Obaseki’s Reform Saved Edo N60bn, Says Commissioner

Governor Godwin Obaseki’s digital reforms through the adoption of e-governance in the civil service have saved Edo State N60 billion, the commissioner for mines and energy, Hon Donatus Ojiefoh, has said.

He said the money would have been expended on office stationery procurement.

In an interview with newsmen yesterday in Benin City, Ojiefoh said the state government’s reforms in the electricity and solid mineral sectors had repositioned Edo as one of the most business-friendly in Nigeria.

He appealed to voters in the forthcoming September 21 governorship election to sustain the state government reforms and achievements and not vote for a candidate who lacks an understanding of investment and development.

The commissioner said that by harnessing the abundant mineral resources maximally, the state government has registered the Edo State Mining and Investment Company and has obtained 40 mining licenses, adding that government reforms have continued to yield positive results.

“If Obaseki were the governor before now, Edo State would have been one of the wealthiest states in the federation. Clearly, the next governor must be able to follow in Obaseki’s shoes, somebody who understands the state’s investment and development status.

“Edo State is ten years ahead of other states apart from Lagos.

Since the state was created, Edo has put over 20 million files into the e-governance structure and is the only state operating 100 percent e-governance. Thereby, the delay and bureaucracy in governance are over.

“Obaseki has saved over N60 billion for Edo State just on office stationery alone. Whatever paper you see in my office is an external paper or file. It takes a man with a potent brain that understands the saving system to achieve that, and we are the only state in Nigeria that has completely moved from analogue to digital,” he said.