Benin City- Edo state Commissioner for Mineral,Oil and Gas,Hon Joseph Ugbeoke has restated the commitment of Governor Godwin Obaseki in actualizing his vision of turning Edo state into an industrial hub.

The commissioner gave the assurance when he paid a familiarization visit to the Benin field office of the Department of Petroleum Resources(DPR).

Hon Ugbeoke stated that since assumption of office ,the ministry has initiated interactive platform with strategic partners aimed at repositioning the Mineral, Oil and Gas sector,while describing the DPR as a key player.

Hon Ugbeoke canvassed for a sustainable synergy between the state Government and DPR in order to curtail the unwholesome activities of some marketers of petroleum products whose stock in trade is to adulterate and under dispense products to unsuspecting members of the public.

The Oil and Gas commissioner urged federal government agencies operating in Edo state to accord priority to Edo indigenes in the recruitment of personnel so as to generate employment and boost the state’s economy. He disclosed that plans are being perfected by the state government to convey a stakeholders meeting of oil bearing communities in for sustainable peace and development of the host communities in particular and the state in general.

Earlier in his address,the operations Controller of DPR,Benin Field Office, Engr Maynard Oriaifo noted that the Benin office commenced operations in 2015.

He pledged the collaboration of the DPR with the state government,particularly in checkmating the influx of substandard gas cylinders into the state as well as the open sales of contaminated engine oil.