Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, says the Benin Port Project, when fully operational, would generate over 30,000 jobs opportunities for youths.
He said the project will also improve economic activity in Edo State.
Obaseki, who announced this in Benin during a town hall and stakeholders’ meeting with the host communities, solicited for cooperation and support of all stakeholders in order to complete the project.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Strategy, Policy, Projects, and Performance Management, Sarah Esangbedo Ajose-Adeogun, Obaseki stated that his administration is developing a community content policy for the Benin Port Project.
He noted that all host communities would be carried along as the project progresses to enable them to directly benefit from it.
He, therefore, urged the communities to embrace communication and engagement in order to prevent the project from stalling.
“The Benin Port Project will create employment opportunities for the people of the State, especially for the host communities who will benefit directly from the project.
“The project will create over 30,000 employment opportunities. Already, scholarships have been awarded to people even before the groundbreaking of the project.
“Ten members of the host communities are already on scholarship abroad for professions in the maritime industry. More will benefit from the scholarship programme as each community will register members of their communities to enable them to benefit from the project”, he stated.
According to the Governor, the iconic port project will put the State on the global map and change the State’s economy, making it occupy a global stage in terms of logistics and global economy.
“We are building an agro-allied port, which will allow us to have access to Agro-allied products as the project is very key.
“This project will elevate our communities, reduce poverty, and develop the State and communities as Edo will become a global player in the maritime industry”, he added.

By: Chinedu Wosu