AGENE GODWIN, Benin
Edo state Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has assured of his readiness to do everything humanly possible to guarantee security in the state by supporting the Nigerian police saying “it is the most important factor in attracting investment”.
Besides, Governor Obaseki said once investors feel that their property and lives will be safe and that they can attract and execute contracts without fear of insecurity, investors will have no choice but do business with Edo state.
Obaseki while playing host to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, (AIG) Zone 5 Abubakar Muhammad who was in Government House Wednesday to introduce himself said, “we spend 8 years to build the foundation of this state and now, we are consolidating. We need external investors in the state and we need security for safety of lives and properties.
“For us, security is number one and we will do everything to support the police because our survival depends on that. We will want to work with you very closely. However, I want to commend the existing cooperation of the police with government and I want to sue for its sustenance.
“I’m saying you couldn’t come at a more opportune time because as a government we are very clear on where we are going. We have spent the last eight years laying the foundations for economic and social take off. We have built infrastructure like roads and schools and now we need to consolidate on those developments for the future and to do it we are also aware that we have to rely on our own internal resources and to leverage those internal resources, we need to attract investors and investments.
“My other life was about working on investment and attracting investors and I know that a single most important factor in attracting investment into any area is security. It is not the money. That is why we are very excited that we have you”.
While admitting that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria vests the responsibility of internal security with the Nigeria Police, Governor Obaseki emphasized the imperative of concerted effort because the Nigeria Police cannot do it alone.
