The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Edo State government

  • Ehanire, Izuwa, others call for policies to boost investors’ confidence

    Ehanire, Izuwa, others call for policies to boost investors’ confidence

    To address Nigeria’s infrastructural deficit, government must adopt proactive legislation and ensure transparency in accessing relevant information to boost investors’ confidence.

    This was the submission of stakeholders, at a plenary session on Infrastructural Development Imperatives of Edo Economic Development Agenda, at the Alaghodaro Investment Summit in Benin City, Edo State.

    Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie E. Ehanire, who was a participant at the session, said the federal government intends to build investors’ confidence by strengthening institutions and processes.

    Dr. Ehanire said, “all levels of government should be interested in expanding critical infrastructure by developing legislative frameworks to guarantee investors return on investment. This will enable them to build infrastructure that will fast-track economic growth.”

    The minister urged the Edo state government to ensure the passage of legislative frameworks to open up the space for investment in social infrastructure.

    Executive Director, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Chidi Izuwa, stressed on the need for the state government to collaborate with the federal government in reducing the country’s infrastructural deficit, noting that when it was necessary government should declare a state of emergency on the infrastructure sector.

    He added that state governments cannot address the challenge of infrastructure without a legal framework, stressing the need to ensure discipline and good governance.

    He applauded the initiative of the Edo State Government in implementing the Public Private Partnership (PPP) agency, adding that the move will boost investors’ confidence.

    “The creation of the subnational PPP resource centre will boost investment. It will address the challenge of infrastructure shortfalls in the country,” he added.

    Founding and Managing Partner, Perchstone and Graeys, Osaro Eghobamien spoke on the need for the state government to deal with uncertainty and the culture of kickbacks relating to attracting investors, noting, “information and a roadmap that will enable investors to identify investment opportunities in infrastructure sector in the state should be easily available on various communication platforms.”

    Akiniyemi Osinubi of International Finance Corporation (IFC), called for the creation of regulatory agency and framework to guarantee returns on investment, which is one of the elements considered by investors in the infrastructure sector.

    According to Osinubi “any investor who is coming to invest in infrastructure is on the lookout for structures that will guarantee he or she get returns from projects.”

  • Installation of “Pere of Olodiama Kingdom in Edo,” sacrilegious, criminal – Edo Govt

    Installation of “Pere of Olodiama Kingdom in Edo,” sacrilegious, criminal – Edo Govt

    The Edo State Government has described as egregiously abominable, sacrilegious and criminal, the planned coronation of one Godwin Oguyenbo as the “Pere of Olodiama Kingdom,” in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.

    Reacting to an advertisement on page 22 of the Vanguard Newspaper of Tuesday, November 14, 2017, which contains a congratulatory message to one Godwin Oguyenbo, Alagbabenafa, Agadagba, “Pere of Olodiama Kingdom” in Edo State, the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq. said: “the pronouncement constitutes an unprecedented affront to the long-settled culture, traditions and norms of our people.”

    He explained that “Government is of the view that the claim of such a non-existent title in a non-existent community under any guise is a clear and pre-meditated breach of our Laws particularly the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law of Edo State which said Law sets out the list of all recognised Traditional Rulers and Chiefs in Edo State.”

    Ogie stressed that “the said Law further makes it a criminal offence for any person to recognise or purport to install any person as a Traditional Ruler except as provided for under the Law and in fact makes it an offence for any unqualified person to present or permit to be so addressed.”

    The Edo State SSG, maintained that the state government is of the view that “this act is intended to precipitate strife and contestation leading inevitably to the breakdown of Law and Order in our dear State.”

    He said in the light of the foregoing, Governor Godwin Obaseki has issued clear directives to the Law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies to take all steps to immediately abort the proposed or purported coronation anywhere within Edo State on the date proposed or on any other date whatsoever.

    He also said that the governor has directed law enforcement agencies to effect the immediate arrest and prosecution of all persons involved in the said coronation either as beneficiary, participant or sponsor, to the full extent of all extant laws, as the government and people of Edo State have always projected a peaceful and welcoming disposition to all persons living within its boundaries.

    “Edo State Government will not tolerate actions and pronouncements which seek to abuse the hospitality which our land offers. Let it be clearly noted that this Government will take all necessary steps to preserve our peace, enforce our Laws and defend our revered institutions. All those who intend to test the resolve of Government in this regard should be assured of the certainty that swift and severe sanctions will be the natural consequence of their unlawful acts.

    “Government calls on all citizens and or residents of the State, while remaining peaceful and Law abiding, to report all actual and potential breaches of the peace to the nearest Law Enforcement Agencies,” Ogie said.

  • Alaghodaro Summit: Experts proffer solutions to public sector project financing  

    Alaghodaro Summit: Experts proffer solutions to public sector project financing  

    Investment experts have called for innovative financing solutions by state governments to boost infrastructure development, improve social welfare and promote small and medium scale enterprises.

