Edo State Commissioner Mines and Energy, Donatus Ojiefoh, on Thursday, said that through Governor Godwin Obaseki’s e-governance digital reforms in the state civil service sector, the state had saved N60 billion, which would have been expended on procurement of stationery.
Ojiefoh, who spoke in an interview with newsmen in Benin City, also disclosed that the state government reforms in the electricity and the solid mineral sectors had repositioned the state as one of the most business-friendly states in Nigeria.
He noted that sustaining the state government reforms and achievements, voters in the forthcoming September 21, 2024 governorship election must not make the mistake of voting for a candidate that “lacks understanding in investment and development.”
According to him, harnessing maximally the abundant mineral resources in the state, the state government had registered the Edo State Mining and Investment Company and had also obtained 40 mining licenses, adding that government reforms put in place had continued to yield positive results.
“If Obaseki was the governor before now, Edo state would have been one of the richest states in the federation. It is crystal clear that the next governor that is coming must be able to follow in Obaseki’s shoes, somebody that understands the investment and development status of the state at the moment.
“Edo state is 10 years ahead of other states apart from Lagos. Edo has put over 20 million files into the e-governance structure since the state was created and is the only state operating 100 per cent e-governance thereby the delay and bureaucracy in governance is over.
“Obaseki has saved over N60 billion for Edo State just on office stationery alone. Whatever paper you see in my office are external papers or files. 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 reaffirmed.
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