Contractors handling the construction of the Benin Technology Hub and the preliminary work at the site of the 1,800 housing-unit, Emotan Estate, are working round the clock to deliver the projects on schedule, preparatory to the visit of Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo to Edo State.
The vice president’s June 14 visit will see him commission the first Benin Innovation Hub, which will host over 25 information and communication technology (ICT) companies, for training of young and old Edo people and residents on various ICT-based skills.
During an unscheduled visit to the remodelling work at the Institute of Continuing Education (ICE), in Benin, which is being converted to the tech hub, Governor Godwin Obaseki said he was pleased with the pace of work at the site.
“The facility will be commissioned by the vice president and over 25 companies will use this innovation hub for different forms of training and certification,” the governor said. He disclosed that his administration has received requests from major global technology companies interested in the innovation hub.
Osinbajo will also perform the ground-breaking ceremony to kick-off the construction of 1,800 housing-unit Emotan Estate, a joint venture of the state government and MIXTA Africa, located in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area.
The project, according to Obaseki, was conceived to boost the state’s housing stock. He said on completion, the houses will be affordable.
Also on the itinerary of the vice president is a facility visit to the 450 megawatts Edo-Azura Power project, which has received positive reviews by the World Bank and its development partners as well as international and local actors in the power sector.
The Social Investment Programme (SIP) of the Federal Government will receive a boost during Osinbajo’s visit as the vice president would hold a town hall meeting with beneficiaries.
He is also expected to host the South South tech community, where five start-ups will be picked after they would have pitched their ideas to a team of investors.
He will also meet with the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) community in the state, as part of federal government’s efforts at deepening the sector to boost economic growth
