Rule of Law Core to Our Growth Strategy, Says Obaseki

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said his administration’s growth strategy designed to deliver institutional reform and economic revolution, rests squarely on the rule of law.

Obaseki stated this when he received the executive members of the National Industrial Court led by the President, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, who paid a courtesy visit to the Government House, Benin City, wednesday.

The governor told his guests that it was impossible to have real democracy or industrial/economic growth without the rule of law and hinted that apart from working to becoming an economic hub of the nation, his administration was committed to becoming a judicial hub also. “As part of our strategy to make this state a judicial hub, it is in our interest to have the full complement of the judiciary structure in Edo State,” Obaseki said, and explained that to attract investment and investors into the state, there must be peace and harmony.

“The rule of law is core to our strategy. We want to be a major economy in the country and we must do all within our power to attract investments and investors to the state, grow the economy and make it a major hub. We must make the state attractive both in financial and social terms, ensure the court system works and give a general sense that things work and are orderly in the state,” he said.

Earlier, the President of the court, Justice Adejumo, said the struggle to establish an industrial court in the state was nine years old and commended the Godwin Obaseki-led administration for seeing the wisdom in establishing the court in the state.

Adejumo said the court was in 28 states of the country and was ready to partner the state and requested for a building that would house the court in the state.

“As soon as the state government gives us a building for the court and residence, we will hit the ground running to make our presence felt in the state,” he said.
“Our aim is to ensure harmonious industrial relations between the government and the employees. If the work place is not peaceful, the governor will not be able to perform. What determines the success of a state is the harmonious and peaceful industrial relations with the employees,” he added.