No State in the world has achieved prosperity and a decent socio-economic life for its citizens without the development of a robust industrial sector.

Over the years, Edo State leaders have not restated their determination to seize emerging opportunities to foster industrial development as an effective, socially responsible and sustainable means towards economic transformation.

There is plenty of ambition now in Edo to industrialize for good reasons. Manufacturing is probably one of the many proven development model so far that can help to bring jobs. 

But unless Edo State get down to the messy and laborious task of actively promoting manufacturing through targeted infrastructure, skills development, financial policy, making quality connections with agriculture and services in partnership with the private sector, and preparing for a more digital future, significant industrial capacity may never take hold in Edo state .

The window of opportunity is closing.  We must take advantage of it now.   In order to transform this hope of manufacturing for our future into meaningful policy, we should begin working on certain issues immediately.

We must Provide better support for our teachers and ensure that children have a safe learning environment. There is perhaps no greater source of hope than our children. Providing them with an education that will prepare them for college and tomorrow's manufacturing workforce is a commitment from which we cannot waver;  Simplify our tax code and remove hurdles to economic development, such as lack of access to the internet and to a highly skilled workforce.

We also need to consider increasing the minimum wage to make it easier for all workers to support themselves and their families; Develop a strategy to safeguard the long-term solvency of our public pension plans. Public employees are a vital thread in the fabric that blankets each of our communities. Educators, officers and other state workers are integral to a productive society and deserve a secure and reliable retirement system.

This is especially important in attracting new, younger employees to state government, rather than watching them leave Nigeria for better-paying jobs elsewhere; 

We should consider development of renewable energy resources, better marketing of our tourism and outdoor recreation industries and improving ways to nurture small business development; and further more we must do the following.

 1. Identify the opportunities to unlock growth. 

2. Find new ways of working and better coordinating interventions 

3. Identify where cities lack the necessary policy tools and lobby for change.

By Ihueghian Guobadia.

Edo Stste Governorship Aspirant