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Tag: Mr Godwin Obaseki

  • Edo shuts disputed Obu mine site in Okpella 

    Edo shuts disputed Obu mine site in Okpella 

    The Edo State Government has ordered the immediate shutdown of the disputed Obu Mine site in Okpella community, Edo State, following a directive from the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and to avoid the breakdown of law and order in the community.

    The State government directed security operatives in the state to ensure there are no operations in the mine site until the outcome of the suit, or pending further instructions from the supervisory ministry, which is the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel.

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki gave the order on Monday, when leaders of Okpella community paid a courtesy call at the Government House, in Benin City, to express their concern about the deteriorating security situation in the community.

    “I am very concerned, particularly because of the security implication of this impasse on Okpella community. The issues are clear; two entities cannot own the same asset, particularly in an industry like mining with international best practices and processes for determining ownership rights. I don’t believe that Nigeria is different. And when there is a dispute as per ownership, there are also laid down globally accepted ways of resolving these disputes. People cannot resort to self-help in a country where there is rule of law.

    “I understand that the matter of the ownership of Obu mines is in the court and parties are waiting the declaration by the court. Therefore, Edo State Government, today, following what we have received from the Federal Ministry of Mines will close down Obu mines until the determination of the suit currently pending in at the Federal High Court. Whoever the Court says owns the mines, becomes the bona fide owner after the judgement has been delivered. But between now and the outcome of the court, we do not want to see anybody – I mean anybody – in that property.”

    He directed the Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr. Johnson Kokumo and other security operatives to make sure that there are no operations at the mine site “until the outcome of the suit, or pending further instructions from the supervisory ministry which is the Federal Ministry of Mines.”

    Noting that the state government is not taking any sides on the matter because the issue in contention doesn’t fall within the jurisdiction of the state as mining is on the exclusive list, he said, “I want to state clearly that it is in the interest of all parties to ensure that there is the rule of law, because that is the only way they can protect their investments.

    “Please note, effective today, everybody must move out of Obu mines, which is to be shut until the declaration of the suit which is currently at the court.”

    Noting that the state government was committed to the protection of lives and property, even as it seeks for investors, he added, “We want to assure that as a government, we are committed to the protection of lives and property. No amount is worth any life. Yes, we want investors and investment, but people must be alive to benefit from this investment. We feel that that it is rather unfortunate that this matter has degenerated to this extent, but as a responsible government, we will do whatever is necessary to ensure that we remedy the situation. We hope that the contending parties will do what is right and in their own interest, follow due process.”

    Legal counsel to the Okpella community, Dr. Ayuba Giwa said that the people of Okpella are happy about the governor’s investment drive as well as his infrastructural strides in his first year in office.

    Noting that the visit was to submit a copy of the letter sent to the presidency on the lingering issue between Dangote Group Plc and BUA International Limited over the ownership of Obu Mines in their community, Giwa said that above all else, the community wants peace to reign, as they are ready to accommodate all investors.

    He condemned the use of youth militias to protect perceived rights to solid minerals, pleading with the state government to constitute a technical team to resolve the issue.

    In the letter, the community appealed to the Presidency to do justice to all parties on the matter including and particularly Okpella, “where the host community of Komunio belongs and in accordance with the Ministry of Mines and Steel’s new template for processing of consent for the acquisition of minerals rights/titles in Nigeria, the mandatory requirements of Community Development Agreements (CDAs) and Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (EISAs) as pre-requisites to legal operations in the solid mineral regime in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

  • Yuletide: Obaseki assures of improved security, business climate

    Yuletide: Obaseki assures of improved security, business climate

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured Edo People and residents in the state of improved security in the Yuletide season.

    Obaseki who gave the assurance in Benin City, said the ongoing work on a new security architecture by the state government in partnership with the federal government, has reached advanced stage and urged the peace-loving people of the state to take advantage of the improved business environment for brisk sales that characterise the season.

    “I urge you all to enjoy the festive season without any fear of molestation. We have commenced the retooling of security agencies to be able to pre-empt crime well ahead of time and respond at great speed to distress calls from victims, if any,” he said.

    He called for vigilance on the part of the citizens and urged them to report suspicious individuals and situations to law enforcement agencies.

    The governor added that “several failed roads are being reconstructed across the state to ensure smooth commuting by our people during the festive period.”

