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Tag: Edo State government

  • Edo Govt. takes custody of two abandoned children 

    The Edo State Government has taken into custody two abandoned children, around the Faith Mediplex complex and the third junction axis of the state.

    The Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, which took custody of the children, promised to reconnect them with their families.

    The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Magdalene Ohenhen, who was at the Faith Mediplex in Benin City, Edo State, where a two-month-old baby was abandoned, said that the hospital had written to her after the child’s mother abandoned him.

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    According to her, “I came here after receiving a letter informing the Ministry that a baby was abandoned at the hospital by the mother.”

    She noted that the state government would ensure that the baby is fully taken care of.

    A Child Protection Officer with the Ministry, Ehis Agugu, noted that another boy was brought to the ministry by officers of the Nigeria Police attached to the family unit.

    He said the boy was reportedly found around 3rd Junction, close to Ekiosa Market, in Benin City, urging members of the public, who may have information on the parents or guardians of the child, to furnish same to the ministry.

    He noted that the state government is keen on protecting children, especially with the implementation of the Child Rights Act.

    According to him, “We have been at the forefront of protecting children so that they are well catered for. We will ensure that abandoned children get some succour either by reconnecting them with their parents or helping them get settled in safe, secure homes.”

  • Edo suspends forest exploitation

    The Edo State Government has suspended the exploitation of forest resources within and outside forest reserves in the state, as licences for tree logging in the state expired since June 30.

    In a statement, the Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Omoua Alonge Oni-Okpaku, noted, “Timber licensees, saw-millers and timber contractors are hereby informed that all permits to exploit forest produce within and outside forest reserves expired on June 30, 2018.”

    Read Also:Obaseki and challenges of development in Edo

    She explained that “In view of the above, all forms of forest exploitation and logging activities within the forest reserves and ‘free areas’ of the state are hereby suspended with immediate effect.”

    The suspension of the activities, according to her, is in line with “Section 41 (1) (2) and 44 (1) and (2) of the Forestry Law.”

    The commissioner said further development relating to the expiration of permits and suspension of forest exploitation would be communicated to the concerned stakeholders on a subsequent date.

    Recall that the state government shut down burrow pits in the state recently, citing threat to the integrity of the environment, danger of flash floods and the need to avoid health hazards.

    The government announced the shutdown on August 2, noting that the move became necessary in order not to predispose the state to environmental hazards.

    In a statement, the Ministry of Environment and Sustainability said, “for the information of the general public and in particular, the owners and operators of burrow pits, haulage operators, tipper drivers and other stakeholders, that all operations of burrow pits are shut down with effect from Thursday 2nd August 2018.”

    She added that the directive is to enable the state government “re-evaluate and re-certify the sites to ensure that they do not constitute hazards and environmental degradation,” and urged owners and operators of the pits to report to the Ministry of Environment and Sustainability for re-certification and subsequent inspection of their sites.

     

  • Sanitation Law Nullification: Edo complies, to challenge judgement

    …to rely on public health Law, Bye-Law for sanitation activity

     

    The Edo State Government has said it would respect and comply with the recent judgement delivered by the High Court of the state, which nullifies the Edo State Sanitation and Pollution Management Law No. 5, 2010.

    In a statement, Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., noted that “the government is aware of the Judgement in Suit No. B/460/2014 in the case of Johnson Oasogie Igbinedion and Another vs. Edo State House of Assembly and 6 Ors, recently delivered by the High Court of Edo State in which a declaration was made, nullifying the Edo State Sanitation and Pollution Management Law No. 5, 2010.”

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    Ogie disclosed that “the state government and its lawyers are currently studying the pronouncement and also making effort to obtain a certified true copy of same.”

    He maintained that “in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999), as amended, the Edo State Government intends to challenge the said decision at the appropriate Appellate level.”

    He assured that “in the interim, Government intends to respect and comply with the pronouncement of the court concerning the said law.”

    The SSG further said that to exercise its primary duty of ensuring an orderly and decent society and to prevent a catastrophic collapse of public health and sanitation system, “it is the intention of Edo State Government to continue to enforce all other unrepealed statutes and provisions relating to public health, nuisances and sanitation as currently provided for in the following laws: the Public Health Law; the Criminal Code; the Bye-laws of the different Local Government Councils in Edo State; and the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law relating to nuisances.”

    He urged all citizens to continue to be law abiding, particularly on matters which affect sanitation, cleanliness, health and decent living of the generality of the people.

  • Edo Innovation Hub maps sustainability path

    …Completes training for 724 entrepreneurs

     

    The Edo State Government-backed Edo Innovation Hub, a cluster for innovators and inventors in Benin City, has trained at least 724 entrepreneurs in less than three months of operation and has now drawn up a sustainability plan that will see the private sector drive activities at the cluster.

