On the back of far-reaching reforms by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration to drive investment and boost economic activities in Edo, the State has continued to witness a surge of big-ticket players with investment by Dufil Prima Food Limited, makers of Indomie Noodles, hitting N25billion in five years.
The surge in investment in Edo reflects the burgeoning confidence of the private sector in the conducive business environment created by Governor Obaseki over the past eight years, repositioning the state as a prime destination for business and commerce.
Speaking to journalists in Benin City, the governor said the reforms have ensured the inflow of substantial investment from various investors into the state, significantly contributing to job creation and economic growth and development.
According to him, “Dufil Prima Food Limited got land from Edo State Government to farm oil palm when they started their oil palm business in 2019, and when they started, they saw the need to diversify into cassava because of the availability of the product and as you can see today, they have invested in excess of N25 billion naira in various investments.
“We are here to see how far they have gone, see what they have done, the challenges they have, and how collectively as State Government and ESOPP investors we can work to reduce the risk and encourage more investments.”
Obaseki further noted, “We are benefiting from various investments in the state like the factory of Dufil built four years ago and producing quality cassava flour and other byproducts for the poultry Industry. The state is benefiting from the food sufficiency standpoint from this investment.
“We have received substantial investment from various investors as investment has come into the state and a lot has come into the economy of Edo State, showing that a lot of economic activities are going on.”
On the economic impact of the investment, the governor stated, “From the farm and ethanol factory, they created over 1,500 direct jobs for the people. They are helping us reduce the challenge of unemployment, develop the state, expand it, and bring in people into the area with better opportunities. Edo State is one State where you can come to invest and make a lot of returns and grow your business.”
He added, “Dufil has shown us that what we are producing as cassava is not up to the demand. The variety of cassava used for industrial production is different from the one we eat.”
