… Boosts IGR, jobs drive
BENIN CITY – The Edo State Government has announced a major industrial breakthrough with the signing of an agreement with a Chinese firm for the production of 10 million metric tonnes of cement in the Owan axis of the state, a move the government said will accelerate economic growth, create jobs and curb social vices.
State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kasim Afegbua, disclosed this on Monday while addressing journalists at a press conference in Benin City.
He said that groundwork on the project will begin by the middle of next month.
“By the middle of next month, the first step towards realising the dream of producing 10 million metric tonnes of cement will commence. We are hopeful that even the commencement of the project alone will generate employment and help tackle social vices,” he said.
Afegbua described the deal as a strategic investment by the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo aimed at deepening industrialization and strengthening the state’s economic base.
Beyond the cement deal, the commissioner revealed that the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR) has risen significantly; now hovering between N9.5 billion and N10 billion monthly, driven by sweeping reforms and digital monitoring systems.
“The state IGR is hovering around N9.5 to N10 billion every month. Everything that needs to be done has been done. We now have a proactive IGR system that digitally monitors revenue across the state,” he said.
He added that the government has overhauled its e-governance architecture, introducing cloud-based platforms to drive efficiency, reduce paperwork and enhance service delivery across ministries, departments and agencies.
“The entire e-gov process has been retooled and regenerated with new cloud-based platforms that will drive governance in Edo State. Agencies, ministries and parastatals are being onboarded to ensure more efficient service delivery,” he noted.
Afegbua commended civil servants for their continued cooperation in advancing the administration’s SHINE agenda, stating that the government has addressed years of stagnation in the public service through promotions and fresh recruitment.
According to him, about 3,000 personnel have been employed across various MDAs, while 5,000 teachers have also been recruited to strengthen the education sector.
On infrastructure, he said the government has renovated, remodelled and completed 83 schools across the state, while about 85 primary healthcare centres have been completed and equipped with essential drugs.
He assured residents that all ongoing projects would be delivered within record time, citing the reconstruction and commissioning of the POWA Shopping Mall within two months after it was destroyed by fire, alongside support extended to affected traders.
He added that construction is ongoing at an ultra-modern market in Ekpoma and Jattu, while the burnt Oba Market in Benin City is also being rebuilt.
Afegbua further disclosed that a security camp in Edo Central is nearing completion to accommodate military and police personnel, a move aimed at strengthening security operations and tackling kidnapping in the area.
He noted that traditional rulers have been assigned responsibilities to monitor activities within their domains, particularly to track movements and address ungoverned spaces.
Calling on international investors, the commissioner described Edo as safe and business-friendly, urging investment in agriculture, especially in rice, cassava, oil palm and maize production.
He also revealed that the state government has ordered 100 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, with 50 to be deployed for free transportation across the state to cushion economic hardship.
“By next month, you will see about 100 CNG buses, 50 of which will be distributed across the state for free transportation to ease the burden on the people. The reforms at the centre will also help mitigate hardship, and in no time, we will all smile better,” he said.
The commissioner, however, distanced the state government from a trending video circulating online in which one Emmanuel Akpan, popularly known as “Egogo,” allegedly issued threats against members of opposition political parties, particularly the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC).
He stressed that the remarks do not reflect the position of the government, reiterating that the Okpebholo administration does not condone gangsterism, political hooliganism or any attempt to intimidate opposition voices through threats or coercive language.
“Let me use this opportunity to respond to criticism of the opposition in respect to one Egogo with a trending video online issuing a threat to members of the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC),” Afegbua said.
“Let it be on record that the governor doesn’t tolerate gangsterism, political hooliganism and any attempts to subdue the opposition using violent language by issuing subtle threats and otherwise.
“We disown that statement as it is not the position of the Edo State Government. It is the voice of an individual who is also answerable to existing laws of the land. It is the responsibility of security agencies to keep people in check. We welcome opposition, robust and constructive engagement, as opposition helps the ruling party to perform better.”