Okpebholo visits Chinese company, promises enabling environment for foreign investors

From Tony Osauzo, Benin

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has pledged his administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment to attract foreign investors to the state.

The governor made the commitment during a working tour of Rongtai Industry Park, located at Utesi Community in Benin City, the Edo State capital, on Monday night.

Accompanied by the Managing Director of the company, Huang Shibin, who took him around different sections of the company, Governor Okpebholo expressed satisfaction with the level of activities taking place at the company. He assured them of his administration’s support in providing an enabling environment for them to thrive.

“We have been going round for over an hour now, and I can say that this company has really done well in terms of development and contribution to our economy. They are giving employment to our people, and this is the most important thing to me.

“We will collaborate and partner with them. We will do business with them, bring them into our fold, and see how we can work together. We can achieve more for the good of Edo people. We will create an enabling environment for them. We will see to it that we encourage them because these people are contributing to our economy and providing employment to our people.”

While assuring the company of his administration’s support and partnership, Governor Okpebholo appealed to them to bring Nigerians into their management team to ensure a more integral partnership and better welfare for the local workers.

He stressed that as the host community, more partnership at the management level would help protect workers’ rights and increase employees’ loyalty.

“We are grateful to you for what you are doing here, and I assure you that we will partner with you in whatever way we can to ensure progress and expansion. I, however, would like to appeal that you bring some of our people into your management team, which is also key to progress and harmonious working relationships,” Governor Okpebholo appealed.

Earlier, the Managing Director of Rongtai Industrial Park, Huang Shibin, thanked the governor for the inspection tour and appealed to him for more government support and partnership. He disclosed that the company engages over 10,000 workers and is poised to do more if given the necessary support.