Alaghodaro Summit 2023: Participants Commend Obaseki over Edo’s Socio-economic, Infrastructural Devt

 Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Some of the participants, in the ongoing Alaghodaro Summit in a Edo State, have spoke glowingly on the economic and infrastructural development of the state in the last seven years of Governor Godwin Obaseki administration, noting that it is commendable especially in the area of partnership with the private sector.

The participants who spoke include market women, civil society  organisation, organised labour, civil servants, bankers among others, lauded the state government for its development strides in the last seven years.

They noted that the infrastructure, such as the 6000 barrels per day Edo Refinery and Petrochemical Company (ERPC), located in Ologbo in Ikpoba Okha; and the 2500 barrels per day Duport Refinery run by Duport Refinery Company Limited, in Egbokor, Orhionmwon local government area of the sate, had changed the economic and environmental landscape of the state

One of the participants, Samson Aibangbee,  who spoke to journalists, described Alaghodaro Summit as a very bold step by Obaseki to reposition the state economically.

He described the governor’s collaboration with the private sector and with banks such First Bank, which is celebrating its 130 years of financial stability, as very rewarding.

According to Aibangbee, “Imagine having to tap into the financial expertise of strong institutions like First Bank and others, with a long standing record of financial stability, would obviously galvanise the economic viability of Edo State to the desired next level”.

Addressing participants and dignitaries among whom is the Executive Director, Chief Finance Officer, First Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Patrick Iyamabor, at the colourful Summit, held at the New Festival Hall, Government House,

Governor Godwin Obaseki, said his administration had done so much in the area of socio-economic and infrastructural growth of the state, adding that it had put the state on solid footing on those two parameters to compete with any state economy globally.

He noted that the process of shared opportunity that led the state into the future started seven years ago during his first Alaghodaro Summit.

“In laying the foundation for the future, we identified seven areas which are, education, institutional reforms, economy, investment, agriculture, manufacturing and production. All the things we set for ourselves in our first summit have been achieved”, the governor announced.

Earlier, the Alaghodaro Summit Chairman, Mr. Asue Ighodalo, said that the summit was organised to showcase the progress recorded in transforming the state into an investment haven, adding that the Alaghodaro Summit was a platform used to interact with business people to exchange ideas that can move the state forward.