    He urged motorists and other road users to cooperate with the revamped Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDSTMA) and obey traffic rules to avoid unnecessary traffic jams and gridlocks.

     He maintained that his administration’s desire is to make Edo State the most secure state in Nigeria and the preferred destination for business, recreation and leisure.

    “We have the human and material resources to attain any height as a state and my administration is committed to creating the space and support-structures for our people to express their God-given talent,” Obaseki said.

    He called for more support for his administration’s health, educational, agricultural and other programmes which he said are tailored to enhance the socio-economic wellbeing of all Edo people and residents in the state.

  • Edo LGAs’ IGR rises by 500 percent

    Edo LGAs’ IGR rises by 500 percent

    Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has said that Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) reforms being implemented by his administration have yielded positive result, as annual collection in local council areas has climbed from N30 million in November 2016 to 150 million in November this year.

    The governor said this when he inaugurated the Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, at the Government House, in Benin City.

    Obaseki said that the appreciable rise in revenue collection was as a result of various institutional reforms being implemented in the state, noting that the use of automated systems, such as Point of Sale (POS) machines, tax vouchers, among others, have revolutionised revenue collection in the local councils.

    He added that the increased revenue profile has made local councils buoyant and now able not only to meet their statutory obligations, but also contribute to development.

    The governor said that the state took a methodological approach in attaining the feat with IGR, as it conducted pilot study in 9 locations in Oredo local council, to operationalise the concept, adding, “When we conducted the study, Oredo LGA used to remit N42,000 a day, but after we introduced electronic devices, that sum climbed to N500,000.”

    Assuring that even more revenue is expected in the coming months, he said, “We are opening up Edo State for business and companies are heading down here. It is expected that with increased business activity to be occasioned by our investment drive in the state, more companies will spring up and the revenue profile we see today, will rise even further.”

    Obaseki said that the state is now a Mecca for investors, which is why heavyweights in agriculture, Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies, and manufacturers are siting their businesses in the state.

    He added, “The State Government is open for business because of our peculiar location as a nexus to different parts of Nigeria. This is why the companies are coming here. The influx of businesses will provide avenues for increased activity create more jobs and will drive development.”

  • Obaseki receives report on establishment of Edo Health Insurance Scheme

    Obaseki receives report on establishment of Edo Health Insurance Scheme

    The committee set up to design a framework for the establishment of the Edo State Health Insurance Scheme has submitted its report to the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.

    Receiving the Report at Government House in Benin City, Obaseki expressed gratitude to members of the committee for drafting a bill for the establishment of the health insurance scheme and assured them that it would be sent to the Edo State House of Assembly for consideration.

    He explained that his administration was committed to ensuring that the health sector is repositioned to guarantee sustainable funding of health care services.

    “We want to ensure that people who require health care services can afford and access them. The credibility of the system is also very important, to enable the health insurance scheme function well,” he said.

    The chairman of the committee, Professor Mustapha Danasi, said the committee’s draft bill would provide insight into the operations of the scheme for members of the Edo State House of Assembly.

    Danasi recommended that the governor approve a stakeholder engagement session that will sell the health insurance scheme to Edo people.

    The committee was set up in July, to design the framework for the implementation of a state-wide health insurance scheme for all segments of the society.

  • Obaseki to World leaders: Build enduring structures to guarantee rights

    Obaseki to World leaders: Build enduring structures to guarantee rights

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has called on world leaders to build structures and create enabling environment for people to express their inalienable and God-given rights.

    He added that given the intricate role it places in ensuring that people are prioritised in quest for advancement, good governance should be elevated to become a human right for electorates the world over.

    Obaseki said this on the occasion of the commemoration of International Human Rights Day, declared by the United Nations Assembly in 1948, which led to the adoption of the International Declaration of Human Rights in Paris, France.

    He added that the need for structures and spaces that guarantee the expression of human rights is sacrosanct and a genuine cause, as human rights should never be thought of as a privilege, but as God-given and inalienable.

    According to him, “It is important for world leaders and anyone charged with the responsibility of leading the people to continue to make structures available to guarantee and protect human rights. This is necessary not only because it allows for peace and unity, but because it ensures that people are given the right to be themselves and aspire to whatever heights they deem fit.

    “It is key to point out the fact that much as we are plagued with issues that demand that people are guaranteed their basic rights here, in some climes, there are continuing debates on what should constitute human rights.

