By John Ewah, Benin City
Edo State which current capital is Benin City, is celebrated globally for its historical places, archaeological and monument sites spread across several towns.
The state since its empire days (Benin Empire) was well established in economic activities and merchandise before the Europeans first dreamt of stepping their feet on the its soil.
The Portuguese in their early visits to the ancient Empire documented copiously their experiences and awe as they beheld the already established civilization evident in the prosperity of the empire in arts, commerce, governance and architecture, before the unprovoked invasion by the British in an epic battle for the economic essence of the empire.
Considering the recorded progress made by Edo people across all sectors and the early contact and trade with the Europeans for over 500 years, one would have expected this ancient society to be booming with socio-economic activities on a grander scale today.
Sadly, bad governance, since the federating units of Nigeria gained independence, has taken its toll on this once booming state.
Successive administrations in the state charged with the responsibility of upholding the beacon reflective of the state’s central role in the nation for which it considers itself the heartbeat of Nigeria, have been more concerned with self-gratification, self-aggrandizement, solipsism and the ever pressing desire to put commonwealth in many a pocket.
Few could be credited to have made significant inputs in the state’s reinvention, while others, rather than see to the restoration of the state to its glory days when ships harboured on the ports of Benin, waned whatever ember of hope that was left, literarily consigning and suppressing it into a seeming netherworld of cosmic nothingness.
The Gelegele River known as ‘Gwatto River’ by the Portuguese, played a significant role in the commercial activities of the ancient kingdom, a reason the current Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, is committed to the restoration of the Gelegele Sea Port, in order to transform the state once again into the jewel of pride it once served among its inhabitants and shape it into the commercial hub it once was as in the precolonial days.
In 2018, the Edo State Government partnered with the China-based company, China Harbor Engineering Company Limited, to develop and industrialize the Gelegele Seaport in Benin City. Governor Godwin Obaseki’s determination to restore the Sea Port to once again harbour commercial sea vessels and cargoes is a vision deserving of support by every true Edo-born.
Obaseki’s approach has introduced a whole new methodology to governance even as he has elected methods for running the state like a business enterprise, leveraging the machinery of governance, to amass wealth for the state. This profit-driven technique which characterizes Obaseki’s economic policies, programmes and governance style, geared towards bettering the lives of Edo people, makes the state one of the best places to do business in the federation.
The Governor’s investment drive has led to the establishment of such investment platforms and agencies as the Edo State Investment Promotion Office (ESIPO) and Ease of Doing Business Office. Governor Obaseki focuses on the six thematic pillars of the MEGA Agenda to drive the state’s economy, putting in place digital and physical Infrastructure to achieve sustainable economic development. His administration has seen the influx of investors into the state which has led to the birth of diverse business opportunities.
The retail sector is experiencing a boom of astronomic proportion due to the investment-friendly environment created by the Obaseki administration. It is on record that the administration attracted Jara Supermarket and Stores, Market Square Shopping Mall, Domino Pizza and Cold Stone, Kilimanjaro, Reign Restaurant and Arcade, Valz Foods and other retail outlets, among the over 30 new businesses that have set up in the state.
Just last year, the creative industry in Edo raked in an estimated N500 million in revenue as a result of emerging opportunities created by the governor’s investment efforts in the industry.
Young talented youths of the state are taking advantage of the Sir Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub established by the Obaseki administration to propel themselves into the spotlight.
Even with these achievements, Governor Obaseki is still not resting on his oars, as he is committed to making Edo the largest commercial and investment hub in sub-Saharan Africa in no distant time.
