Policemen and Civilians at Upper Igun Area, Retired Justice Joseph Olubor, with the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, after presenting the panel’s report to the governor, at the Government House in Benin City, Edo State, on Wednesday, March 28, 2018.

…Negligence, Illegal siphoning caused Ugbor gas explosion in Edo - Panel

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that a white paper on the report of the Investigative Panel on the youths/police clash in upper Igun Area, in Benin City, will be issued in 30 days' time.

Obaseki disclosed this when he received report of the panel led by Retired Justice Joseph Olubor, at the Government House in Benin City, Edo State.

He said, “Within the next 30 days, we will go through the report and issue a white paper on the issue. We are committed to the well-being and safety of our people. We will get to the bottom of this report and take the necessary action to ensure justice is done in the matter. I assure you that this report will not be left in the shelf.”

Obaseki added, “Sometimes, it is not easy to get to the truth of issues of this magnitude, but we have no choice but to select credible and intelligent people to help us get the truth out.”

Chairman of the panel, retired President of Customary Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Joseph Olubor, said, “26 witnesses appeared before the panel to give evidence on the incident. The numbers reveal how members of the public are ready to assist the panel in its work to get the truth of what happened on that day."

Meanwhile, the Investigative Panel on Ugbor Gas explosion has revealed that the incident was caused by negligence and illegal siphoning of gas at the gas station.

Chairman, Administrative Panel of Inquiry on the Incident of Gas Explosion at Ugbor, Justice Peter Isibor, made the revelation when the panel submitted its report to Governor Obaseki, at the Government House in Benin City.

Justice Isibor said, “Findings of the panel revealed that the three victims who died due to the gas explosion were staff of the gas station whose proprietor is one Mr. Idemudia Osagie, while a trainee with the station was admitted for 23-degree burns."

"The panel also gathered that the three staff members who died from the explosion did not heed to the station manager’s instruction not to tamper with the gas installation within the premises. They went ahead to siphon gas from the plant for their personal use. The explosion was triggered when a generator set was switched on to enable them siphon the gas,” he said.

Isibor said the gas plant was illegally set up, as the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) revealed that the station has no permission and licence to operate. At the time of the explosion, the station lacked water hydrant and gas detector as precautionary measures.”

Governor Obaseki said the report will be passed on to the Secretary to the State Government to develop policies that will regulate the activities of gas stations in the state and prevent similar occurrence in the future.

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Chairman, Administrative Panel of Inquiry into the Gas Explosion Incident at Ugbor, Justice Peter Isibor (left) presenting the panel’s report, to the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, at the Government House in Benin City, on Wednesday, March 28, 2018.

...‘C of O approvals to be granted in 30 days’

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has charged the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, to ensure a 48-hour turn-around time for approval of building plans in the state within the next two months.

Obaseki gave the directive while speaking at a two-day workshop organised by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, themed: "Strengthening the Institutional Framework for Physical Development Management in Edo State, held in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

He also gave 12-month ultimatum to the Edo Geographical Information Agency, to ensure that Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) and Rights to Occupancy are issued to applicants within 30 days of application.

Obaseki said the two-day workshop is organised to develop the expertise of stakeholders and strengthen the institutional framework for physical development and management. He said there was need to re-calibrate the management of the physical infrastructure to make room for well-coordinated urban development.

Noting that development hadn’t been controlled for a long while in the state, he said, “This has contributed to raising a generation that lacks required knowledge on the importance of registering development plans. People need to be educated on the importance of registering their building plans. People just wake up and do what they like, and in the process turn cities into slums,” he said.

Obaseki added, “The focus of this administration is to re-enact and rebuild the physical development and space of the state. There is need to explore the use of legal frameworks to reposition the Urban and Rural landscape of the state. This will assist us in capturing the needs of the people in the state without compromising standards.”

He said his administration has developed well-thought-out plans hinged on six strategic pillars to include institutional reforms, environmental sustainability, culture and tourism among others, adding that the state intends to ensure sanity in urban development.

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L-R: Commissioner for Physical Planning & Urban Development, Hon. Edorodion Oye Erimona; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; and Chairman, Edo State Strategic Planning Team; Prof Julius Ihonvbere, during Workshop on Strengthening the Institutional Framework For Physical Development Management in Edo State, in Benin City.