    “The right to internet access, for instance, is being debated to be elevated to the status of human right. It is in the same vein that the right to good governance should be considered a human right in this clime. So also should be the right to technical education, given our level of development and role of technical skills in advancing society.”

    Human rights, he said, includes but not limited to the right to be protected against enslavement, noting that the episode with immigrants in Libya, requires a global action to protect the rights of immigrants who are being held captive.

    The International Human Rights Day came into force, in 1948. Ever since, there have been raged debates about the rights to be included within the framework of human rights, but many scholars and public policy experts agree that human rights should be a minimum requirement to avoid worst-case abuses, while others see it as a higher standard.

    This year’s celebration is devoted to the launch of a year-long campaign for the 50thanniversary of the two International Covenants on Human Rights, namely: the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 16 December 1966.

  • Edo, CBN set aside N500m credit facility to de-risk Agric investments  

    Edo, CBN set aside N500m credit facility to de-risk Agric investments  

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has inaugurated a nine-man committee to oversee the N500 million Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme (CACS) initiated in alliance with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to de-risk investments in agriculture in the state.

    Obaseki inaugurated the committee headed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Prince Joe Okojie, at the Government House, in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

    He said the programme, which was set up by the Federal Government through the CBN, is aimed at providing credit for agricultural transactions in the state, stressing that the scheme is critical to his administration’s agricultural initiatives.

    He said members of the committee were selected based on their expertise and accomplishments, noting that it is not another avenue for political patronage.

    He emphasised that the idea is to support large scale commercial agriculture so that their growth would stimulate and scale up activities of small scale farmers.

    “Time, experience and technology are very important in agriculture. We need to engage the services of consultants and experts to work with the committee and use the advantage of the dry season to our benefit,” he said.

    Obaseki said the committee members would serve as monitoring team and manage funds from the CBN to guarantee its judicious use by farmers across the three senatorial districts.

    He stressed that government was not interested in agribusiness to start farms, but only interested in de-risking the process and creating an environment for entrepreneurs to emerge and thrive.

    He said that over N500 million is available from expected funds and the committee’s terms of reference include: to oversee and ensure equitable distribution of fund; promote an efficient and inclusive participation of key stakeholders; ensure proper monitoring and evaluation, guarantee integrity of each access to information; ensure fund usage by beneficiaries are in line with the terms of the scheme; monitor the impact and constantly look for ways to improve the probability of reaching the expected result of the scheme.

    In his vote of thanks, Chairman of the committee, Prince Joe Okojie, pledged to deliver on the terms of reference and promised to be fair and objective in the management of the credit facility.

  • Obaseki appoints One Special Adviser, 18 Special Assistants on Gender

    Obaseki appoints One Special Adviser, 18 Special Assistants on Gender

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has approved the appointment of one Special Adviser and 18 Special Assistants on Gender, in pursuance of his administration’s policy designed to give the required attention to gender issues.

    Obaseki gave the approval for the appointment of the 19 aides on Thursday in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

    According to the governor, “It is a deliberate policy to ensure that there is gender balance in my administration and that more women should participate in governance. These appointments are therefore geared towards the implementation of this policy.”

    The new appointees on gender issues are:

    Efosa Uyigue, Special Adviser on Gender, from Ovia North East LGA

    Ebikueluye Jessica Bose, Special Assistant, Gender from Esan Central LGA

    Christiana Ehidiame, Special Assistant, Gender from Esan North East

    Mrs Sarah Eluojierior, Special Assistant, Gender from Igueben

    Asuelimen Felicia Eyebe, Special Assistant, Gender from Esan South East

    Egboh Oseyi Jennifer, Special Assistant, Gender from Esan West

    Mrs Kate Igbinomwanhia, Special Assistant, Gender from Uhunmwode

    Aivenhenyor Victoria, Special Assistant, Gender from Ovia South West

    Gift Osaretin Osarose, Special Assistant, Gender from Ovia North East

    Mrs Regina Egbomeade, Special Assistant, Gender from Orhionmwon

    Mrs Ihaza Bose Orobosa, Special Assistant, Gender from Ikpoba-Okha

    Mrs Bose Erhabor, Special Assistant, Gender from Oredo

    Miminu Animat, Special Assistant, Gender from Owan East

    Gloria Baby Oarhe, Special Assistant, Gender from Owan West

    Cordilia Iyogun, Special Assistant, Gender from Akoko Edo

    Comrade Rabi Egujie, Special Assistant, Gender from Etsako East

    Aludo Juliet Lamosi, Special Assistant, Gender from Etsako Central

    Paulina Okwilagwe, Special Assistant, Gender from Etsako West

    Mrs Edna Obaseki, Special Assistant, Gender from Egor.

