ON Thursday January 28, 2021, the premises of Bendel Newspapers Company Limited (BNCL), publishers of the OBSERVER tittles was energised to the CCETC-Ossiomo power plant, courtesy of Edo State government.
THE premises also houses the Edo Creative Hub, an iniative of the State Governor, Mr Goodwin Obaseki to provide viable space for innovative youths in the creative industry.
BNCL is now guaranteed a 24-hour uninterrupted power supply, 52 years after the newspapers publishing outfit was established by the Late Gen. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia when he was Mlitary Governor of the defunct Midwest State.
WITH this, BNCL has now severed relationship with the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) in terms of electricity power supply which has been epileptic over the years.
THE present move is part of Edo State government drive to restructure the state owned company for uptimum performance and better service delivery.
IT has now joined the list of government ministries, agencies and departments in Edo State that are presently enjoying 24-hour power supply, haven energised the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, State Secretariat and Palm House on Sapele Road, Central Hospital, Stella Obasanjo Hospital and Government House, among others.
THE laudable development which is a watershed moment in the history of BNCL is as legendary as it is eventful .
THE Edo Creative Hub, operated by the Edo State Skills Development Agency (Edojobs) which is part of a number of initiative to drive job creation and skills development in the state has a facility within the BNCL premises.
Head of Edojobs, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare said that with the 24-hour power supply from the 55MM CCET-Ossiomo power plant, all is now set for the opening of the Creative Hub.
EVEN though it is part of the electioneery campaign promises of the governor to provide stable power supply to government buildings, agencies, departments, other public utilities and local industries ahead of the 2020 governorship election which paved the way for his second term as governor of the state, the power project is a further demonstration of the governor Obaseki-led government commitment to ensuring a conducive business environment for stakeholders in the state, including investors.
IT is not only laudable, but also timely, especially now that the state government industrialisation drive is gaining more momentum.
INDEED, obervers believe that the power plant has opened up another phase in the industrialisation drive, with more prospects in the offing.
THE people of Edo State could not have wished for anything better from a governor the people overwhelmingly voted for to actualise his Make Edo Great Again (MEGA) plan for the state.
SINCE assuming office on November 12, 2016, he has never left anyone in doubt about his ability to deliver on his promises.
THE recent applaud and standing ovation for the governor by the staff and management of BNCL at a meeting in the company’s premises is laudable and he deserves nothing less.
THE Nigerian OBSERVER commends the vision of Mr Obaseki in his transformation agenda which will continue to be a reference point across the 36 states of Nigeria and the FCT.