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L-R: Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, at the Edo State Youth Leadership Summit, in Benin city.

…Youths Urged To Leverage On Opportunities Being Created In Edo State.

Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki has said that three co-developers have signed up for the development of the Benin Industrial Park, as a projected 1000 companies are expected to be hosted at the facility on completion.

Obaseki revealed this while speaking at the Edo State Youth Leadership Summit of 2018 themed: Switch: A Transition in Excellence in Selfless Leadership, held on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at the Precious Palm Royal Hotel, Benin City.

The governor said that his administration is focused on developing and providing opportunities for youths. He added that reforms in the state have created a conducive environment for youths to utilise their potentials and contribute their quota to the development of the state and the nation at large.

Obaseki said his government is implementing policies to create a friendly atmosphere, which is attracting investment that will create the 200,000 jobs he promised Edo people.

“We have huge advantage in Agriculture. Three groups have registered to be co-developers and by October 2019 the first tenant will move in. When the park is ready, we will have over 1,000 companies in that park, generating an excess of $3 billion annually.”

He said the state is building youths’ capacity to exploit opportunities in the state, noting that in the last 16 months, his government has created about 60,000 jobs in Agriculture, infastructure, and industries.

Obaseki commended the leadership style of President Muhammad Buhari, who has kept the country united, adding that the amount of looting perpetrated by previous administration was capable of breaking the nation.

Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, said the administration of President Muhammad Buhari is in a hurry to restore hope in Nigerian youths as they have lost hope in the nation.

“Nigeria remains one of the most resourceful nations in the world in minerals and human capital but dishonesty, disrespect and corruption have kept us in our present position,” Kachikwu said.

He said the government believes in the youths and sees them as the leaders of the nation, hence, is committed to policies that are creating a conducive environment for the youths to utilise their potentials and contribute their quota to the development of the nation.

Kachikwu said the biggest employer of labour is the agricultural sector which the federal and Edo State governments are leveraging on, to build a viable economy.

The CEO of Sahara Energy, Mr. Tonye Cole, called on youths to dream big, as everything needed to excel is within and around.

He said Nigeria is blessed with endless possibilities, calling on the youths to identify their purpose in life, believe in themselves and contribute their quota to the development of the nation.

Source: http://thebellng.com/three-co-developers-sign-up-as-obaseki-projects-1000-companies-for-edo-industial-park/

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L-R: Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Sahara Energy, Mr Tonye Cole; Chairman, Prince Harrison Ehimiyen Foundation, Mr Harrison Ehimiyen; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki; Chief Operating Officer, Refineries, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Engr. Anibor Kragha and Commissioner for Youths and Special Duties, Hon. Mika Amanokha, during the Edo Youth Leadership Summit 2018, in Benin City, Edo State.

Governor Godwin Obaseki for the past one year in office has brought hygiene into politics. While consolidating on what Oshiomhole has done, he has opened more areas of development and economic enhancement to the utmost satisfaction of all Edo people who gave him the mandate. As far as Edo people are concerned, Governor Obaseki is a silent performer, the covenant and promise keeper and a development warrior. The PDP cannot boast of a tenth of the achievements of Obaseki in one year when juxtaposed with their ten rotten years. In one year, Godwin Obaseki has touched on all areas that are encapsulated in the six thematic pillars of this government. From economic revolution to infrastructural development; environmental sustainability, tourism, Arts and Culture.

Godwin Obaseki is even a governor without boundaries as his activities transcend the purview of his duties as governor of Edo State. He came to the rescue of a federal institution, the Irrua Specialist Hospital when Lassa Fever stood sentry with the procurement and supply of health facilities required to arrest the scourge. So, it takes some swallowing when PDP accuses this same governor of some imaginary sin or offence. Governor Obaseki’s zest and determination for work can only be compared with the unbearable passion of Venus and Adonis.

The Benin Sea Port and Industrial Park are some of the efforts of Governor Obaseki that one would expect the PDP to commend. But because they are allergic to development and have been inoculated against work they continue to engage in shameless rant of disinformation. The truth is that PDP has lost it and the party is finished. This explains partly why they boycotted the last local government election in the state for fear of electoral defeat. There is nothing in PDP that can endear them to the hearts of Edo people especially when the people remember their ten wasted years in the governance of the state. PDP can only be remembered for a catastrophic economic management of the state.

