TheCable

Caesar Iyayi, managing director of Caesar Engineering and Construction Limited, has appealed to Godwin Obaseki, governor of  Edo, to focus on creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the state

Iyayi, who is also the chairman of Iyayi Efianayi Foundation, made the appeal in his message of congratulations to the governor and Phillip Shuaibu, his deputy, on their victory in the September 19, 2020 governorship election.

“It is not sufficient anymore for anybody who is a governor or a sitting president to build a civic centre, renovate a school, build some roads, build some drainages and then you saying he is trying, that is not enough,” he said.

“We have to move to the next stage and I will suggest to you that if you want to build your name in posterity focus on helping the people of the state to overcome some of our challenges by identifying some of the things that we consume here and create enabling environment for local entrepreneurs to produce them.”

While describing Obaseki’s decision to establish a power plant as visionary and commendable, Iyayi said: “the power plant should be used to generate power that will be used to manufacture goods”.

“I would like to state two issues that could result to bias so that everybody will be in the know as to what my motives are. I am a contractor, but I want to put it loud and clear that I will not seek, and I will not accept any contract from Edo State government now or in the future,” he said.

“So, my intentions are not connected in any way with patronage. I am an Edo person; I am a Nigerian and I was visible. Although I stood within the corridors of my house. I watched every aspect of the election. Because I am not a politician, I did not vote, I do not have any card, I do not belong to any political party, I knew as a businessman, if I decided to vote for Ize-Iyamu and Obaseki wins, I will be in trouble, If I vote for Obaseki and Ize-Iyamu wins, I will also be in trouble. So, the best thing is to maintain a dignified neutrality which I did. So, I did not contribute a Kobo to anybody.

“But the election has been held and we have a winner, it is now our duty to congratulate the winner and to appeal for everybody to come together to build our state. Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu is my friend. I heard that he offered a message of congratulations to the governor, I do not know if that is true. I am also beginning to hear that he is considering or some of his party members are considering going to court to challenge the result. My brother, you are a pastor, you are a man of God, let Edo State have peace”.

He also urged Governor Obaseki to be magnanimous in victory and unify the state.