Efforts to attract foreign investments and boost local capacity in Edo State as initiated by Governor Godwin Obaseki have attracted commitment from the German Government and Arctic Infrastructure (AI), an infrastructure delivery firm.
Speaking during a meeting attended by officials of the state government, Arctic Infrastructure (AI) and the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, in Lagos, Edo State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Hon. Dr. Edorodion Oye Erimona, said the parties have entered into a partnership that will foster “evolving cooperation to improve the urban development processes, infrastructure delivery and technical education in Edo State.”
Hon. Erimona explained that during the meeting, the state government “provided overview of social and economic potential and opportunities in Edo State with specific focus on urban and infrastructural development by highlighting efforts of the State Government at improving the Ease of Doing Business in the state through the instruments of urban development among which is the establishment of a new development management institution being led by the Arctic Infrastructure (AI).”
He said skills acquisition programmes, investment platforms, and massive infrastructural renewal are some of the areas the Governor Obaseki-led administration has been targeting to attain a sustainable environment for the residents in the state.
The Consul General, Federal Republic of Germany, in Lagos, Dr. Stefan Trumann, expressed appreciation and confidence in the openness of Edo State to new ideas and investment opportunities.
Trumann noted that the Consulate was ready to partner with the state government in facilitating capacity building and exchange programmes, technical education and prospect of a trilateral relationship with some other countries.
He commended the reach out to the GIZ on energy efficiency building component of the urbanisation project in Edo State, noting that the Consulate looks forward to a successful relationship among the partners.
Project Director, Arctic Infrastructure, Mr. Lookman Oshodi, whose firm is working with Edo State Government to establish a new development management agency in the state, said AI “looks forward to the collaboration between Edo State Government and the German Consulate in the areas of infrastructure investments, capacity building, and participatory urban regeneration projects.”