Today, the party suffocates through their iniquities. With feeble tongue they speak, with leprous hand they strike and with decomposing body they walk. Haven refused to participate in the just concluded local government election, the PDP has failed to provide veritable opposition to the dominance of the APC and by implication, has succumbed to the developmental strides of Governor Godwin Obaseki. I agree with comrade Adams Oshiomhole when he said that “PDP is dead, and that because PDP died in sin, there is no hope of resurrection.” I liken PDP to the unfortunate child who actually won a lottery but lost the ticket. During these years of locust of PDP misrule in Edo State, there could have been freedom of speech, but freedom after speech was never guaranteed and that hampered the proclivity of Edo people to speak. They introduced a novel form of repression; the informal entrepreneurs of violence. It is a logical summersault if the PDP expects to arrive at God’s destination haven travelled the devil’s express way. It is pertinent to take Edo people down memory lane to see part of the express way PDP chose in their ten unforgettable years of misrule in Edo State.

The Ecological Fund that accrued to Edo State in those years was peculated by PDP and its custodians. The fund meant for the kerosene explosion victims in the state between 2004 and 2006 was privatized by the PDP government which claimed it was lodged in Savanna Bank. Up till this moment, just like the ship of SANTA BABRA, that money is missing without trace and the victims have to live with scars which they must carry from the terrestrial to the celestial. That is man’s inhumanity to man.

For ten years, PDP failed to pay the required Edo State Counterpart Fund for the Universal Basic Education in order to attract Federal Government Fund. PDP plunged N500 million into Ikpoba River in the name of dredging. State sponsored terrorism was at its peak when PDP held sway in Edo State.

The PDP killed education in Edo State with several miracle centres which Comrade Adams Oshiomhole came to rescue.

Compared with the travels embarked upon by Governor Obaseki which are yielding dividends, most journeys the PDP made were either for sporting events, for climbing some mountains or for the purchase of rice even when that could have been done by irrevocable letters of credit. Such were the hedonistic tendencies, primitive accumulation and resource wastage that characterised PDP government in the state.

While Godwin Obaseki is concerned about the dehumanising treatment meted out on Edo people in Libya, under the PDP, through conscious policies, the state actually drove people to desperate solution and they ran to Libya and Europe because the people were actually secondary in their agenda. Unlike the prudent manner Governor Godwin Obaseki allocates resources to achieve optimum benefits for the people, under the PDP, there was social disequilibrium arising from serious economic distortions and resource wastage. The net effect was social dislocation and institutional collapse. At that time, government was not for governance but for looting. Man’s inhumanity to man was the order of the day. Under the PDP, custodians of state power behaved like demented lions in the wilderness. Yet, our woes were endless until the arrival of the ‘AJANAKU,’ killer of ‘AJANA’ Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who organised, fought and dislodged those predators and scavengers who held Edo people captive for ten years.

Today, Edo people can proclaim in Unison “Freedom, Liberty, Tyranny is dead.” Those PDP exploits remain our woes under their government. With these immutable atrocities and life’s account of PDP which is as long as the book “EMILY” the party only deserves communal anathema and nothing more. According to Okot Pitek in his work “SONG OF LAWINO AND SONG OF OKOR” “what proud poem can be written for the vanquished?”

In conclusion, I urge the remnants of PDP who are still obdurate at heart and malevolent in intent to do a rethink, make a detour and join Governor Obaseki in his laudable work for the overall good of Edo State rather than indulge in apocalyptic prognosis. I will leave you with the words of Patrick Wilmot in his book, “The right to rebel,” “All I have attempted to do is to put up the mirror so that you can see its reflections. But if you don’t like what you see, breaking the mirror will do nothing, cutting off my hands will not save situation and even killing me will do less, for the truth of man cannot be dissolved in his blood.”

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria,

Long live Edo State

Long live the All Progressives Congress (APC)



Hon. Paul Ohonbamu

Honourable Commissioner for Communication and Orientation

Edo State

Source: http://thebellng.com/dan-orbih-pdp-and-their-many-failures-in-edo/

In continuation of the payment of pension arrears in the state, the Edo State Government has called on pensioners in batches 41 and 42 to present themselves for physical and documentary verification exercise.

In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary/Chairman, Pension Bureau, Inih-ivibodohu D.S. Juwobor, the state government said the verification exercise for those in batches 41 and 42 will take place at the Imaguero Hall, Benin City on Monday 26th, Tuesday 27th of March 2018.”

