The Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has said his administration is implementing policies aimed at creating a friendly ecosystem for manufacturing, job creation and sustainable economic growth.
Okpebholo stated this during the groundbreaking ceremony for a 100MW Power Generating Plant and a 300 Metric Tons Per Day Liquefied Natural Gas facility at the Taihu Industrial Park in Ologbo.
The governor noted that the project represents a major step toward strengthening industrial growth, improving energy security and accelerating economic transformation in the state.
According to him, the investment will bring prosperity to residents and open more opportunities for collaboration between the state government and investors.
“We are happy that this great investment is happening in our time. We are not signing MoUs but following the law to develop the state. We do not sign fake MoUs but follow due process in Edo State,” he said.
Okpebholo added that when the proposal for the power project was first presented to his administration, the government moved quickly to support it, including providing land for the development.
“We did not waste time in partnering with the company and offering land for the project. What matters to us is the investment and the development it will bring to Edo State,” he added.
The governor also aligned the project with the economic vision of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that reliable electricity supply remains critical to industrialisation.
“In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, power is the backbone of industrialisation. With this power plant we are creating an environment-friendly ecosystem for manufacturing, job creation and sustainable economic growth in Edo State,” he said.
He urged the host community to support the project by maintaining peace and protecting the investment to ensure long-term benefits for the people.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Hon. Eric Osawaru, described the groundbreaking as an important milestone for the local government, the state and Nigeria’s energy sector.
He said the project demonstrates what can be achieved through collaboration between visionary leadership, private sector investment and community partnership.
“For the people of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, this project represents jobs, skills development, infrastructure growth and community empowerment,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the host community, Deacon Osazuwa commended the governor for creating an investment-friendly environment that has boosted investor confidence in the state.
He expressed gratitude for locating the project in Ologbo, noting that it would stimulate economic activities and development in the area.
Also speaking, the Edo State Commissioner for Power, Paul Usebor, described the project as a bold step in the state’s journey to become a hub for reliable electricity generation and industrial development.
Usebor said the 100MW power plant would significantly strengthen electricity supply within the state and beyond, while the 300 metric tons per day LNG facility would support cleaner energy production, improved gas utilisation and enhanced energy security.
A representative of Taihu Industrial Park, Jiang Fan, explained that the project is part of the broader Taihu Benin Industrial Park development and assured that the facility, once completed within six months, would provide reliable power for industries and surrounding communities.
The first phase of the Taihu Benin Industrial Park project will cover about 29 hectares in the Ologbo area and is being developed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation as the major contractor.
Upon completion, the project is expected to provide stable energy supply and support regional industrial development.
