By Faridat Salifu
The Edo State Government is exploring partnerships with the State of the African Diaspora to develop the Gele Gele Seaport and railway infrastructure as part of efforts to strengthen agriculture, trade and economic activity in the state.
The proposed projects were among areas discussed when Governor Monday Okpebholo received the Prime Minister of the State of the African Diaspora, Dr Louis-Georges Tin, and his delegation at the Government House in Benin City.
The strategic development partnership and implementation framework agreement also covers agriculture and other projects considered capable of boosting economic growth and improving livelihoods across Edo State.
Tin said his delegation had visited various project sites in the state and identified the proposed seaport, railway development and agriculture as areas where the State of the African Diaspora could contribute investment and technical support.
He specifically highlighted the proposed railway linking Gele to northern Nigeria, noting that the infrastructure was among the projects under consideration by the partnership.
The development of the seaport and rail network could strengthen the movement of agricultural commodities and other goods, potentially improving connections between producers, markets and export channels.
For the agricultural sector, improved transport and logistics infrastructure could help address some of the challenges associated with moving produce from production areas to domestic and international markets.
Tin said teams from the Edo State Government and the State of the African Diaspora had been constituted to work on the identified projects and develop the framework for implementation.
He added that the Diaspora side had commenced the process of formally nominating its representatives to the joint teams, while several priority projects had already been identified and forwarded to the Attorney-General for legal review.
Governor Okpebholo said Edo was committed to creating an environment capable of attracting investment from Africans in the Diaspora and encouraging them to contribute to development in their ancestral homeland.
He also stressed the importance of Diaspora investment, pointing to the significant financial resources sent home by Africans living abroad.
The governor said his administration had strengthened the Edo State Diaspora Agency to improve engagement with citizens and people of African descent living outside the country.
Tin said the proposed collaboration went beyond conventional investment, describing it as an opportunity for members of the African Diaspora to reconnect with the continent while contributing to development.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Roland Otaru, said the proposed agreement was still subject to legal review, with areas requiring clarification and possible amendments being examined to safeguard the interests of Edo State.
The partnership is expected to provide a framework for mobilising Diaspora investment into the seaport, railway, agriculture and other projects identified as priorities for Edo’s economic development.
