The Ekhaladeran Peoples Forum (EPF) has expressed support for the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki’s plans to revive the Gelegele Seaport in Ovia North East Local Council, to boost trade and investment in the state.
A leader of the Forum, Austine Aimuwu, told journalists in Benin City that the people would remain grateful to the Governor, if he is able to commence and complete the laudable seaport project in his tenure.
The reactivation of the seaport will not only boost maritime, employment generation and other activities in the state, but also enhance the government’s revenue generation drive, while also fast-tracking development in the region.
He commended the setting up the technical committee headed by Engr. Gregory Ero, urging it to come out with a plan for the port.
The Secretary General of the group, who is also the Vice Chairman, Host Communities of Oil Producing Area in Edo State, Stanley Osayande, assured the Governor of their readiness to cooperate and ensure the security of the construction company that will work on the seaport to make it a reality.
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EDO GELEGELE SEA PORT FINALLY HERE :
Edo State to make Gelegele Seaport a Container Terminal.
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has revealed plans to develop the Gelegele seaport into a modern container terminal.
Obaseki disclosed this during the inauguration of a technical committee to oversee the development of the seaport in the state.
He said that the state government was in talks with the Federal Ministry of Transport on the possibilities of making the seaport a container terminal.
According to him, making it a container terminal would boost revenue generation; create more jobs; and in the end, boost economic activities in the state.
He added that the location would also house an agro-industrial park that would increase exportation of agricultural produces from the state.
Obaseki however noted that the inauguration of the committee was one of the major steps taken by his administration to fire up the state’s economy as well as the country’s economic frontier at large.
He said, “The importance of developing the Gelegele sea port cannot be overemphasized. Apart from the historical importance, Gelegele seaport still has a significant role to play in the future of the economic development of Edo. It will lead to promotion of trade and commerce and employment and lead to significant infrastructure development within the host community and environs”..
Meanwhile, the governor urged the committee to come up with a blueprint on how to actualise the vision to create a viable seaport.
In addition, he outlined the terms of reference of the technical committee to include “advising the government on the feasibility of developing the seaport as an import and export zone, and, to liaise on behalf of the state with relevant federal government agencies and other maritime related agencies, private sector participants and other stakeholders respectively”.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Committee, Engineer Greg Ero thanked the governor for the confidence he showed in the committee to drive the process of developing the seaport. He assured the governor that the Committee would not fail in the discharge of its duties.
“We are happy that you put this project of developing Gelegele in the front burner of your economic policy of your administration. Gelegele has been wasting away for centuries now; we thank you for your foresight to join hands with the Oba of Benin to develop it”, he said.
Picture: Governor Godwin Obaseki addressing members of the committee headed by Engineer Greg Ero
John Mayaki
Chief Press Secretary (Interim)
Governor's Office
08038380339, 08075555111
GOVERNMENT HOUSE BENIN CITY, EDO STATE
info@johnmayaki.com
cps@edostate.gov.ng
doneljohnel@gmail.com
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"You have my full support", Oba of Benin assures Governor Obaseki.
The Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, has assured Edo state Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki of the palace support and praised the governor for the inauguration of the Committee on the Gelegele project.
The Oba, whose first official outing after his coronation blessed Governor Obaseki saying "you have my full support".
He spoke at the state government house after having a close door meeting with Governor Obaseki.
Oba Ewuare II said they discussed issues of mutual cooperation and that the Benin Palace was ready to partner with the state government for the development of the state.
The Benin Monarch said he was passionate about the establishment of the proposed Export Free Processing Zone in Gelegele, Ovia North East Local Government.
The Benin Monarch explained that instead of Gelegele Seaport, he chose to focus on Export Free Zone because he was so advised by experts, adding that he and governor Obaseki also discussed roads that will link up with the Export Free Zone and the Gelegele Seaport among other things.
The Benin Monarch explained that instead of Gelegele Seaport, he chose to focus on Export Free Zone because he was so advised by experts, adding that he and governor Obaseki also discussed roads that will link up with the Export Free Zone and the Gelegele Seaport among other things.
According to him, " I am passionate about the Export Free Processing Zone. That is what the Federal Government will easily accept. The Gelegele seaport will be tied to the Export Free Processing Zone project for the evacuation of proceeds".
The Oba said the governor is not just a politician. He is a technocrat as he was described. He should match his words with action as he has always done.
On his part, Governor Obaseki informed the Monarch that he has made difficult but necessary decision in the last 70 days of his administration.
Governor Obaseki said he dealt with the issue of financial and and fiscal responsibility by producing a budget proposal that will take the state out of the current economic challenges.
Obaseki said he has secured several investors confidence in China to come and invest in different sectors.
He said he would soon send a bill criminalizing activities of Community Development Associations in the state to the state House of Assembly,
The governor noted that without proper land administration, his administration would not able to create the 200,000 jobs it promised.
His words, "In the last 70 days, we have been able to take difficult and necessary decision.
"We are dealing with issue of financial and and fiscal responsibility. We look at the future and current situation we are facing and we produce a budget we believe will take us out of economic challenges.
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