Juwobor said those who missed the exercise in the past will be allowed to partake in the exercise so that they can claim their arrears.

According to him, “Pensioners in batches 37, 38, 39 and 40 who failed to participate in previous verification exercise will be verified and screened alongside pensioners in batches 41 and 42.”

He urged the pensioners to check the Office of the Head of Service on Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd March 2018 for the list of pensioners in batches 41 and 42, adding, “Pensioners whose names appeared on the list should go to the venue of the verification exercise with: Pension Authority; Retirement Letter; Letter of First Appointment; Pension I.D. Card; Biometric Slip; and Bank details including bank name and Account Number.”

“At the end of the verification exercise, the outstanding pension arrears will be credited into the pension account of each pensioner, shortly after due process and documentation by the relevant agencies involved in the payment process, are concluded,” he added.

Source: http://thebellng.com/edo-govt-invites-batches-41-42-pensioners-for-verification-payment/

.Will not borrow to ‘dredge’ Ikpoba River, buy water pipes, generators

.Edo PDP needs lessons in public finance

Again, the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demonstrated its ignorance of public finance by what is fast becoming its culture of misrepresenting facts and taking issues out of context.

The latest debt to revenue figures released by the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) in its 2016 Report listed the states, including Edo, Cross River, Osun and Lagos that have exceeded the 50 per cent debt to income guideline of the Debt Management Office.

The Debt to revenue ratio of the Debt Management Office is an advisory and we are aware of its implications.

What the Edo State PDP needs to know is that Governor Godwin Obaseki is a finance expert of international repute and is applying all the state’s resources frugally, in critical areas that are raising the economic profile of the state.

After revealing the role the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party played in raising the debt figures of Edo State, while the party was in power in the state, the party has admitted that their administration obtained loans to procure water pipes and generators for Edo Water Board, that were never installed.

But Governor Obaseki will not spend credit facilities sourced locally or internationally on out-of-use generators and water pipes. We will not use Edo State money to fund the ‘dredging’ of Ikpoba River, only to abandon it after ‘breaking the breakable plate of mammy water’, as claimed by the Edo PDP in their time. That is the height of fiscal irresponsibility!

The Edo PDP asked us to name their members that converted private loans to government debt, but our advice to them is that they need no outsider to show them their corrupt relatives.

They know their members who have been convicted, those who have been charged for various offences bordering on fraud and those who till today still visit the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from time to time.

Edo people appreciate the mess that the APC government has been clearing which include the infamous Edo Line loan that grew to N1.5billion as at the time the governor shut down the company and redeployed the staff to the state ministry, the heart breaking debt incurred by the Edo PDP through Bendel Breweries and other failed ventures.

However, what members of the Edo PDP do not know is that, today, with the number and quality roads that have been constructed by the APC-led government in Edo State, the number of public schools that have been constructed, the ambitious economic projects such as the Benin Industrial Park, Gelegele Seaport, the Edo-Azura power plant, the planned modular refinery in the state, we are the toast of investors and we are well on our way to prosperity. When these and other projects come on stream, our rating in terms of assets will soar and cancel out whatever debt we incurred to build the new Edo State that all our people have yearned for over the years.

Crusoe Osagie is the Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy to the Edo State Governor

Source: http://thebellng.com/edo-govt-is-solvent-on-course-to-more-prosperity-crusoe-osagie/

Life has no duplicate, hence must be safeguarded.

Weldon, the peoples governor!

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Security Town Hall meeting holds in Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Area, as Obaseki tackles attack on Edo People

The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, held a security meeting on Monday, in Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Area, to unveil new measures his administration has adopted to tackle the attacks on innocent Edo people.

At the meeting the governor addressed elders from Edo Central Senatorial District, women, representatives of Hausa community and youths on plans that will ensure that the attacks on innocent people are not allowed to happen again.

Specifically, he said each local government area of the state will receive two patrol vehicles to strengthen the operations of the security agencies while Operation Thunderstorm, the special taskforce dedicated to fighting violent crimes in the state, will be overhauled and revamped.

Source: http://thebellng.com/obaseki-tackles-attack-on-edo-people-holds-security-town-hall-meeting-in-ubiaja/

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Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, with Freeman Okoro, a victim of the Government House Press Bus accident, receiving treatment at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, during the governor's visit.

