Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has said the responsibility of the state government is to make Edo people rich, noting that creating wealth has a correlation to developing cities across the state.

Obaseki said this during a chat with journalists in Benin City, the State capital. He sought more investment in Edo State, promising to provide support to reduce the risks.

“We will continue to provide the infrastructure, electricity and security to enable investors to succeed.

“There is enough traffic now in the state following our developmental strides and the enabling environment created for businesses to thrive in Edo State. We are strategically located and a link to other parts of the country and this is a unique advantage for us and we are utilising it effectively to grow and develop our economy.”

MEANWHILE, Obaseki has announced partnership between the state and the Nigerian Local Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to develop 50 hectares out of the 1,000 hectares for the Benin Enterprise Park, in Ikpoba Okha Council of the state.

The governor, who disclosed this in an interview with journalists, noted that the park would boost the state’s industrialisation drive and attract big-ticket investors to tap from the state’s comparative advantage in power generation.

He said: “Before the rainy season next year, we will start developing the first 50 hectares. We have partnered with the Nigerian Local Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), who have decided to cooperate with us on the first 50 hectares that has also attracted some of the large investor groups, who want to take large chunks.

“Our role is to provide the basic structure. There is a 95MW power plant stationed there. So, electricity already exists. The design of the main infrastructure network, sewage system, among others, are all complete. Any moment from now, it will be in the market.”