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Tag: Dan Orbih

  • Edo partners EU on water projects in 46 communities – Commissioner

    The Edo State Government says it is partnering with the European Union (EU) to provide potable water to 46 rural communities across the state.

    The Commissioner for Water and Energy Resources, Mr Yekini Idaiye, stated this in an interview with our reporters on Wednesday in Benin.

    Idaiye, who was reacting to an allegation by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that government was playing politics with water projects in the state, denied the party’s allegation.

    State PDP Chairman; Chief Dan Orbih who addressed journalists in Benin had accused the state government of playing politics with water projects in the state.

    Orbih said there were no water projects in the state, adding that the state government was defrauding International Donor Agencies, claiming non existing water projects.

    But the Commissioner said that the party’s position on the water projects was not only false, but also misleading.

    Idaiye said contrary to the PDP’s allegation, the state government was conscious of its responsibility of providing basic amenities to the people.

    He said while some of the water projects were at various stages of completion, others were expected to commence in April, adding that the state government had prepared ground for their take-off.

    Commissioner listed some of the benefiting communities of such projects to include, Iguatakpa, Omorodion, Okoro II and Agbontaen in Ovia South West Local Government Area of the state.

    Others, Idaiye said, were; Omhemi, Egbogio, Auchi and Ibienafe in Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.

    “It is very disheartening to note the level at which PDP plays politics without getting the true situation of issues before criticising through public media.

    “During the PDP administration, it is very pertinent to note their inability and lack of ingenuity to turn Edo around, in terms of projects implementation and lack of foresight.
    “These were their challenges but the administration under the APC leadership has demonstrated its skilful knowledge, foresight, expertise and ingenuity in governance.

    ‘’This we are doing toward the provision of potable and affordable water for the people through partnership with EU to achieve it.

    “People in Auchi and environs will begin to enjoy potable water from Urban Water Works as a result of the ongoing rehabilitation and reticulation.

    ‘’Same goes for the people within Uromi and its environs who will soon begin to drink water from water works as reticulation and metering commence very soon.

    “While we appreciate criticism done in good faith, Orbih is hereby advised to always carryout investigation before raising false alarm in order not to mislead the people,” Idaiye said.

    NAN

  • APC hails police for quizzing Edo PDP chairman

    The Edo State chapter of the All Progressive Congress, APC, has hailed the state Commissioner of Police, Babatunde Kokumo, for quizzing the state Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, Chief Dan Orbih, over allegations that rice meant for Internally Displaced Persons was diverted.

    It said it would move for Chief Orbih to be prosecuted if found to be lying about the rice donated by the Nigeria Custom Service for IDPs in the state.

    State Chairman of APC,  Barr. Anselm Ojezua, it was laughable for the PDP to turn the quizzing of Chief Orbih to a Nollywood movie by storming the Police headquarters in large numbers.

    Barr. Ojezua stated that the questioning of Chief Orbih was a right step in the right direction since ‘Chief Orbih has been making serious allegations of destabilizing dimensions”.

    Ojezua said Governor Godwin Obaseki was right in asking the police to investigate and prosecute Orbih’s where necessary.

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    According to him, “Most of the allegations by Orbih are false and untrue. I am always of the opinion that the police have a duty to arrest a situation like that. You don’t wait for there to be a breakdown of law and order before making an arrest.

    “How can Dan Orbih come out to say Edo State Government made provisions for Iyamho university but didn’t make provisions for the AAU and Tayo Akpata University thereby giving the impression that the government does not care for some people. It was not true.

    “When a person provides information that is false, it is actionable particularly when it is meant to incite the public against government. The rice issues have to do with IDPs, vulnerable people. You can imagine Police invites Dan Orbih to substantiate his comments and the entire PDP showed up like a Hollywood movie. It is becoming a tradition for the PDP to turn serious issues into comedy. We are going to insist that police prosecute Dan Orbih.”

