By Abdul-Kadir Abdullah
The Executive Secretary to Alaghodaro Company Limited by Guarantee (GTE) and Permanent Secretary, Edo State Ministry of Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs, Mrs. Ifueko Alufohai has said the Edo State Government is pleased with the zeal of businesses and captains of industries towards the forthcoming Alaghodaro 2022 which begins on November 11, 2022.
Addressing journalists at the Edo State Sustainable Development Goals Office (SDGs) in Benin City the State capital, Mrs. Alufohai who is also the Focal Person, Edo State SDGs noted that the enthusiasm being shown by some businesses and captains of industries is an indication that they are happy with the Governor Godwin Obaseki’s spirit to sustain the Alaghodaro Summit – a platform for public and private sector dialogue.
According to Mrs. Alufohai, “Every effort made by this administration to make the business environment better and friendly seems to be appreciated by businesses owing to the quality of conversations we are having with the businesses currently with respect to the forthcoming Alaghodaro Summit.
“We are convinced that when these efforts are sustained, things will become better and businesses will thrive. When businesses thrive, it will boost the economy. There will be more jobs and wealth for the people.” she said.
She also encouraged businesses which have left the state in the past as a result of unfriendly business environment to take advantage of the Obaseki administration’s business-ready atmosphere to return.
She said: “It is important to understand that some businesses which left this State in the past left as a result of the unfriendly business environment. It is on record that we had businesses like Michelin Manufacturing Company, Kia Motors, Ewu Flour Mills among others in Edo State.
“If the situation was what it is now, they may not have left. So, this government has engaged quality businesses through Alaghodaro Summit and will continue to do better to Make Edo Great Again”.
“One of the important aspects of this forth coming summit is the power sector reforms. The Managing Director of Ossiomo Power (95MW) will share insights at the summit. And this is important to the private sector and business community. We are determined to make Edo great again” Mrs. Alufohai noted.
The Alaghodaro summit is a yearly platform for public and private sector interaction which features activities including exhibition of made in Edo products by businesses, pitching the investment opportunities in the state, a golf tournament, and this year will see the launch of the Digital Benin Website among activities.
