The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Commissioner for Communication and Orientation

  • MonkeyPox: Edo sets up Situation Room

    MonkeyPox: Edo sets up Situation Room

    • Releases emergency hotlines, to build 20 mini-stadia in 18 LGA

    As part of efforts to prevent the spread of Monkeypox disease to the state, the Edo State Government has released emergency hotlines to the public and established a situation room for monitoring the disease.

    The Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Rt. Hon. Paul Ohonbamu, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the outcome of the weekly Executive Council (EXCO) Meeting held at Government House, in Benin, on Wednesday.

    He also said that the EXCO received the design and approved the siting of 20 mini-stadia across the 18 LGAs of the state to serve as grooming ground for youth with sports talent.

    Assuring Edo residents on the proactive plans of government to guard against the spread of the disease to the state, Ohonbamu said government directed the State Ministry of Health to set up a fully-equipped situation room, where it can track and monitor the outbreak.

    He advised residents, who observe any seeming symptoms of the disease, to call Dr Osamwonyi Irowa, a Director in the State Ministry of Health on 08023345987 and Dr Osa Bruce on 08084096723.

    The commissioner said a massive public enlightenment campaign on preventive measures against the disease would be embarked upon across the 18 local government areas of the state.

    ‘’The State Ministry of Health has been asked to reactivate an old centre located at Ikpoba Slope area of the state, to serve as a dedicated situation room. This is so that the outbreak can be monitored. We are calling on citizens to be circumspect but calm and adhere to good health practices that will prevent contacting and spreading of the disease,” he said.

    The commissioner also disclosed that the executive council approved the siting of 20 mini stadia across the LGAs of the state, noting that the initiative was to facilitate rapid development of sport talents among youths in Edo State.

    According to him, ‘’The EXCO received the design and approved the siting of the stadia across the 18 LGAs of the state. These mini-sport complexes will have facilities for football and other track and field events. The decision underscores the premium, which the governor places on youth in the state,’’ he said.

    Ohonbamu added that, following the presentation of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Violation of Right of Way and Destruction of Public Asset, the Executive Council decided that enumeration of all individuals and businesses located in the affected areas would commence on ward-by-ward basis.

    Other actions to be taken, according to him, are that the state would interface with Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to ascertain the propriety of sale of power to operators under the high-tension transmission lines in the Etete area through a 33KVA transformer located the vicinity.

    The state asked for the verification of claims by some house owners in the affected area, who argued that, even though their houses were built before the erection of TCN transmission lines, they were not compensated.

    Ohonbamu said the state government is making arrangement for the relocation of businesses, artisans and craftsmen in the affected area.

  • Fraud: Edo sacks Perm Sec, suspends 3 others    

    Fraud: Edo sacks Perm Sec, suspends 3 others    

     

    …orders investigation into schools’ delisting, abused accounts

     

    The Edo State Government on Friday sacked a permanent secretary in the State Ministry of Youth and Special Duties, Dr. (Ms) Osayuware Idahosa and three other civil servants over  allegation of padding the budget for the conduct of primary school examination to the tune of N283 million.

     

    Dr. Idahosa, who served as Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Education at the time the alleged fraud was committed, was referred to the State Civil Service Commission for appropriate action, according to the rules and guidelines of the service.

     

    The decision was the outcome of an extraordinary session of the State Executive Committee meeting, headed by the Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaskei, in Government House, Benin City.

     

    The other officers involved in the alleged fraud are Barr. S. A. Erhunmwunse Edokpayi, Mrs. E.I. Ero-Ugiagbe and Mr. Lucky Adagbonyin. The EXCO resolved that they should proceed on indefinite suspension without pay and their case forwarded to the State Civil Service Commission for appropriate actions according to the rules and guidelines of the service.

     

    Recall that Governor Obaseki vowed to unmask the people that sent a N283 million request for the conduct of primary school examination in the state, which was eventually conducted at the cost of N30 million.

     

    Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Rt. Hon. Paul Ohonbamu said that the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe, submitted a report on the panel of enquiry on the conduct of the 2016/2017 Primary School Leaving Certificate Examination and after due consideration of findings and recommendations, the EXCO took the decisions.

     

    According to Ohonbamu: “EXCO also set up a committee to be chaired by the Honourable Commissioner for Employment and Wealth Creation, Hon. Emmanuel Usoh to investigate the delisting of about 350 private schools from the list of eligible schools to participate in the Primary School Leaving Certificate Examination and also the conditions that led to the relisting of these schools shortly after they were delisted.”

     

    Other members of the committee include the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Rt. Hon. Paul Ohonbamu and the Managing Director of Edo State ICT Agency, Mr. Lambert Ugorji.

     

    Ohonbamu further said that the EXCO meeting ordered that an audit exercise be carried out on the accounts that pertain to the examination exercise, which has now been marred by alleged corruption. This audit will cover 2014, 2015 and 2016.

  • Edo ratifies new Health Bill, GIS project, School relocation

    Edo ratifies new Health Bill, GIS project, School relocation

    The Edo State Executive Council on Wednesday approved the bill for the Edo State Health Law 2017, from the Ministry of Health, seeking to domesticate the National Health Act of 2014.

    The Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Mr. Paul Ohonbamu, who addressed journalists after the weekly meeting,  said that: The immediate benefits of the bill includes the remodeling and standardization of the health system in the state particularly, the primary healthcare sub-sector which covers 70% of the state’s  health challenges.”

    He explained that the proposed Edo State Health Law 2017, “will also reduce the burden on the tertiary and secondary health care systems and provide the legal authority for the state to establish the Edo State Primary Health Care Development Board and the proposed Edo State Contributory Health Commission, with shared responsibility for funding from the three tiers of Government, beneficiaries and partners to ensure Universal Health Coverage.”

    The EXCO headed by the Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, also approved the introduction of the Edo State Geographic Information Service (GIS) Agency, that will automate land administration and development control in the state.

    The agency will also undertake the aerial mapping of Edo State for the formation of a geographic information system and improve the ease of doing business in the state.

    “EXCO reiterated its earlier position that all structures under the high tension electricity transmission lines be removed.”

    Ohonbamu further said: “To show the seriousness of the matter, EXCO ordered the immediate relocation of a public school, Etete Primary School, which has been in that location for decades.”

    According to him, “The Chairman in Council is particular about the health and safety of pupils of the primary school and has ordered that they should not resume next academic session in that location.” He assured that the affected pupils, teachers and parents would be informed of their new location before resumption date for the next academic session.”

     

  • Edo govt bans use of schools, roads for social events

    The Edo State government has banned the use of the premises of public schools, roads and other public places for social events.

    The Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Mr Paul Ohonbamu made the announcement on Wednesday in Benin in a statement issued to newsmen.

    He warned that violation of the ban would be dealt with in accordance with extant laws.

    He said that henceforth, the government would not condone those who flout the ban.

    The commissioner directed government agencies to ensure the ban is complied with.

    “By our ancestry as Edo people, we have always shown the example of public order and decency which others have emulated over the years.

    “This administration is determined to make Edo a model of magnificence and beauty once again,“ Ohonbamu said.