Forex Crisis: We Must Export Else Things Will Not Get Better, Says Obaseki

•Says he will not be distracted, but continue to work for Edo’s progress

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that Nigeria must recalibrate the economy to export semi-finished and finished products else Nigeria’s parlous foreign exchange regime will not get better.

The governor was speaking when he played host to leaders of Edo South Senatorial District of the State, in Government House, Benin City.

The floating of the naira by the federal government had resulted in a sharp exchange rate depreciation, with $1 exchanging for as high as N945.

A statement quoted the governor to have said: “We can’t wait for the dollars. We can’t wait for everything to be imported. We need to export our own, as things will not get better soon. If we continue to work for the people in Edo, we will make the life and the future of the people better.”

The governor noted that the state government was working assiduously to improve the state’s economy and build the necessary mechanism to support exports.

He said: “In two years under the Edo State Oil Palm Programme (ESSOP), we have allocated over 70,000 hectares of land for fresh oil palm plantations. Various investors are now cultivating nurseries in the State. We are developing businesses in Edo State and creating an institution to train our people to work for those businesses.”

The governor further stated that the state’s government is building a solid base to promote exports and drive productivity, creating jobs and building wealth for the benefit of Edo people.

Meanwhile, Obaseki, has commended leaders from seven Local Government Areas of Edo State, for supporting his administration in the last seven years.

Obaseki said this while addressing leaders from Edo South Senatorial District during a solidarity visit to the Governor in Government House, Benin City, the state capital.

 According to him: “I appreciate you all from Edo South Senatorial District for being a source of support all these years, from the very first time I contested to be governor in 2016. There was massive support in 2020 and till date, you are still supporting me. I thank you for the encouragement.

“We have come a long way. We can point to many achievements we have made in the State. Most times, when we rate development work, we are quick to point to physical structures. Thank God we have enough physical structures to point to as an administration, like schools, hospitals, roads and more.

“When we came in 2016, what we take for granted today – which is law and order – was not what we have today. Street trading was rampant. Non-state actors were in charge of our revenue. These activities didn’t attract investment into our State.

“We have transformed our educational system through Edo State Basic Education Sector Transformation (EdoBEST), which is now a global programme and our administration is getting commendation around the globe. We have a lot of achievements to point to in the State.

“The drop-off ratio of students between primary six and S.S.1 was over 50 per cent. That was what we met. We met many of them in the street but the system we have created took care of this, ensuring that even those that can’t further their education will have the skills to take care of themselves in the future. This is our greatest legacy.”

The governor added that his administration has improved the state’s healthcare system with the Edo Health Insurance Scheme, which many citizens are now benefiting from.

He noted that his administration has created a platform in the entertainment industry for youths in the State to become productive, noting that through the Sound Stage at the Sir Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, over 50 Nollywood movies have been produced.