Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has set the agenda for his second term in office saying his administration will concentrate on expanding the economy of the state by increasing the GDP and creating wealth.
Speaking during the visit of the management team of the Nigeria Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), led by its Executive Director, Dr Omoefe Asemota to him in his office, yesterday, the Governor said this would be done in addition to the ongoing infrastructural development and urban renewal programme in the state.
He said: “In this second term, it is clear to me that we have to sustain what we are already doing but also focus on expanding the economy of the state, increasing the Gross Domestic Product and creating wealth.”
According to him, “to get full value of the rural roads we have constructed, agriculture must be taken seriously and I have directed the Commissioner for Agriculture that we have to be more active.”
While noting that the state government is ready to collaborate with NIFOR, Comrade Oshiomhole disclosed that every institution in the state is part of the corporate citizen in the state.
“We are happy to oblige farmers land to farm. The Dangote group has indicated interest to invest about a billion Naira investment in oil palm in the state when land is provided and we are working to keep the people busy by planting cassava not only for domestic consumption but for also for export,” he noted
The Executive Director, NIFOR, Dr. Asemota commended the efforts of the state governor at repositioning the state within the last four years, especially in the area of agriculture, and promised to collaborate with the state government in the sector.
He urged the state government to establish a 50,000-hectare oil palm belt which could be expanded saying this would encourage investors into the oil palm sector in the state and further create jobs.
