Edo to boost GDP with natural resources development – Ugheoke

Edo State commissioner for solid minerals, oil and gas, Joseph Ugheoke, said the vision of the Godwin Obaseki-led government was to optimally harness the natural resources in the state to boost its gross domestic product (GDP) and internally generated revenue (IGR).
Ugheoke said this in an interview with newsmen when he formally resumed office yesterday in Benin City, saying, “My vision is to take the ministry of solid minerals, oil and gas to the next or higher level. I will look at the areas of interest where I will contribute more positively to uplift the ministry.
“The decision of the governor is to make Edo State the commercial and industrial hub of Nigeria. The vision is that if we cannot beat Lagos State in terms of increase in GDP and IGR, hopefully we can be number two in the country.
“That is the dream of the governor, and I do hope that in no distant time the people of the state will know that they voted for the right party and the right person as a governor. And more so, they will not regret exercising their franchise wisely during the governorship election.”
The commissioner, who said the government was continuity from the policies and programmes of the past Adams Oshiomhole administration, opined that continuity was good for a state like Edo to sustain and improve more on its development profile.
He added that several investors had indicated much interest to invest in the solid mineral sector in the state.
“At the just concluded retreat for the new state executives in Lagos, several resource persons were invited to give a talk as well as investors who show interest in the area of solid minerals, oil and gas because the state is endowed with a lot of natural resources,” he said.

 

IDRIS UMAR MOMOH, BENIN