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, at the launch of the hub in June, noted that the government is priming youths to evolve and strengthen the technology ecosystem in the state. He added that the state is going to leverage on technology for job creation and enterprise development.

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    In a statement, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Job Creation and Skills Development, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, said that the facility houses the South-South Innovation Hub with two halls, five training rooms, six fully-furnished co-working spaces, four rooms with a total of 100 computers, offices, conference rooms, outdoor workspaces, among others.

    She said of the 724 entrepreneurs, “200 females are being trained by Microsoft and Tech4Dev; 32 persons participated in LinkedIn MeetUp sessions to build a vibrant business community and leverage networking for local and international businesses; 49 budding app developers participated in Curators University’s Artificial Intelligence boot camp; 23 developers were trained by Hotels.NG on coding and app development.

    “Other partners include Makers Academy, who trained 40 students on robotics; Pan Atlantic University University’s Enterprise Development Centre, trained 59 entrepreneurs on entrepreneurship and innovation; Siemens, Impact Hub conducted pre-hackathon orientation for 25 aspiring entrepreneurs in the power sector while Microsoft took 50 teachers on Basic Digital Literacy for Teachers.”

    She said that there is a sustainability plan in place to ensure that the private sector takes the lead in the growth of the state’s technology ecosystem, adding that trainings and business incubation would continue at the facility.

    She added that ATC Nigeria donated three fully equipped ICT centers in Benin, Irrua and Ekpoma, to deepen the penetration of tech-driven development across the state.

    Explaining that a good number of the firms at the hub have expressed interest for long-term partnership with the state government, she said that the state government is exploring the option of a trust fund to sustain the hub.

  • Edo berates BEDC over poor supply of electricity to residents

    …as 4th National Council on Power commences in Benin City

     

    The Edo State Government has frowned at the poor supply of electricity by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to residents of the state.

    Representative of Governor Godwin Obaseki and Commissioner for Energy and Water Resources, Hon. Yekini Idaiye, made the government’s position known while declaring open the 4th National Council on Power (NACOP) themed: “Increasing Access to Electricity through Improved Power Infrastructure,” held at the Government House, in Benin City, Edo State.

    He said the daily average supply of electricity put at eight hours, was less than 20 percent of the estimated consumer population of 1.2 million who have post and pre-paid meters.

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    The commissioner said that majority of the consumers are groaning under the estimated billing system with its attendant high corporate fraud on the part of BEDC, noting, “BEDC since inception has not added any value to the Infrastructure it inherited which explains the poor and deteriorated state of the power infrastructure in this part of the country.”

    He explained that the special technical committee constituted by Edo State Government to undertake a comprehensive audit of the power infrastructure in the state revealed the poor state of the infrastructure.

    According to Idiaye, BEDC personnel on the field are unprofessional in their conduct and openly engage the services of military personnel to intimidate and brutalise customers, noting, “This programme is coming at the right time as people in the state want improved access to power supply.

    “Nigerians want to have improved access to power supply and industries want to have electricity to scale up production.”

    The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSDC) Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu urged the federal government to make electricity more accessible to the people as it will enhance the growth of the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), create employment opportunities, and boost economy activities.”

    The Commandant who was represented by the Assistant Commandant General in charge of Protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure, Jonathan Iyogho, urged government to increase access to pre-paid meters as it will ensure payment for what is consumed and save energy due to controlled usage.

  • Tourism Reform: Edo lists more tourist sites for upgrade

    The Edo State government has pencilled down more tourist sites and destinations for revamp, following the positive disposition of private developers to invest in the sector.

    Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Mr. Osazee Osemwingie-Ero, disclosed this to journalists in Benin City, the state capital.

    According to the commissioner, “We have visited several of our prized tourist sites and destinations, some of them have long been abandoned, some need maintenance while some need revamp, which we intend to do through public private partnership (PPP).”

    Read Also:Obaseki condemns killings of policemen in Edo

    He added that his team has also “visited the Crocodile Lake in Lampese, the Somorika and Ososo Hills. About a year ago, we identified 56 of these sites and work is ongoing on some of them.

    “We have identified some of the monuments around Ring Road in Benin City, the state capital, which led to our meeting with the local government chairmen, in line with the directive of Governor Godwin Obaseki to reclaim and beautify them, which we are working on.”

    He further said that “at Egbine on Ekenhuan Road, we have identified and secured the grave site of the late Captain Philip, who was among the Europeans that were at the center of events that led to the 1897 Benin massacre by the British.

    “We have cleared the site, erected a big sign post there to identify the exact location. There is someone there who ensures the place is maintained daily.

    “Also close to the grave, down Gelegele, is the Oba Ovonramwen stop-over place before he was moved to Calabar through the Gelegele waterways. These places are sites where tourists can visit, and we are working round the clock to reposition them for domestic and foreign tourists,” he said.

