Edo Production Centre Opens For Business Today

Located inside the Edo Magistrate Court’s complex on Sapele Road, Benin city is wearing a new look. It was renovated not to be used as a printing press but to be the first production and processing centre for artisans, micro, small and medium enterprises as envisioned by Governor Godwin Obaseki.

The Edo Production Centre being commissioned by the Edo State Governor, Gov. Godwin Obaseki would be a multipurpose, one-stop-shop for small businesses. share support infrastructure such as 24 hours electricity, security and low-cost financing to help boost economic growth in the state. The centre is being built in partnership with the Market Development for the Niger Delta (MADE) II programme, Benson Idahosa University (BIU) and the Des Moines Area Community College in Iowa, the United States of America.

The 24-hour electricity supply will be provided from the Ossiomo power plant following the power purchase agreement with the Edo State government.

The Commissioner for Physical Plan-ning and Urban  Development, Edorodion Oye Erimona, earlier at a stakeholders meeting with MSME operators in the state assured interested business owners that the centre would be a one-stop-shop for MSMEs to enjoy economies of scale and low cost of production.

Those that have indicated interested in the centre, according to Erimona, are furniture makers, cobblers, welders, bakers, polythene makers and a number of other interested small business owners.

According to him, “This centre will accommodate MSMEs while the Benin Industrial Park will host big industries. The electricity for the center will be drawn from the Ossiomo Power Purchase Arrangement. Pollution in the environment will be minimal as the businesses will be MSMEs.”