    Speaking at the plenary on “Financing the Vision” at Edo State Alaghodaro Investment Summit, in Benin City, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Uche Orji, said there was need for governments to look beyond scampering for cash to finance their developmental needs.

    He argued that though the most likely option would be for state governments to provide guarantees for investment, there was need to explore trusteeship and development funds by establishing agencies with good governance structures, independent boards and transparent audit process.

    Harping on the need to prioritise investment to boost small and medium scale businesses, he said that states need to create aggregation centers, which will also provide a structured system that can be used to access external funds with guarantees.

    “For society to develop, we must build a highly educated workforce. Until we start to create and innovate, and build people’s capacities, we will not attract the needed investments. Investors look out for good education and health indices before they throw in their money,” Orji said.

    Jude Chiemeka of United Capital Securities said it was admirable that the Edo State Government is building a progressive and modern economy anchored on leveraging its strategic advantage in natural gas, location and human capital.

    “Many governments cannot provide funding to finance development, but what they can do is to ensure sound governance structure, reforms, laws and enabling environment to encourage investment,” he added.

    “The private sector cannot go where there is no continuity. Edo’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to federal allocations is approximately 42 percent, but it has other options for financing development.  It can use Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV). It is important for revenue to come from projects being financed. We can also finance government projects using trustees, ensuring that there is good governance structure and in-depth audit of its operations,” he said.

    The Group Managing Director (GMD) of Afrinvest West Africa, Ike Chioke, said that much as there are two currencies – cash and guarantees – with which government can finance development, there is need for creativity to harness the peoples’ potential. “In Edo State, Arts and Culture is a huge industry but there is still no standard government agency that is leveraging this to deepen economic activities and growth.

    “We need an agency that can promote and market Benin arts across the globe. It will also better organise the industry by aggregating works and building vocational institutes to train more young people. However, it needs to be creative in deploying and leveraging other funding structures to grow small and medium scale industries,” he said.

    Managing Director, Zenith Capital Limited, Jubril Enakele, said much as government is pushing for funding, if it doesn’t get it right at the artisanal level; it really becomes difficult to drive development.

    According to him, “It is possible to create a trust fund; Edo State needs to do that, especially when he does that with the right governance structures, independent boards and proper auditing. This will enable investors and many others outside to repose confidence in the system. There is need to replicate the trust fund model in Edo State.”

    He added, “If you do not provide infrastructure for the informal economy, you can’t tap the potential for revenue they promise. You cannot access the money, except you organise them. You can’t ask them for tax if you have not provided infrastructure to ease businesses.”

     

  • Edo, UNITAR sign MoU on capacity devt, education reform

    Edo, UNITAR sign MoU on capacity devt, education reform

    The Edo State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) to improve workers’ capacity to deliver quality service.

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, who signed for the state government at Government House in Benin City, said the training would equip Edo civil servants with new knowledge and skills for optimal performance.

    He added that the MoU entails a series of relevant and focused trainings for all civil servants in the state.

    “We have set up a training facility for civil servants; we have also bought computers and other teaching aids. We believe that with the signing of this agreement, we have put in place the necessary framework for building the capacity of our civil servants, by leveraging on the contacts and reach of UNITAR,” Obaseki said.

    He added that, “we will agree on the curricula for the key programmes before the end of the year, develop them and design a time table for the commencement of the training programme in the first month of 2018.”

    Obaseki further explained that the collaboration with the United Nations body would also focus on monitoring and evaluation for efficient systems in the state’s education sector.

    “We are re-enacting our basic education system and we are doing a complete review of the system which will require training and re-training of teachers, education inspectors, and all cadre of stakeholders. This collaboration will give us tremendous leverage to help strengthen our basic education system,” he said.

    He added that the state would also leverage on the partnership to train administrators and teachers at the Benin Technical College.

    Earlier, the Country Representative of UNITAR, Dr Larry Boms, said that the partnership on capacity building would enable Edo civil servants drive government policies effectively, and assured that UNITAR would pull more resources from its partner countries in the European Union.

    He added that other states in the country and countries in the West African region would benefit from the international training centre which will be domiciled in Edo State.

  • Duke, Akpata, others call for policy, infrastructure for creative industry

    Duke, Akpata, others call for policy, infrastructure for creative industry

    Stakeholders in the nation’s creative industry on Saturday called on the Edo State Government to invest in theatres, incubation centers for creative people and put in place the right policies to drive her prestigious art and craft sector.

    Leading discussions during the session on “Edo Creative Industry” at the Alaghodaro Investment Summit in Benin City, former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, commended Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, for creating a separate session for the creative industry, in his effort to rebrand the sector in the state.