     

  • Police quiz Edo PDP chairman for accusing government of rice diversion

    Police quiz Edo PDP chairman for accusing government of rice diversion

    The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, ( PDP ) in Edo State, Chief Dan Orbih, is currently being quizzed at the state police command over comments that the state government diverted bags of rice meant for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.

    Orbih’s questioning was based on a petition sent by Governor Godwin Obaseki to the state Commissioner of Police, Babatunde Kokumo, on the need for the police to make the PDP chief present facts on the allegations.

    Orbih arrived the police command headquarters at 10:17a.m. in company of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and a large crowd of PDP supporters.

    Orbih and few party leaders headed for the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police.

    A huge crowd of PDP supporters besieged the entrance gate of the command as they were not allowed into the command’s premises.

    He had alleged that 4,721 bags of rice out of the 6,822 bags donated by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to IDPs at Ohogua village in Ovia North East local government area of the state were diverted.

    Other items the NCS donated to the IDPs were 76 cartons of vegetable oil, 100 sacks of used shoes and 20 pairs of used shoes.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • PDP to Buhari: Obaseki cannot give you 1.2m votes

    PDP to Buhari: Obaseki cannot give you 1.2m votes

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has told President Mohammed Buhari not to believe the promise by the state Governor, Godwin Obaseki, that the state would deliver 1.2 million votes to him in the 2019 general election.

    The party vowed that it would defeat the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the election by securing 65 per cent of the votes.

    The state Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, said the promise of 1.2million votes made by Obaseki was empty and unrealistic.

    He urged President Buhari not to be deceived by the governor’s promise.

    Orbih spoke while addressing PDP youths in Benin City at a conference tagged: “Youth and Leadership: Waking Up The Sleeping Giant.”

    He noted that in the last presidential election conducted under former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, the APC secured 45 percent of the votes while the PDP got 56 percent.

    He said: “I listened to governor Obaseki promising Buhari 1.2 million votes in Edo State in the next presidential election. Let me use this opportunity to say the statement by Godwin Obaseki is an empty promise.

    “Godwin Obaseki is a man with a very short memory. In the last presidential election where Buhari was the presidential candidate in Edo State, Edo PDP delivered 56 percent of the votes to Goodluck Jonathan while APC deliver only 45 percent to Buhari and this was under Adams Oshiomhole spending the state funds and they did not defeat us during the presidential election.

     

  • ‘Why we temporary stopped fertilizer production’

    ‘Why we temporary stopped fertilizer production’

    Management of the Edo Fertilizer Plant and Chemical Company Limited in Auchi, Estako West local government area, has explained why it temporary stopped production of fertilizer.

    It said its production plant stopped because its stores were filled with over 30,000 bags of fertilizers.

    The plant was commissioned in August last year by Vice President Yemi Osibanjo and being the only fertilizer blending plant in the region, it is expected to produce 60,000 metric tons of fertilizer for Edo and other neighboring states

    After 17 years of being moribund, the fertilizer plant was revitalized last year under the Presidential Initiative on Fertilizer (PIF) with a view to selling fertilizers to farmers in the country at N5,500 per bag.

    State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, Chief Dan Orbih, had last week challenged the state government to bags of fertilizers produced from the plant.

    However, the fertilizer plant management who took journalists on a fact finding visit tour of the plant said the plant was still operational.

    Factory manager of the plant, Mr. Iyere Okhun, who spoke on behalf of the management said it was wrong for people to say the plant has stopped working when produced products have not been sold.

    According to him, “For the few days, we were able to produce more than 30,000 bags that is about 51 trucks of a 600 bags truck. As at yesterday, we have loaded out six trucks.

    “We are expecting order for 11 trucks so that we can start production again. We stopped production because of space constraint. Our stores are filled.

    “Now that, we are getting orders for supply, we are getting the space back and the plant will start again. What is stopping us is not lack of raw materials but space for storage. We can do 60,000 metric tons per annum.

