…threatens to liquidate Presco, Okomu, render thousands jobless
…planning to revoke MOWAA’s C-of-O, destroy Edo tourism industry
The ongoing onslaught and unprecedented attack on the private sector in Edo State by Senator Monday Okpebholo not only betrays his ignorance of the critical role the private sector plays in driving economic growth and development but further exposes his incompetence and lack of capacity for contemporary governance.
Is it not sickening and incomprehensible that the governor who is supposed to superintend over the progress, advancement, and economic transformation of his own State, is the same person who has launched virulent attacks on blue-chip companies such as Presco and Okomu Plc, who are today, the two largest investors and employers of labour in the State?
If nothing else, the vast operations of Presco and Okomu in Edo State provide an extensive value chain that directly and indirectly empowers thousands of Edo people. Local farmers who supply raw materials to these companies find stable markets for their produce, ensuring stable incomes for the farmers. Contractors who supply goods and services, as well as distributors who ensure that the products of these companies get to the nooks and crannies of the State and other parts of the global market, create a wide web of economic activities, all of which boost government revenue and increase employment opportunities for the people, among other benefits.
Is it not mind-boggling, then, that Okpebholo would defy all logic and reason by targeting these businesses, despite the critical role they play in the advancement of Edo State’s economy?
Today, Edo State is reputed to have the largest area of land under oil palm cultivation in Africa, with top Fast-Moving Consumer Goods companies positioning themselves to take advantage of the prospects of the Edo State Oil Palm Programme (ESOPP), which has transformed the industry into a multi-billion-dollar sector, creating jobs, supporting host communities, and generating substantial revenue for the government.
This ambitious oil programme which was initiated by His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki as at today contributes about 12 percent of the country’s aggregate palm oil production, placing Edo State as number one in Nigeria ahead of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.
Unfortunately, instead of sustaining and expanding these efforts to drive the state’s development, the Okpebholo government has continued to sabotage this initiative, trying to cripple it, along with other projects that have positioned Edo as the top investment destination in the country.
We are also aware of the governor’s plans to revoke the Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), as part of the ongoing onslaught on private investments in the State.
Does anyone need to tell Okpebholo about the economic impact of the MOWAA project on the State? A project that has been identified by The New York Times as number 25 on the list of top 50 global tourist destinations for 2025, ranking among England’s Jane Austen, the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, White Lotus in Thailand, Aix-en-Provence in France, Dolomite Mountains in Italy and Magdalena River in Colombia, amongst others?
Beyond transforming the State into a global cultural and tourism hub, MOWAA, one of Africa’s most ambitious new exhibition spaces, continues to attract support from international organizations and multilateral institutions. Its potential to boost tourism and generate massive revenue inflows cannot be overstated.
Isn’t it therefore baffling that a governor would want to destroy such a project?
The Radisson Hotel Project has also been in Okpebholo’s firing line. We are aware that the governor has attempted several times to find loopholes to undermine and destroy the project, regardless of its huge impact on the State’s tourism and hospitality sectors.
Okpebholo has also targeted the Benin City Mall Project, which houses ShopRite and other established businesses, not considering the fact that this project is a major driver of commerce in the State, attracting a large number of shoppers and providing employment opportunities to Edo residents, in a desperate attempt to fulfill Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s threat to make it ‘Shop Dead.’
Okpebholo for the past 73 days has been a bull in the ‘Edo China shop’, and he continues to threaten and target projects and organizations that put Edo State on the map of top business and investment destinations and others that attract millions of dollars of investments into the State.
We, therefore, call on all well-meaning Edo people to join this essential effort to rein Okpebholo in and ensure he does not mortgage the future of the State and its people for his short-sighted political gains.
As we have repeatedly stated, Okpebholo is a politician out of his depth. He came into power without a plan or development agenda and he is, therefore, exploring avenues to mask his incompetence and unpreparedness for office.
While we remain confident that the judiciary will restore the mandate rightfully given to Dr. Asue Ighodalo by the Edo people, we continue to urge all Edo citizens to stand firm against the tyrannical behavior of Monday Okpebholo until Ighodalo regains his mandate.
Crusoe Osagie, Media Adviser to His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki,
Governor of Edo State (2016-2024)