    “I congratulate the Edo State Governor on this summit. For the creative industry to thrive, you need to know your strength and weaknesses. Edo State is the best located state in Nigeria. No state is as endowed as Edo State and not even my state, Cross River, is as endowed in art and craft,” he said.

    He recommended that as the gateway state to the South-south, South-east, South-west and the Northern part of the country, Edo State should put in the place the structures for harnessing the socio-economic gains accruable from the tourism activities in the state.

    “Locationally, Cross River is at the end of West Africa. What we did in Cross River was to attract foot traffic to our state. We believed that when you attract foot traffic, people will spend money on arrival, and boost businesses in the state. Edo is better located and location is in itself an industry.”

    He urged Edo artistes to embrace modern technology to upgrade their processes.

    Olumide Akpata, Partner, Templars, enumerated the challenges facing the creative industry as lack of policies, infrastructure, access to funding and called for a synergy between the government and private practitioners to tackle the challenges.

    Film producer, Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen, urged the Edo State government to create a film corporation that coordinate the activities of film makers in the state.

    Other speakers recommended the adoption of modern technology in the production of crafts and art works to bridge the gap between demand and supply and in marketing the works on the internet to the global market.

  • FG set to approve three modular refineries in Edo – Kachikwu

    FG set to approve three modular refineries in Edo – Kachikwu

    …As Alaghodaro Investment Summit kicks off Friday

    As business leaders storm Benin City, the Edo State capital, Friday, for the Alaghodaro Investment Summit, Minister of State Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, on Thursday in Benin City said the Federal Government is already processing applications received for the establishment of seven modular refineries in the state.

    He said three of the applications have reached the approval stage.

    Kachikwu disclosed this during the Stakeholders’ Engagement and Enlightenment Campaign in Niger Delta states, organised by the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources in collaboration with the Edo State Government, held in Benin City.

    The event is part of a series of activities heralding the Alaghodaro Investment Summit, which kicks off at the Edo Hotel, Okada Avenue, Benin City, and will play host to the crème of the business community across the globe.

    Kachikwu said the Federal Government was working to bring development to the Niger Delta region through the Modular Refineries Initiative, Gas Flare Commercialisation programme and collaboration with oil-producing states, on the Amnesty programme.

    He said the establishment of modular refineries is driven by the private sector, adding that designs, analysis and engineering work for three of the refineries have been done.

    Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani, said the meeting was to sensitise the people on Federal Government’s on-going initiatives in the region after earlier visits to the region.

    Usani said the Federal Government was reviewing the Amnesty programme to capture those who were not included earlier in the scheme.

    Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki said the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has not lived up to its duties, noting that the commission has failed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state on the reconstruction of the Benin-Abraka Express Road. 

    The governor called for a yearly stakeholders’ meeting to revive development by the federal government in the state.

    “Oil is located in 33 communities in three local government areas in the state, which include, Ovia North East, Orionmwon and Ikpoba Okha. We want to organise the oil-producing LGAs into clusters and work with federal government to help us with the physical planning and gap analysis to evaluate progress of development in the councils,” Obaseki said.

    Kachikwu announced the constitution of a committee to identify development needs within the state, comprising representatives of the Federal Government, State Government, NDDC and security agencies, which will be headed by the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq. 

    Also present at the stakeholders’ meeting were delegates from the three oil-producing local government areas in the state, who called for provisions of health care centres, modular refineries, good roads and the inclusion of their youths in the amnesty programme, among others. 

  • Public Complaints Commission ranks Edo Govt high on Reform

    Public Complaints Commission ranks Edo Govt high on Reform

    The Public Complaints Commission has ranked Edo State Government high on the reforms of its processes which has made it easier for the commission to access and process information from the state.

    Federal Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission, Edo State, Hon. Felix Alari, said this when he led members of the commission on a courtesy visit to Government House in Benin City, Edo State.

    Hon. Alari said Obaseki’s people-oriented programmes, dynamic and resourceful style of leadership have resulted in giant strides in all sectors of the state since he assumed office.

    ”My remarks are based on the positive rating of your performance so far, as reflected in the mood of the people of Edo State, which our commission also acknowledges, judging from the level of response from state government agencies and parastatals,” he said.

    He, however, urged the governor to continue to impress on public officers and heads of public institutions the need to respond promptly to enquiries from the commission, so that the state can continue with its enviable developmental stride.

    In his response, Governor Obaseki commended members of the commission for their diligence but appealed that they should never allow the agency to be used as a tool for debt collection.

    “We implore you not to allow the commission to be used as debt collection agency, which, of course, is not your mandate. I am happy to note that the number of complaints are ebbing because, as a government, we respond to every mail that comes to us. We investigate the complaints to ensure that we address the issues raised,” he added.

