By Oboh Sylvester
In furtherance to the Edo State Government policy on its thematic pillar of Infrastructure Development, Culture and Tourism, the Edo Development Property Agency (EDPA) recently embarked on a brand awareness campaign in Benin City with the objective of providing affordable housing to the people and critical stakeholders of the international film industry.
Speaking to newsmen at the Benin International Film Festival recently, the Executive Director, EDPA, Arc. Bose Idegbesor, said the presence of the agency at the film festival was to support the good initiative of the State Government and also showcase EDPA’s potential and upcoming projects such as VIEWpoint, EMOTAN Gardens Phase Two to interested patrons.
The Executive Director said the agency’s major reason for identifying with the Edo State International Film Festival at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub and Sound Stage was to drive its marketing profile and create the awareness that EDPA has quality products and services to sell to Edo people and residents.
She reiterated the commitment of EDPA to sustain the drive for stimulating construction activities by providing affordable housing, as envisioned by the Edo State Government.
She said: “Our presence here gave us the opportunity to continue to network, identify and support good initiatives by the Edo State Government and its agencies. We therefore express our gratitude to Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, for providing the enabling environment for these interactions.
Idegbesor said that as the years and centuries go by, society has evolved and Edo State needs to “catch up” into urban development, and for us to have these movie producers, movie directors and creative directors to consistently use Edo State as their location and venue to shoot their films; EDPA needed to showcase structures and buildings that are coming up. You cannot take away suitable infrastructure, venues and locations because; it is an important aspect in the entire value chain of the film industry.
“We want Edo State to be like urbane Lagos and Abuja in terms of infrastructure, communities and environment where people can act and produce films.”
She added: “EDPA, as the real estate developer for Edo State, has to showcase its products. We want people to know that you can own a house and equally act your modern films in Edo State. We are not just talking about Emotan Gardens City alone; we also have the 400 housing units coming up in Irrua-Ekpoma axis as well as other upcoming luxury apartments in Benin City.”
She reassured stakeholders that the Edo State Government has done a lot concerning the security network, which she described as impressive. She said EDPA is the only Developer that is building 140 Housing Units right now and gave the credit to Governor Godwin Obaseki who provided the platform to stand out, not only in the film industry, but also on such matters concerning affordable housing in the State.
She concluded that Edo State has a rich history, experience and strong cultural attachment that need urbane infrastructure to promote. EDPA, according to her, is readily available to partner with stakeholders to achieve this.
