The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has reassured that his priority in 2020 will be on policies and programmes that will enhance the wellbeing of majority of citizens by creating the enabling environment and building the necessary social and physical infrastructure for Edo people to achieve their aspirations.
Obaseki, in a statement, noted that his administration remains committed to fixing roads, rebuilding schools, facilitating expansion of existing businesses and ensuring a vibrant, boisterous state that all Edo people will be proud to be associated with.
Governor Obaseki said, “My dear citizens and residents of Edo State, as you are aware, our focus and emphasis in the last three years have been to improve your living conditions and make you more productive. We are improving the educational system and emphasizing technical education, improving access to quality healthcare, creating opportunities for businesses to thrive, providing more jobs and investing in infrastructure.
“I want to assure you, fellow citizens that we will not relent on our efforts at infrastructural renewal, industrialisation, and social development programmes which we are currently undertaking across the entire state.
“This year, we are doubling our efforts to surpass the set target of 200,000 jobs which I promised in 2016 as we intend to deepen our relationship with local and international partners to create more opportunities for our youths in the different sectors of the state’s economy. On the back of the success from the Innovation Hub and production centers, we will build similar hubs and centers in Edo North and Edo Central. Construction work in the Benin Industrial Park will commence early this year.”
Obaseki continued, “Agriculture has always been the backbone of the economy of Edo State. Working closely with Federal authorities, this year we will expand massively in putting a lot more hectares of land under cultivation. From the experience which we have gained, we will assist farmers in preparing land and provide them access to inputs and financing. Under the Edo Agripreneur Programme, priority will be placed on rice, cassava, and maize, livestock, poultry and piggery.”
According to him, “The Edo State Oil Palm Programme, which we launched with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) last year, marks a watershed in the Agricultural transformation in the state. With a commitment of about N70bn, to cultivate the first phase, we expect that the program within 5 years would create not less than 600,000 jobs in the state.”
“Even though we have achieved successes in many of our policy areas, we still have a long way to go. From our experience so far, we are convinced that although the challenges are daunting, as a people and government, we can significantly change our circumstances and place Edo State and indeed our country where they should be in Africa”, he added.