The Edo State Commissioner for Business, Trade and Cooperatives, Honourable Patrick Iria Uanseru, has said that industrialization is a crucial component in achieving sustained and inclusive economic growth.
He disclosed this in an address as part of the activities to commemorate this year’s “Africa Industrialization Day”, adding that by incorporating new equipment and processes, industries can boost productivity, increase employee competencies and create jobs.
While connecting industrialization with the domestic economy, Uanseru said, “Industrialization is inextricably linked with the domestic economy and will ultimately boost growth rates across Africa nations.
“It will help build resilient economies in these countries and reduce their vulnerability to negative external influences”.
According to Uanseru, this will have a significant impact on poverty alleviation by creating more employment opportunities for the people on the continent.
The theme of this year’s celebration of Africa Industrialization Day is, “Accelerating Africa’s industrialization through the empowerment of African women in processing for an integrated market”.
Speaking further on this year’s theme, the commissioner said, ” This theme is quite apt as there is a need for renewed commitment towards industrialization having played so much lip service to industrialization in the past.
“The theme serves as a call for us to resume our devotion as a state to safeguard environmentally sound practices to include and implement a strategy that involves choosing to structure an operation to provide a wide range of revenue sources from an increased spectrum of sectors or markets.
“It provides an opportunity for primary stakeholders to reflect on Edo State’s industrialization by viewing how the state can change its present state of affairs. Sequel to the above, Edo State has been able to renew its allegiance to reduce waste by going paperless (e-gov), encouraging sustainable transportation and renewing energy.
“Over the years, the state government has instituted several reforms to address bureaucratic constraints in the business environment and drive the industrialization process in Edo State.
“We have embarked on many initiatives to simplify business processes within the state by taking active steps to digitalize the processes and introduce targeted reforms.
“The Edo State Geographical Information Service (GIS) has considerably reduced the amount of time required to acquire land documentation in the state for investment purposes.
“We are committed to attracting investors and making Edo State the preferred investment destination in Nigeria. Therefore, the Edo State Government is taking proactive and practical steps to develop and transform its economic base and create prosperity for its citizenry.
” The state has attracted investment projects from both local and foreign interest groups. Such investments include Dangote Group, BUA Group, Yonxing Steel, Time Ceramics, Rongsheng Glass, Watson Doors to name but a few. These companies are thriving very well in the state.
“The Benin Enterprise Park which is an initiative of this administration will be Nigeria’s premier mixed used Enterprise Park, combining industrial, commercial and residential zones in 997 hectares (almost 10 square km) of well-situated real estate.
“The park is designed to attract world class industries that are keen to be at the logistical centre of Africa’s biggest and most vibrant economy.
“It will provide a superbly master planned site with state-of-the-art and secure infrastructure facilities, including quality control labs, warehousing and raw materials storage, freight forwarding and logistic services, reliable and centrally provided uninterruptible power supply, communication, modernized water and waste treatment plants and much more.
“Therefore, the decision to develop a port in Edo State is based primarily on the economic viability of the project, and social economic benefits to the people. Located at the confluence of Benin River and Osse River which is the tail end of Edo State, a distance of only 32km to the coast line.
“The port is named after Benin City, the historical capital City of Edo State and located along the Benin River and could be accessed from the Atlantic Ocean through the Bight of Benin.
” In order to ensure a viable and sustainable project, the unique Benin River Port is now proposed to be developed as a specialized and dedicated port. Hence, key into the Federal Government’s initiative of diversifying the economy away from oil, and into areas such as agriculture and agro-allied businesses.
“In all of these, the Benin Enterprise Park and Benin River Port or Benin Port Project are being executed under PPP arrangement. This is to ensure inclusiveness and sustainability of the projects.
“As the projects will be driven by the private investors and the state government facilitating the process, there is the assurance that the 1st phase of the project would be commissioned soonest. In fact, the 1st phase of the Benin Enterprise Park will be commissioned before the end of Godwin Obaseki’s administration next year”.
Uanseru called on people of Edo State to join hands together to work with the Obaseki – led administration in the remaining one-year tenure or thereabout to enable the governor of Edo State to finish strong.
The annual event was announced on November, 20 during this session. Africa Industrialization Day was recognized by the United Nations General Assembly on December 22, 1989 and on November 20, 1990, it was celebrated for the first time.
