The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has said his government is committed to ensuring the even spread of developmental projects across the state.
Governor Obaseki, who was represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, gave the assurance during a courtesy visit by the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu.
He said his administration would welcome ideas that would improve the economy of the state, noting, “In the course of our collaboration, we are willing to make Edo and our country a better place for all. The era of waiting for manna from oil revenue is gone. Now we have to think outside the box to make things work.”
Obaseki added, “For us, our efforts at development must have the people as the central focus. If we are not able to deliver on the needs of our people, then the government should not exist. We have all our plans worked out; we just unveiled a 30-year development plan during the celebration of the state’s 30th anniversary.
“This is a vision for the people, which will be backed by law. That is why we enjoy support from both international and national partners because all our programmes are directed to the common man on the street.”
In his remarks, the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu said he inaugurated four Songhai Farms in the state to boost food security.
According to him, “There is a need for communities to start seeing government projects and programmes as their own. The purpose of the Benin-Owena River Basin was not to make money. The purpose is to make the place an enabler for the communities to embrace what we are doing in terms of agriculture.
“Even when we came looking for land, they should see us as partners. The people are the government and the government are the people. Government exists because the people are there. Communities should embrace what we are doing and partner with us.
“We are just enablers. At the end of the day, we intend to spread Songhai farming techniques across communities so that farmers all over the state can adopt the novel idea. The modern technique improves their productivity.”
