Government money is for the people, not for politicians and friends - Obaseki

Governor Godwin Obaseki has approved 50 hectares of farmland for three international investors for the production of palm oil in the state.

The parcel of land, according to the governor, is on lease to three new companies coming from Asia, noting that the move is part of efforts by his government to boost the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and create more employment opportunities for residents.

Obaseki, who said this while addressing supporters during his reelection campaign rally in Abiokunla Ward 1, Orhionmwon local government area of the state.

He explained that the project would be sited in the area to further open it for more economic activities and better the lives of residents in the local government.

Orhionmwon is the local government area where All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu is from.

The governor said the promise to make the state an investment hub and rapidly grow its economy through agriculture remains on course, assuring that his administration will continue to pursue more policies and reforms to ensure an enabling environment where businesses can thrive.

Obaseki further promised to “restore Orhionmwon back to its original status as the food basket of Edo state, build more infrastructure and ensure the completion of the College of Education and build modern training schools in the area.”

Assuring of his administration’s commitment to using available resources to work for the development of the state and the well-being of all citizens, the governor said: “Government money is meant to help the people and better their lives; taxpayers’ money is meant for infrastructural development to improve the living standards of the people and not to be shared.

“We are not ready to go back to the old ways where some few politicians shared public funds among themselves and their friends.”

Meanwhile, Obaseki has been honoured as the Most Outstanding Governor of The Year 2019 by the Nigerian Association of Christian Journalists, Edo state chapter.

Presenting the award to the governor during his reelection campaign in Eyaen Wards 5 and 6, in Uhunmwode local government area, secretary-general of the association, Dr Charles Okhai, noted that the honour was on the back of the governor’s sterling performance across all sectors of the state.