By Jimitota ONOYUME

PORT HARCOURT: Nigeria Institute of Welding, NIW  is set to close up the gap in the area of welding and fabrication in the country with its National Centre of Excellence for Welding and Engineering Institute in Obayanto, Edo State.

President, West Africa Welding Federation and NIW, Chief Solomon Edebiri, who spoke to SWEETCRUDE at the venue of the National Centre of Excellence for Welding and Engineering Institute said the institute would take off soon.

According to him, the institute would provide engineering support for the oil and gas sector and also provide services for the entire West Africa region.  “This place will conduct laboratory test for the oil and gas, also handle technical fabrications for industries.  It will serve the whole West Africa. It will also provide support services to engineering departments of tertiary institutions in West Africa”, he said.

Edebiri who is contesting the July 14 governorship election in Edo State on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP said his administration would focus on job creation and revival of moribund industries in the state.

Adding, he said the state would be broken into cluster areas with a view to developing the agricultural sector. According to him, government would fund farmers to grow crops common in their cluster areas into commercial quantity.

He assured that he would also provide free and qualitative education at the primary and secondary school level. While at the state owned Ambrose Ali University and other state owned tertiary institutions, affordable fees would be charged.

Edebiri who is a key player in the oil and gas sector of the country, said his administration would lay emphasis on the provision of quality medicare to the people. He said he would ensure presence of governance in communities all over the state.

He further assured that he would address the problem of multiple taxation, adding that a new tax regime that discourages double taxation will be introduced in the state.

“Taxation will be harmonised. The tax regime will have a human face, it will not create additional burden for the people. We will ensure there is no multiple taxation in any sector of our economy. You can never be taxed twice”, he said.