    The swearing in ceremony will take place on Monday, 11th December, 2017, at 12noon

  • Edo set to construct Nigeria’s Largest Auto Spare-Parts Market in Benin

    Edo set to construct Nigeria’s Largest Auto Spare-Parts Market in Benin

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has revealed plans to construct the largest auto spare-parts market in Nigeria in the state capital, as part of ongoing efforts to grow the state’s economy.

    The governor disclosed this during a meeting with executives of the Auto Spare Parts Dealers Association (ASPAC) at the Government House in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

    According to Obaseki, “the state government has acquired a 200-hectare land in a choice location in the state capital for siting of the largest auto spare-parts market in Nigeria.”

    He thanked the ASPAC for supporting his administration during the last election, adding that they would get the needed support to go about their businesses in a conducive environment, especially given the fact that the state is a gateway to different parts of the country.

    The governor said, “the state government will develop the 200-hectare land and provide necessary infrastructure to enhance trading activities, which is expected to grow the state’s economy.”

    He added that the architectural design for the market will be ready next month and the dealers from ASPAC will be invited to make their input, to enable the government commence construction of the market.

    He assured the dealers that contract for the construction of the road leading to the New Auto Spare Parts market at Evgbareke has been signed, and promised improved security in the market.

    President of ASPAC, Comrade Omoregbe Eboigbodin, assured the governor of the support of the spare-parts dealers in the state and urged the governor to assist the association with a micro-finance scheme to aid members expand their businesses, noting that there was need to assist in recovering debt owed them by Edo Line Transport Service.

     

  • Obaseki commissions glass factory in Edo

    Obaseki commissions glass factory in Edo

    In what seems to be a direct consequence of novel reforms to open up its business space, Edo State is welcoming an influx of foreign investors, as the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki commissioned Rongsheng Glass Nigeria Limited in Utesi, Benin City.

    Obaseki, during the commissioning ceremony at the factory site in Utesi Village, by Benin By-Pass, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, said that 70 per cent of building materials needed to meet Nigeria’s 20 million units housing deficit can be sourced from factories in Utesi Village, which hosts a cluster of industries.

    Noting that the village has become a hub for building materials manufacturing, he said, “From steel to ceramics, glass and aluminum roofing sheets, the materials required for building houses are being made in Edo State.”

    “There is a pressing need for low-cost housing in Nigeria. We need more than 20 million units to address the housing deficit, and then one considers these industries we have in Utesi community, it is easy to agree that Edo State is ready to provide Nigeria with materials to solve this problem,” he added.

    Obaseki said government reforms to open up the business space and the presence of human resources to drive investment have attracted local and foreign companies, who will create jobs, engage youths and create wealth for the state.

    “The government has taken serious steps to create the enabling environment for investors like Rongsheng, to invest in the state and contribute to its development as well as provide jobs for the people.”

    The governor said his administration does not want to be directly involved in running businesses, but to facilitate investment, support investors and create a peaceful and secure environment to get the state to become productive.

    “We urge companies located in this area to ensure they maintain good community relations with the host community to ensure that peace reigns and propel development,” he stressed.

    He tasked the company with human capital development, urging them to build schools as well as a Chinese Cultural Centre to teach the Chinese language and culture to strengthen cultural ties with their host community.

    Commissioner for Cooperatives, Employment and Wealth Creation, Hon. Emmanuel Usoh, said the state is now a haven for investors as the Godwin Obaseki-led administration has worked to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

    He added that the state is a gate-way to other parts of the country, urging investors to cash-in on to the availability of resources and logistics advantage to invest in the state.

    The Managing Director, Rongsheng Glass Nigeria Limited, Huang Shibin, thanked the governor, the local community and the people of the state for the conducive environment for their operations.

    “We will ensure we develop and sustain good relationship with the people of the community and state to sustain peace, development and growth,” he said.