By Davidson Ogbebor

BENIN CITY — Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating a business-friendly environment, assuring members of the Welders Association of Nigeria (Edo State Chapter) of improved infrastructure and reliable electricity to boost their operations.

The governor gave the assurance on Tuesday when he received the association’s state president, Mr. Peter Osagie, and other executives on a courtesy visit to the Government House in Benin City.

Okpebholo said his administration was addressing the challenge of unstable electricity supply, describing reliable power as critical to the growth of small and medium-scale enterprises.

According to him, a 100-megawatt power project being developed in Ologbo is expected to become operational before November.

“We are already working on it. The 100-megawatt project is on course, and I am confident that before November it will begin supplying electricity in Edo State. It will be one of the biggest power projects in the state,” he said.

The governor added that similar power projects were being planned for Edo North and Edo Central Senatorial Districts to decentralise electricity distribution and improve access across the state.

He said ongoing road projects were aimed at improving the business climate and enhancing the welfare of residents, noting that the rehabilitation of the Benin-Sapele Road was about 90 per cent completed.

“I have made up my mind to leave Edo State better than I met it in terms of infrastructure and security. We are building an inclusive Edo where everyone can thrive,” Okpebholo said.

The governor also disclosed that the state government would soon provide new vehicles for all the 18 local government councils and roll out about 200 buses under an instalment payment scheme to improve transportation.

Speaking on national politics, Okpebholo praised President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, saying the policy had created resources for developmental projects across the country.

He also defended the Federal Government’s tax reform initiative, describing it as a policy designed to benefit low-income earners.

The governor urged members of the association to continue supporting the government and avoid being used to undermine the electoral process.

Earlier, the President of the Welders Association of Nigeria, Edo State Chapter, Mr. Peter Osagie, commended the governor for improving security and creating a conducive environment for businesses.

He disclosed that the association had developed a proposal to construct bus terminals along the reconstructed Benin-Sapele Road and appealed to the state government to establish a dedicated welding village to accommodate members.

Osagie identified erratic electricity supply as the association’s major challenge and sought government support to improve power availability for welders across the state.

He also said the association had designed a vocational training programme across the state’s 18 local government areas to reduce the number of out-of-school children through skills acquisition.

“We want to partner with the Edo State Government to train more out-of-school children and equip them with vocational skills that will make them self-reliant,” he said.

The association further pledged its support for the Tinubu administration ahead of future elections, expressing confidence in mobilising its members and their families in support of the President.