Dr. Dennis Osahon Aikoriogie, the gubernatorial candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM) in Edo state, has unveiled plans to revitalize the industrial sector in the state. Edo State, known as a civil service state due to the lack of industries and factories, has seen many young graduates leaving in search of opportunities in cities like Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Abuja.
Dr. Aikoriogie’s administration aims to harness the abundant resources in the state, such as bitumen and gas, to attract foreign direct investment and build factories. This, in turn, will create employment opportunities for the youth of Edo State.
Key areas of implementation for the administration include the resuscitation of moribund factories such as Bendel Brewery, Edo Pharmaceuticals, Ewu Flour Mills, Okpella Cement Factory, and others. These factories will undergo privatization and commercialization, with the state government holding a minority share.
The administration also plans to establish the Edo Mining Corporation Ltd, which will oversee the exploration, licensing, investment, marketing, and export of solid minerals in the state. Additionally, stakeholders meetings will be held with multinational companies in the state to review their corporate social responsibility and employment policies.
Furthermore, Dr. Aikoriogie’s administration will re-engineer the exploitation and management of forest reserves in the state, with a focus on creating value-added products for export. The establishment of the Edo Timber Processing & Manufacturing Company Ltd will help maximize the value chain and generate employment opportunities for the youth.
The industrialization plans of Dr. Dennis Osahon Aikoriogie aim to transform Edo State into a hub for manufacturing and processing industries, creating a sustainable economy and reducing the brain drain of young graduates to other cities.
