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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has promised to work with telecom and laptop dealers in the state to set up a modern market for their trade, including a proposed Edo Computer Village.
The governor made the commitment at Government House, Benin City, while receiving members of the Telecom and Laptop Dealers Union, Edo State, led by their Chairman, Akhile Ighalo Rodney.
He told the delegation he understood the sector well, having started out in business himself. He praised the union for seeking a structured relationship with government and urged members to stay focused as they build their enterprises.
“I am part of you because I started the way you are today. One thing is to have something doing; another thing is to be focused,” he said.
He recalled watching Computer Village in Lagos grow from a small association into a major hub for telecommunications and computer-related trade, and said Edo traders could achieve something similar.
On the union’s request for land, the governor said the state would consider a suitable site for the proposed market, saying that a purpose-built location would lower the rent traders pay, give them better security and make it easier to monitor commercial activity and identify criminal elements.
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“We should be able to do that so that you can pay less rent and be highly protected,” he said.
Okpebholo added that the state government was committed to creating a good environment for businesses to grow. He credited the stability of the naira under President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms for helping operators in the telecom and computer industry, which depends heavily on imported products. In his view, a steadier currency would ease foreign exchange pressure and help dealers plan better.
He then asked union members to support President Tinubu’s re-election, saying the continuation of the reforms would open more opportunities for businesses.
Earlier, Rodney asked the state government to establish modern telecom and laptop markets in all three senatorial districts. He said the union wanted allocated land in strategic locations, which members would develop and manage themselves, to cut the high cost of renting shops, improve security and give traders a better working environment.
The chairman also asked for the appointment of special advisers from the industry to improve engagement between government and operators, and for a lasting partnership framework to deal with the sector’s problems. He said the union was ready to help the state attract investment, create jobs and increase the sector’s contribution to Edo’s economy.
Also at the meeting were the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa; the Edo State APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Yakubu Musa, JP; and other government officials.
