By Nosakhare Agbonigiarhuoyi
As the year 2022 gradually shuts down, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has promised to partner with the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to deliver an improved power supply in 2023.
The governor made this commitment and others on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, during a Christmas Nine Lessons and Carols service organized by the Edo State government at the rebuilt State Secretariat Complex, on Sapele Road, Benin City.
In his remarks, Mr. Obaseki commended the people of Edo State for their support and recounted the gains of his administration in the last 6 years, promising to do more and sought the support of Edo residents.
Addressing the state of power supply, he noted that Edo can generate more than 1000MW of electricity to power homes and businesses and that potential will be maximised in the new year. “We are working very closely with the new management of BEDC so that we can improve electricity supply to the entire state. We are very optimistic that by this time next year, the electricity supply would have improved dramatically in Edo because we are very blessed.
“In Edo state alone, we have the capacity to generate over 1000 megawatts of electricity every day, and we do not require that amount of electricity to power every house and every industry.” he added.
“In the last 6 years, we have made every effort to stabilize our state and our city. Most important is that we have had to bring law and order, and also ensure that our people are secure.
On security, Governor Obaseki said “We will continue to tackle insecurity and make sure our people feel a sense of safety so that they can pursue their legitimate socio and economic activities.”
Furthermore, the Governor spoke on the need to restore the glory of Edo’s environmental ecosystem in the new year, urging the support of leaders across all sectors of the State.
“We need to clean and green Edo state. One of the biggest challenges we have is environmental. You can see what climate change is doing in our state.
“If you look at Benin City and many cities from satellite maps; you will not believe that Edo is in the rainforest. There has been massive deforestation of our land, and it is such a big threat to us.
“You see the kind of rainfall we now experience. There’s nothing holding the rain when it falls, and it’s causing massive erosion in many communities across the state.” he added.
Pleading for their support, Governor Obaseki urged the leaders to help his administration rebuild Edo’s natural environment to what it used to be.
“We are going to be coming to you, talking to you, our traditional rulers, our religious leaders, we need to stop what we are doing, we need to go back and build a natural environment which God has given us”, the governor concluded and wished residents a merry Christmas celebration.
