The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Wednesday, met with residents and other stakeholders in Orhionmwon and Uhunmwode Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the State to seek their support and input in the State’s Regional Development and Benin City Master Plan.
Obaseki at the stakeholders’ interactive session held at Edo State College of Education, Abudu in Orhionmwon LGA, said the plans will serve as a roadmap for the progress and sustainable development of the State within the next 30 years.
The governor said, “In the last seven and half years, we have done a lot as a government as we will not leave the State the way we met it. We don’t have a master plan in Edo and Nigeria and it has led to retrogression, not development. We will put down a plan for the next 30 years which will lead successive administrations to develop the Edo.
“We have brought seven investors to Uhunmwode and Orhinomwon LGAs that will start mechanized and large-scale agriculture. We are working towards feeding the South-South. Edo has fertile land in Nigeria.”
“Every local government must have at least one technical school and must be linked to a particular trade and the students will have a place to work. Abudu Campus is one of the campuses to train teachers that will teach our students,” Obaseki added.
On his part, the Commissioner for Food Security and Agriculture, Hon. Stephen Idehenre said in the master plan, technology will be introduced to agriculture to encourage young people into the sector.
He noted that the State has brought in investors that have invested in the oil Palm industry which is a sector that has the potential for massive employment opportunities for Edo youths.
Also, the MD of Edo State Transport Agency, Mrs. Edugie Agbonlahor, said the State as part of the masterplan will develop all forms of transportation in Edo State.
She noted that Benin City has an Airport as another is being proposed in Auchi, adding, “The Edo State Governor has approved for the purchase of water buses for the agency to commence water transportation and it would serve as a pilot scheme. The water buses would look like ECTS buses, as Jetty will be built around riverine areas.”
She added, “We are also working to connect rails into Benin City, Abudu and other areas to ensure people don’t depend on road or air transportation alone. The governor has built a bus terminal in Benin City as a pilot phase and it has recorded success and now it will be extended to other parts of the State. The government has also embarked on junction improvements to solve traffic problems in the State.”
In his response, HRH Edobor Uwaifo, Enogie of Omolua-Igbanke thanked the governor for his foresight of a master plan for the State as it will guide the State in its developmental plans.
He, however, appealed to the governor to upgrade the Igbanke General Hospital to enable more people in the area to better benefit from the government’s huge investment in the health sector.
