The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said his administration will, before 2025, develop the state’s digital economy and operate a technology-driven government to ensure the delivery of better and efficient services to all Edo people.
Obaseki who spoke to journalists in Benin City, said his government remains committed to working for every Edo citizen and lifting their wellbeing by ensuring that the state grows into a globally competitive economy enabled by technology.
According to the governor, “Before 2025, Edo State will develop and grow its digital economy and operate a digital government. The digital government we are building will plug into the new digital age and would ensure we deliver better and efficient services to all our citizens.”
Noting that the digital economy has become necessary amid the current socio-economic realities in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Obaseki said, “The coronavirus has done tremendous harm across the world and redefined the way we live, work, play and continues to have reverberating effects on our socio-economic life as a people and as a government.
“We are now gradually adjusting to the new realities of the times, what is now termed the ‘New Normal,’ which means that we have to restructure our systems, policies, plans and processes in line with the new reality. This therefore calls for the retooling of our workforce and deploying bespoke technology to embrace the change that is sweeping through the world and our dear country.”
The governor continued: “Technology, human capital and innovation will play critical roles in the new scheme of things within government and the larger economy. We are building the workforce of the future in Edo to attend to these new challenges.
“We have no doubt that we shall overcome these challenges if we emphasize and invest in our people, particularly our youths and redesign a government that is responsible and responsive to their needs.”
“Once we can redesign government and the bureaucracy to focus more on providing services efficiently, we will unlock the innate energies, creativity and innovation of our land and people,” he added.
