Edo Woos Global Investors, Intensifies Security To Tackle Kidnapping

Edo State government has intensified efforts to position the state as a safe and attractive destination for investors, with major security and infrastructure projects underway, the commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, has said.

Speaking yesterday during his monthly media briefing, Afegbua disclosed that a security camp in Edo Central is nearing completion, with accommodation for soldiers and police designed to curb kidnapping and related crimes in the axis.

“The governor is hurrying up this critical aspect of our security initiative to ensure that the notoriety of kidnapping in that area is decisively addressed,” he stated.

He further revealed that a 150-bed hospital is under construction in Edo Central, describing progress as being “in top gear.”

According to him, the government is also working closely with traditional rulers to strengthen grassroots intelligence. “We have committed certain responsibilities to our traditional rulers to monitor who comes into their domains, as part of efforts to shrink ungoverned spaces.”

The commissioner added that the Edo Security Corps, whose members receive allowances, are playing a vital role in intelligence gathering.

“They are supporting the police and other agencies with actionable information. We owe it as a duty to keep Edo people informed and to seek their cooperation in ensuring that our SHINE agenda remains on course,” he noted.

Highlighting economic opportunities, Afegbua said the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo is actively courting international investors, particularly in agriculture and industry.

“We are calling on the international community to come to Edo. We have vast land for rice production, thriving cassava and corn farming, and established players like Okomu and Presco, alongside emerging agro-investors,” he said.

He also disclosed that the state recently signed an agreement with a Chinese firm for a 10 million metric tonnes cement plant in the Owan axis. “By the middle of next year, the first steps toward that project will commence. When completed, it will generate employment for our teeming youth and help reduce insecurity,” Afegbua stated.

On the viral video involving Governor Monday Okpebholo’s hypeman , Emmanuel Akpan popularly referred to as “Egogo,” the commissioner said the government has distanced itself from the remarks.

“Let it be on record that Governor Okpebholo does not tolerate gangsterism, political hooliganism, or any attempt to intimidate the opposition. That statement is the voice of an individual and not the position of government,” he said.

Afegbua emphasized that the individual, identified as Emmanuel Akpan, also known as “Egogo,” who allegedly made comments to the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, remains subject to the law.

“We welcome robust opposition and collective engagement. If Edo is better, it is better for the good, the bad, and the ugly,” he added.