By Joy Richardson
Governor Monday Okpebholo has assured members of the Welders Association of Nigeria (WAN), Edo State Chapter, of his administration’s commitment to creating a business-friendly environment that will enable artisans and entrepreneurs to thrive.
The governor gave the assurance while receiving the President of the association, Mr. Peter Osagie, and other executive members during a courtesy visit to Government House, Benin City.
Okpebholo said his administration was already taking concrete steps to address the persistent power challenges affecting businesses across the state.
“I am ready to partner with you. We are already working to improve the power supply affecting your businesses,” he said.
According to the governor, a 100-megawatt power project currently under construction in Ologbo is expected to become operational before November.
“We are already working on it. A 100-megawatt power project is in the pipeline, and I am confident that between now and November it will come on stream.
“We will utilise the power here in Edo, and it will be one of the largest electricity projects in the state. We are also working to replicate similar projects in Edo North and Edo Central to decentralise power supply across the three senatorial districts,” he said.
He noted that his administration remains committed to fulfilling its campaign promises through investments in infrastructure and public services.
“That is why you voted for us to make life more comfortable for our people. The roads we are constructing are for the benefit of Edo residents,” the governor added.
Okpebholo also assured the association that the ongoing rehabilitation of the Benin–Sapele Road would be completed soon, disclosing that the project was already about 90 per cent completed.
He reaffirmed his resolve to leave the state better than he met it through sustained investments in infrastructure, security and inclusive governance.
“I have resolved to leave Edo better than I met it. In the coming months, our people will witness more developmental projects. We are also making plans to provide new vehicles for all local governments and release about 200 buses under an instalment payment scheme,” he said.
Speaking on national issues, the governor praised President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, describing the removal of fuel subsidy as a bold decision that had freed resources for development.
He also said the President’s tax reform initiatives were designed to benefit low-income earners.
The governor urged members of the association to continue supporting the government and cautioned them against allowing themselves to be used for acts capable of undermining peace and the electoral process.
Earlier, the President of the Welders Association of Nigeria, Edo State Chapter, Mr. Peter Osagie, commended Governor Okpebholo for creating an enabling environment for businesses and for improving security across the state.
Osagie disclosed that the association had developed designs for the construction of bus terminals along the Benin–Sapele Road corridor and appealed to the state government to establish a dedicated welders’ village to accommodate members of the association.
He identified irregular power supply as the association’s major challenge and sought the government’s intervention.
The association’s president also expressed the group’s readiness to partner with the state government in tackling the challenge of out-of-school children through vocational training programmes.
“We have designed a comprehensive training programme across the 18 local government areas to reduce the number of out-of-school children by equipping them with vocational skills. We seek the government’s partnership to expand this initiative,” he said.
Osagie further pledged the association’s support for the administration and expressed confidence in its continued collaboration with both the Edo State Government and the Federal Government.