…takes responsibility of 5-year-old victim’s cancer treatment

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has visited and offset medical bills of persons who suffered various degrees of injuries, in a road accident involving a bus attached to the Governor’s Press Unit and two vehicles, in Ugbowo area of Benin City.

Some of the victims are admitted and receiving medical care at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City.

The governor, during the visit, learnt that one of the victims, Freeman Okoro, a five-year-old, was a cancer patient and had come for chemotherapy session at UBTH before the unfortunate incident.

On learning of his condition, the governor pledged to take responsibility of his cancer treatment and also offset the bill of Freeman’s cousin, who had been held in the hospital for his inability to pay for his treatment.

Governor Obaseki said, “I came to see the condition of the victims of the accident myself. Just as we have promised on the day of the accident when the victims were admitted. The state government has taken full responsibility of their medical bills.

“We will also make sure we follow up with the full recovery of those who are still being treated for injuries from the accident.”

Consultant General and Coordinator, Accident and Emergency Department, UBTH, Dr. Nnadi Nwashile, said, "The patients are in stable condition. Six persons in the bus were treated and discharged on the day of the accident.”

He added, “The two patients in the hospital are Mrs. Mary Okoro and her son, Freeman Okoro, who are being treated. Mrs. Okoro sustained a fracture on her upper arm and is being attended to by an Orthopaedic doctor. The son will be discharged soon.”

The accident, which occurred on Wednesday, involved a vehicle attached to the Governor’s Press Unit and two other vehicles. No life was lost.

Source: http://thebellng.com/obaseki-visits-accident-victims-clears-medical-bills/

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Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, with Mrs. Mary Okoro (on the bed), a victim, of the Government House Press Bus accident, receiving treatment at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City. Mrs. Okoro's sister, Mrs. Caroline Enoch (on her knees), is thanking the governor for paying her daughter's medical bills, during the governor's visit.

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L-R: Head Strategy & Communication, NEXIM Bank, Tayo Omidiji; Executive Director, Business Development, Nigerian Export-Import (NEXIM) Bank, Hon. Stella Okotete; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; and Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Cooperatives and Employment, Hon. Emmanuel Usoh; during the courtesy visit of the Management of NEXIM to the governor at the Government House in Benin City, on Thursday, March 15, 2018.

...Industrial Park, Gelegele Seaport To Boost Export Receipts – Obaseki

Governor Godwin Obaseki’s effort to industrialise Edo state has gotten a new boost as a Federal Government banking institution, the Nigerian Export-Import (NEXIM) Bank has thrown its weight behind the project with three funding windows running into N553 billion for the park’s development and building of local capacity to meet export standards.

The management of NEXIM bank led by its Executive Director, Business Development, Hon. Stella Okotete, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the governor at the Government House, in Benin City, the Edo State capital

The funding opportunities are a N500billion Export Stimulation Fund managed by NEXIM Bank in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and a N50 billion State’s Export Development Fund, which the state government can access to encourage entrepreneurs to improve the quality of goods to meet international standard.

There is also a N3billion Export Development Fund available for capacity development for entrepreneurs in the non-oil sector.

Obaseki said his administration is keen on developing human capital to improve the state’s comparative advantage to produce economic goods to meet international standards.

“Nigeria will remain an import dependent country if effort is not made to improve the quality of goods produced to meet global standards. Effort must be made to produce goods that are competitive.”

He assured, “This administration will focus on reducing the cost of production and exportation by improving power supply and ease the means of transportation of goods and services.

“If goods are cheaper abroad, it will be better to import than export. There are lot of incentives offered by the Federal Government to support exportation. We will go beyond the rhetoric and implement strategies that will encourage export of quality products in a competitive market.

"The Benin Industrial park and the Gelegele Sea Port, when completed, will guarantee lower cost for goods to be exported through water transportation which is cost effective.”

Executive Director, Business Development, NEXIM Bank, Hon. Stella Okotete, said the NEXIM Bank team is in the state to showcase funding opportunities available through the bank to encourage exportation of non-crude oil products.

Okotete said, “NEXIM Bank is ready to partner with the state government to achieve the vision of developing the Benin Industrial Park project, improve human capacity and provide financial advisory services to entrepreneurs.”

