Edo State government has assured residents that the Regional Development and Benin City master plan will be backed by legislation to ensure strict compliance and sustainable development.
Governor Godwin Obaseki made this known during an engagement with stakeholders from three local councils in Edo South – Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, and Egor.
The engagement session held at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, in Benin City, the Edo State capital, was aimed at seeking the support and buy-in of the stakeholders in the state’s 30-year development plan.
Present at the stakeholders’ meeting included the wife of the governor, Dr Betsy Obaseki; Chief of Staff to Edo State Governor, Dr Osaigbovo Iyoha; Chairmen of Egor, Oredo, and Ikpoba-Okha councils; Ndigbo Community in Edo State; market women associations, students, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs); traditional and religious leaders; National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW); commissioners; permanent secretaries and other government functionaries.
The governor, who reiterated the role of planning in societal development, said the master plan will drive further development in the state’s tourism, education, health, environment and sports sectors.
Obaseki explained that the master plan by the Samuel Ogbemudia administration had expired and pledged to complete the process place before leaving office. “This plan will be backed by legislation and my administration will ensure that the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) passes it into law for successive administrations to follow and use in developing the state.
“This legislation has become important and any government that attempts to change any aspect of the plan will be resisted unless the EDHA approves such changes. This is the only way Edo State can grow,” he said.
According to him, the document will not be public but also a legislative document passed into law, adding, “it will be unlawful for governments or successive administrations to work outside the plan. The area designated for a purpose must be used for that purpose specified by the plan and the contrary will lead to prosecution.”
Obaseki stated that the Edo State Regional Development Plan deals with the entire state, while the Benin City Master Plan deals with Benin City, which has been overpopulated due to the influx of people.
“These plans will cover tourism, education, health, environment, and sports, amongst other aspects to ensure prompt development and growth of the state and its citizens. Your thoughts and views are needed to make Edo an envy of all other states,” he said.
Obaseki, who noted that his administration has done a lot to bring in investors into various sectors of the state’s economy, said the master plan will further create an enabling environment to attract and retain more investors in the state.