  • Edo Sports Devt C’ttee proposes Sports Commission, Trust Fund Bills

    Edo Sports Devt C’ttee proposes Sports Commission, Trust Fund Bills

    The 11-man committee set up by the Edo State Government to revive sports in the state has submitted two proposed bills:  The Edo Sports Commission Bill and the Sports Trust Fund Bill to Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    Receiving the documents at Government House in Benin City, Obaseki commended the committee for doing a good job and assured that the bills when passed into law, would revitalise sports in the state.

    He thanked the committee for their commitment to the terms of reference they were given, which led to the formulation of the sports document and promised that the bills would be sent to the State House of Assembly.

    “Government is refreshing its sports outlook. That was why we set up this committee. You have advised us on what to do and have come up with a document that will regulate the sports industry, including how to improve on our current ranking in sports, funding and how to get stakeholders in the industry to join us in revamping the sector” he added.

    “We assure you that we will act on the document and it will guide our sports architecture,” the governor said, noting that the job of the committee is not over as it has to come up with implementation strategies for the bill, when passed into law.

    Obaseki stressed that it was time to transit from the old ways of managing sports so that it can be self-financing.

    Earlier, the Chairman of the 11-man committee and Deputy Governor of the state, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, said the committee gave a broad view to the issues surrounding sports development in the state before it came up with the sports documents. Shaibu assured that the bills when passed into law, would move sports to the next level in the state.

    PHOTO CAPTION:

    Chairman of the 11-Man Committee on the Development of Edo State Sports Commission and Deputy Governor of the state, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu (left), presenting the Report of the Committee to the Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, at the Government House in Benin City. 

  • Edo partners AGPMPN to fast-track implementation of health policies 

    Edo partners AGPMPN to fast-track implementation of health policies 

    The Edo State Government is set to partner with the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN) to accelerate the implementation of health policies in the state.

     

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, said this when he received officials of the Edo State Chapter of AGPMPN, led by the chairman, Dr. Nosa Ehigie, at Government House, in Benin.

     

    According to Obaseki, the state government is working on the domestication of the National Health Act and a state health insurance scheme, for which he would need the support of the private medical practitioners.

     

    “I see the health care system as one, in which government is a key player. We have embarked on a lot of initiatives in our health care system and we see the private medical practitioners as a pillar in this project,” he said, adding that the state would be collaborating with the association in the areas of health investment and human capital development.

     

    Earlier, the State Chairman of AGPMPN commended the governor for the on-going reforms in the state’s health sector.

     

    Dr. Ehigie said the association was ready to partner with the state government in the implementation of its proposed health insurance scheme, immunisation activities and in eradicating quacks from the profession in the state.

  • NGF ranks Edo highest in reforms

    NGF ranks Edo highest in reforms

     

    …as Edo First Lady empowers 18,000 women

     

    Edo State Government has been ranked the best reform-driven state in Nigeria by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, a representative of the World Bank, Mr. Umar Hamza, has said.

     

    Hamza, who is Team Leader on the Women Initiative for Socio-economic Empowerment (WISE) programme, a proposed five-year project by the World Bank, said that the ranking informed the selection of Edo State as a beneficiary of the WISE project.

     

    Specifically, he stressed that the successes recorded with past projects and reforms in the state gave Edo the slot.

     

    He disclosed this during a meeting of the Assessment Team of the project at the Government House, Benin City, with the Edo First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki.

     

    Hamza said Edo was shortlisted as one of the states “where the project will be done going by the recommendations made by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum that the state ranks the highest in terms of reform-driven states in the country.”

     

    The wife of the Edo State Governor, Mrs Besty Obaseki said plans are underway to empower 18,000 widows and vulnerable women across the state’s 18 local government areas on agricultural production.

     

    She said her office is keying into the 200,000 jobs initiative of the State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, by empowering women, who would take to agricultural production and entrepreneurship.

     

    “We are targeting 1000 women from each of the 18 local government areas to train them on poultry production. We started the pilot phase under the Edo Women for Agriculture and Enterprise Initiative (EWEAI) in March this year and the outcome was successful.  

     

    “We are also setting up women cooperatives and getting partners to help us create smallholder women farmers across the state in vegetable production with the intention to export the vegetables,” she said.

     

    Noting that her office is pursuing these wide-ranging initiatives to discourage human trafficking, she said, “We want to put the necessary structures in place to ensure that Edo will compete with Lagos in supporting women empowerment.”

     

    Mrs Obaseki said part of the plans include building an academy where successful Edo female entrepreneurs will train young girls on entrepreneurial skills, adding, “We have identified the Lady Mechanic Initiative and women cobbler to train returnees and young female school dropouts to give them skills for sustainable livelihoods.

     

    “The Lady Mechanic Initiative is training young girls on vehicle refurbishment and has refurbished many vehicles for the state government.”

     

    The first lady also noted that her office is working to link market women to financial institutions and create opportunities for women in other business ventures to access funds.