Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, on Saturday, performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the N200 billion Benin Industrial Park at Iyanomo, in Ikpoba Okha local government council of Edo State, assuring of the federal government’s readiness to support the project and see to its completion.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Osinbajo said the industrial park would create 170, 000 direct and indirect jobs, as well as, contribute significantly to the country’s manufacturing sector.
Commending Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, for the huge public-private investment initiative, Osinbajo said: “This is what the country has been waiting for to take us to the height that we desire. Several other countries have embarked on this line of industry and succeeded. If we put in the same effort as them, we will also excel.”
The Vice President added that “this strategy has been adopted in some Asian countries and they have achieved economic growth, diversified their economy, and are now exporters of consumer goods.”
He expressed optimism that the industrial park would not only lead to job creation, but bring down the cost of goods and services in the state and country at large, change the face of the Nigerian economy and unleash its industrial potential.
Earlier, Governor Obaseki said the industrial park at Iyanomo is the first in the series of parks his administration intends to establish to make Edo an Industrial hub, stressing that the park, which is a public-private partnership initiative was designed by Mahindra Engineering and would conform to 21st Century standard.
His words: “I promised that if I become the governor of Edo State I will create the enabling environment for businesses to thrive and improve the quality of lives of our people. Our goal to industrialise Edo is already yielding results and our hope is to create employment for thousands of people in the state.”
He said that the gas that will power the industrial park already exists within the park’s location and assured that the park would be built within 12 months, even as he commended the Federal Government for its relentless commitment to the industrialisation of Edo.
The event was chaired by Benin Monarch, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku
Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II.