Private firm to provide 15,000 jobs through farming in Edo

Festrust Conglomerate, a private firm, has indicated interest to establish a farm covering 100 hectares of land at Uzebba in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, which will provide about 15,000 employment opportunities for the people of the state.

Festus Asikhia, chairman/CEO of the company, gave the hint recently in Benin City when he led a delegation on a courtesy visit to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, saying in addition to the farm, the company would also embark on the building of a new Edo City.

He said the city would possess all the state-of-the-art modern facilities including recreational centre where people will come to rest and spend their leisure time.

According to him, “I have to go to my community where I can easily have access to land and I have acquired about 100 hectares of land for the take-off of the company. Apart from the farmland, we have come to Edo State to discuss with the governor to build a new Edo City, a city with all the infrastructure, with recreational centre, a city where people can come in to rest.”

He maintained that when completed, the new city will attract investors and thereby increasing state government revenue through taxes, but however implored the state government’s collaboration in order to succeed, noting that similar ventures had been established in Lagos and Abuja.

In his remark, Governor Oshiomhole assured the investor that the state government would provide a conducive environment as well as partner serious investors who wish to invest in the state, saying the state public private partnership (PPP) was doing everything possible to create an enabling environment for investors to take advantage to invest in the state.

“Potential partners in the various aspects of the economy are working out various MOUs with a view to take advantage of the very conducive business environment that exist in Edo State.

“So, like I said to Hon. Rasaq Bello-Osagie, all you need to do is submit a detailed business plan to our PPP Office as they are familiar with our rules and the general principles that guide our interactions. It is our responsibility to give back to the community and society where we come from, for these are the minimum debts owned our people.

“In Edo State, we have made substantial investment in both the urban and rural areas, investment on roads, urban renewal and drainage control, linking rural communities so that people can take advantage to go into mechanised farming and businesses in those communities as you plan to do.

“So, your coming fits well into our vision that the primary purpose of government is to make the rural urban areas neater, creating infrastructure to attract investment,” he said.

IDRIS UMAR MOMOH