    “We are getting power 15 hours daily but we want them to give us more. As the farming season has started, we are receiving orders from farmers. We are set to load out 18 truckswithin two weeks. Our plant is running but we reduced the two shifts to one interchanging them because of space.”

    Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Agriculture, Prince Joe Okojie, said there are abundance of fertilizers for farmers in the state.

    His words, “I came to see what they have in stock. We are getting our farmers ready to go to the farms. They have been are producing and storing fertilizers. I came to make sure fertilizers are available for our farmers. You can see that there is abundance of fertilizers. They will be made available as we need them. There is no doubt about the plant’s working ability.”

  • Missing rice: Obaseki petitions police

    Missing rice: Obaseki petitions police

     

    Edo State Government has petitioned the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Babatunde Kokumo, over comments by State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, Chief Dan Orbih, that some bags of rice meant for Internally Displaced Persons were diverted.

    It said Chief Orbih in a radio interview ‘falsely and maliciously stated that the Edo State Government was involved in a criminal conspiracy to divert 4,721 bags of rice released by the Federal Government for distribution to IDPs in the state’.

    In the petition signed by Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Osarodion Ogie, the Edo Government stated that Chief Orbih further claimed that 300 bags of rice were diverted to a certain Senator in Ondo State.

    According to the petition, “It is instructive to note that in making these allegations to the general public, Chief Orbih claimed that he had facts and records to back up these criminal allegations.

    “The purpose of this complaints is to formally bring these weighty and unsubstantiated allegations to your attention and to request a thorough investigation with a view to establishing the veracity or otherwise of same.

    “It is the contention of the Edo State Government that Chief Dan Orbih should be called upon to provide evidence of the serious crimes he has alleged to have been committed by the Edo State Government and to furnish your Command with facts, details and proof of the allegations he has made in the public domain.”

  • PDP condemns Obaseki’s ban on night grazing

    PDP condemns Obaseki’s ban on night grazing

    The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP )in Edo State has described the ban in night grazing by Fulani herdsmen by Governor Godwin Obaseki as unimplementable and cosmetic.

    It said the pronouncement of the ban was begging the issue and showed clearly that Governor Obaseki was unserious to addressing the serious issue of Fulani herdsmen menace.

    A press statement signed by State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, said Governor Obaseki has effectively turned Edo State into a cattle colony during the day.

    Chief Orbih challenged Governor Obaseki to make his position on cattle colony adding that the main issue was not about night time grazing but about land for cattle colonies.

    According to the statement, “This government by this pronouncement has inadvertently given licence to the herdsmen to invade farms and feast on their produce as long as its done in the daytime.

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    “Farms and farmers are now exposed to the menace of the rampaging herdsmen and Governor Obaseki’s policy emboldens them. It is a clear demonstration of the Governor’s insensitivity to the plight of Edo people who are now living in fear and danger.

    “Why is Governor Obaseki having difficulty in stating his position on the proposed policy of the creation of cattle colonies in Nigeria?”

    Reacting, Special Adviser to Governor Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie, said the comments by Chief  was frivolous and cautioned him not to trivialise a sensitive subject matter that requires a great deal of expertise to comprehend.

    He said, “The ban on night-grazing and armed herdsmen are steps in the right direction in addition to the setting up of two committees that will monitor the activities of herdsmen in all parts of the state.”

    “We want to state as we did before that there is no agreement to establish cattle colonies in Edo State. Our decision was based on expert finding after a scientific research on the herdsmen/farmers clashes in the state. The Obaseki administration subjects every issue to critical thinking, wide consultation and research.

  • Edo LG polls: PDP may boycott polls

    Edo LG polls: PDP may boycott polls

    There are indications that the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) in Edo State might boycott the local elections in the state scheduled to hold on March 3rd.

    This is because the party is yet to begin sale of nomination forms to aspirants or fix a date for its party primaries.

