By Osaigbovo Frank Okundia
Traders in Benin City on Saturday lauded Governor Godwin Obaseki for his policies that have improved their livelihoods.
The traders spoke as top government officials embarked on a sanitation exercise to commemorate the governor’s 66th birthday.
The Edo State Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa esq., led Commissioners, Special Advisers, Permanent Secretaries and heads of agencies on a clean-up exercise across Benin City.
As government officials dispersed into several markets to clean up, the Managing Director of the Edo State Investment Promotion Office (ESIPO), Mr Kelvin Uwabi, took the opportunity to gauge the impact of government interventions on the traders’ activities.
Several of the traders had glowing reviews for Mr Obaseki, whom they said has implemented policies to improve their livelihoods.
Celebrating the governor, Mrs. Iyamu Osahon, a vegetable seller at the Oba Market, prayed for God to bless Mr. Obaseki, adding that the significant drop in harassment by revenue collectors has helped her and her colleagues’ businesses.
Another trader, Mr. Sunday Igbinedion, a building materials seller at the Lagos Street Market, prayed for Mr. Obaseki to live long into his old age. Encouraged to highlight challenges to his trade, Mr. Igbinedion called for increased access to funding to enable more businesses to expand.
Responding, Mr. Uwabi explained the terms of the N5 billion loan facility made available by the Edo State Government for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises(MSMEs) in Edo, urging the traders to approach the LAPO Microfinance Bank, the disbursement partner of the loan, to find out how they can access the funds.
The traders commended the government officials for joining them in the monthly sanitation exercise, and called for government intervention in unclogging the drainages around their businesses to improve access that flooding restricts, especially during the rainy season.
The traders also expressed their appreciation for the governor’s commitment to the development of the state, and urged him to continue to work for the betterment of the people of Edo.