"NEXIM Bank has N500 billion Export Stimulation Fund in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the N50 billion State’s Export Development Fund which the state government can access to encourage entrepreneurs to improve the quality of their goods to meet international standard,” she added.

Noting that there is also opportunity to build capacities of entreprenuers in the state, she said, “There is a N3billion Export Development Fund which is available for the development of capacity for the training of entrepreneurs in the non-oil sector to enable them improve the quality of their products to meet international standard. This fund will be given to women and youth cooperatives to enable them improve the export value chain.”

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Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (right) presenting a souvenir to the Executive Director, Business Development, Nigerian Export-Import (NEXIM) Bank, Hon. Stella Okotete; during the courtesy visit of the Management of NEXIM to the governor at the Government House in Benin City, on Thursday, March 15, 2018.

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Obaseki’s Reforms Boost Investment Climate In Edo, As Okomu Commissions 11,400ha Plantation

...expansion creates 2,000 jobs

Riding on the wind of a conducive investment climate guaranteed by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led government in Edo State, Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc has commissioned an 11,400 hectare oil palm plantation covering over 10 communities in the state.

The commissioning of the plant held on Wednesday, at the Okomu Extension 2 Plantation in Ovia South West Local Government Area, was witnessed by captains of industries, Benin high chiefs and members of the companies' host community.

Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, said that the state is pursuing far-reaching reforms to open up the state for investments, assuring that the state is committed to attracting even more investors.

He commended the Federal Government for taking the right decision in 1976 to open up the space for private investment in oil palm sector in Nigeria, noting “since the move, Okomu Plc has been standing tall. We are made to understand that the yield per ton on the farm is highest in Nigeria.”

According to the governor, “We are grateful that my predecessor took the right initiative to sign the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for the expansion project, despite the opposition to the move at the time. We will continue to support the effort of Okomu Plc as long as it continues to expand.”

Noting that the speed of development at the plantation was evidence of the conducive business climate in the state, he said, “You can see that this is quite extensive. But, more importantly, it is second to none in Africa. They were able to prepare and cultivate 9,000 hectares of land in one year. Can you imagine if we had more companies expanding at this pace; the amount of jobs and economic activity that they will create. I think this is a feat and it is amazing.”

He assured that he was going to work with the governments of oil palm producing states in Nigeria, such as Ondo and Cross River states, to move for the establishment of an oil palm council in Nigeria.

He also said that the Edo State government is intent on creating a master plan for agricultural development in the state.

“Within the first two years since we came on board, we have initiated a number of projects, such as the Benin River Port project, Edo-Azura Power Plant, Benin Industrial Park as well as the refinery project. We want to ensure that Edo State becomes an economic hub in Nigeria. We are excited that the Okomu plantation will be producing raw materials for industries in the Industrial Park,” he added.

Chairman, Board of Directors of Okomu Plc, Gbenga Oyebode SAN, said that government support has been tremendous, noting, “We won’t be here today if we hadn’t been allocated this land in 2014 by Governor Adams Oshiomhole. We have planted since then 9,000 hectares of land.

“We expect to plant the whole 11,000 hectares by next year. Then in 2020, we will start milling. For us, the state government has been phenomenal. It shows that the state government is not just in full support of agribusiness but of commercial enterprise in Edo State.”

Noting that the company was keen on supporting the governor’s job creation drive, he said, “We expect to contribute to the governor’s job creation drive and we have already started. Right now, the expansion has created 2,000 jobs. Our expectation is that before we get to 2020, we would have created 4,000 jobs. There is a multiplier effect.”

Managing Director, Okomu Plc, Graham Hefer, said that the company is committed to contributing to the state and Nigeria’s economy by creating jobs, boosting productivity and impacting lives.

He said that the company has a robust Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme that runs into millions of naira per annum, noting that the host communities have been worthy partners in progress.

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Representative of the Benin Monarch and the Obasogie of Benin Kingdom, Chief Eduwu Ekhator; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; the Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edibiri; Member, Board of Directors, Okomu Oil Palm Plc., Mr. Hubert Fabri; and Chairman, Board of Directors, Okomu Oil Palm Plc, Dr. Gbenga Oyebode, during the commissioning of 11,400 hectares oil palm plantation at the Okomu Extension 2 plantation in Ovia South West Local Government Area, Edo State, on Wednesday, March 14, 2018.