    The PDP has also expressed its resolved to seek injunction from the court to stop the Edo State Electoral Independent Commission ( EDSIEC ) from further conduct of the polls.

    It called on members of EDSIEC headed by Prof. Stanley Orobator to disqualify themselves from conducting the polls.

    Speaking to newsmen after an enlarged meeting of the party in a Benin City, State Chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, said the party has resolved to critical issues of law regarding the proposed local government elections. 

    Chief Orbih urged its members seeking to contest the election either as a chairman of councillor to remain calm pending judicial proclamation on the party’s suit.

    Orbih said the party wants the court to determine whether the Edo State House of Asssembly can validly amend the Edo State Local Government Electoral Law to abridge the length of notice of polls stated in section 30(1) of the Electoral Act as amended having regard for paragraphs 11 and 12 of part II of the second schedule of the Nigeria Constitution.

    He said, “We also want the court to decide whether it is valid for the local government election to be conducted in Edo State without giving the PDP and other stakeholders the mandatory 90 days notice of polls stated in section 30(1) of the electoral act as amended.

    “Whether the amendment to the local government electoral act was done in violation of the mandatory of the rules of the Edo State House of Assembly on law making process in the House.

    “These issues are very critical. We have a responsibility to protect and save democracy. We must put to and end the impunity of the APC in Edo and at the federal level.”

    “We reject the composition of EDSIEC under the chairmanship of Prof. Stanley Orobator. They should disqualify themselves. Many of them are card carrying members of political parties. Our aspirants should remain calm while we are waiting for the decision of the judiciary.”

  • 500 women defect to PDP in Edo

    500 women defect to PDP in Edo

    About 500 women from the Social Democratic Party and the All Progressive Congress in Udaba community, Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party.

    The women said they were joining the party that would take Edo to a higher level.

    State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, who receive the defectors said a PDP government in Edo would prioritize women empowerment and welfare.

    Chief Orbih encouraged them to become apostles of change in the state by mobilizing support for the PDP.

    Orbih said the PDP would neutralize Governor Oshiomhole’s plan to replace himself with another stranger as the governor.

    He said Oshiomhole was a stranger in the state who would be leaving hardship and huge debt burden on the state.

    Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu said the Afemai people would not lose anything after Oshiomhole hands over in November.

    A former commissioner for Lands and Survey under Oshiomhole, Donald Boi Osikena, disclosed that he resigned because his responsibilities as commissioner were usurped by the governor.

    Osikena, who defected to the PDP last year, said, “My ministry was being run from the government house. Approvals for lands and certificate of occupancy were being issued from government house without informing me. I reasoned that I didn’t want to go to jail early in life, so I left.”

  • Oshiomhole denies chartering flight to U.S

    Oshiomhole denies chartering flight to U.S

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State on Monday denied allegations by the Peoples Democratic Party that he spent N18 million to charter a private jet to Miami, United States.

    Oshiomhole said the PDP Chairman in the state, Chief Dan Orbih, exhibited talent for lies and contempt for facts for making what he termed “ludicrous claim.”

    Orbih had at the weekend alleged that the state government spent over N400 million to attend Edo Convention in the U.S.

    Oshiomhole, who spoke through the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Louis Odion, said he travelled to the U.S in a commercial airline to honour Edo Community.

    Odion said, “Anyone who bothers to double-check would find that Comrade Oshiomhole is perhaps one of the few governors today who travel with the smallest entourage, if not totally alone, with a view to saving costs.

    “By his latest idiotic lie, we are left wondering what is Orbih’s motive. Whatever it is, one thing is clear. Orbih, a poor student of History, is obviously against building and cementing the bond of unity in Edo State.

    “Otherwise, Orbih’s sworn apostle of divide-and-rule politics, would not have dared this time to profane something as sacred as the coming together of all Edo people in United States with his leprous tongue when indeed proud and true Edo sons like Comrade Oshiomhole are toiling tirelessly, day and night, to unite the people.”