    The commissioner added: “We have three investors who are ready with their proposals to develop the Sokponba Blue Water Resort. It will increase the economic activities in the area, create jobs, and generate revenue for the state government.

    “In Edo Central Senatorial Zone, we have the Udo Resort in Igueben, we have visited the site, there is a lot of work to be done there. We have the Amao Water Fall in Igueben, where the water from Orhionmwon River meet the clean water in Igueben without mixing.”

     

     

  • Edo inaugurates 3rd Children’s Parliament

    …as Richard Asen emerges Speaker

     

    The Edo State Government has inaugurated the 3rd Assembly of the state Children’s Parliament with a representative from each of the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.

    The inauguration was conducted by the state’s Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, and Office of the Wife of the Governor, at the Government House in Benin City, Edo State.

    Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, urged the parliamentarians to perfect the act of parliamentary engagement as legislature remains the bedrock of democracy.

    Read Also:Obaseki mulls Security Trust Fund for Edo

    Represented by Senior Special Assistant on Administration in the Office of the Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Chattie Anakhu, Mrs. Obaseki, noted, “As you carry out your assignment, bear in mind that you are one of the fortunate children in the state and let this fill your hearts with humility and inspire you to conduct yourself with dignity throughout your tenure.”

    She said the parliamentarians should learn from their predecessors, adding that a fully furnished office in her office had been provided to enable them carry out their legislative engagements.

    At the inauguration, Master Richard Asen, a 13-year-old Junior Secondary School 3 student from Spring Leaders Secondary School in Estako West Local Government Area was elected as Speaker of the Parliament, while Miss Nittabeatrice Otasowie,  a Senior Secondary School 2 student from Asoro Grammar School, in Oredo Local Government Area was elected Deputy Speaker of the Parliament.

    The highlight of the event was the presentation of the new members of the Children’s Parliament to members of the Edo State Executive Council led by Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    Speaker of the Parliament expressed appreciation to the governor for giving him and members of the Parliament the privilege to pilot the affairs of children in the state, noting that they would ensure that the rights of every Edo Child are protected.

  • Police nab official of fake recruitment agency in Edo

    The Edo State Government says the persons behind the fake recruitment agency that defrauded over 500 job seekers in Benin City, of millions of naira, for nonexistent jobs, have been arrested by the police.

    According to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie, an official of KAI Consulting, the fake recruitment agency has been arrested by the police.

    Read Also:Edo, security agencies to go after fake recruitment firm

    “The suspect, Benjamin Amachi Chukura, is a graduate of Public Administration, from Ambrose Alli University (AAU) Ekpoma.

    “He claimed that his organisation wrote a letter to Edo State Government in November 2017 seeking recognition and partnership with the state on environmental issues.

    “Chukura told security agents that KAI Environmental is a voluntary organisation operating in Delta State with about 60 workers,” Osagie said.

    The governor’s aide further said that Chukura is being interrogated by the police to explain the roles of his colleagues in the employment scam.

    The news of the employment scam broke few days ago that over 500 job seekers in Edo State were made to pay over N10 million for jobs, by KAI Consulting, which claimed that it was recruiting workers for the Edo State Ministry of Environment and Sustainability.

    But the Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability in the state, Omoua Alonge Oni-Okpaku, debunked the claim and said that all state government jobs are handled by EdoJobs, a government jobs portal.

    Media reports quoted Chukura as saying that KIA Consulting received 113 applications from applicants who paid them for training them in preparation for their recruitment into the government agency.

    He admitted that the Chief Executive officer of the agency collected about N180, 000.

    Some of the money collected from the unsuspecting job seekers include: N5,000 for Uniform; N2,000 for handout; N1,000 for Identity Card; N500 for examination fee; and another N2,000 for rank.

     

  • Firm reaps N10m from Edo job seekers

    …they are extorting Edo people

    Over 500 job seekers in Edo State have been reaped of over N10m from a consulting firm claiming to be recruiting environmental officials for the Edo State Government.

    The firm known as KAI Environment operates from Bins Hotel along Ekenwan Road in Oredo local government area.

    Investigations showed that prospective job seekers are made to part with N2000 for registration, N2000 for handouts during training and N15, 000 for uniforms.

    It was gathered that a first batch of 150 persons have already concluded training and waiting to be dispatch to their place of work.

    A visit to the Bins hotel Monday revealed that many persons were driving to the hotel to buy forms for their friends and relatives while others were seen undergoing interview session.

    In the poster advertising for available jobs, the firm said it is promoting healthy environment with the Edo State Government on environment matters.

    Our reporter who posed as a job seeker met with one Franklyn Nwachukwu who said he is a disciplinary officer of the firm.

    It was observed that new recruits pay salute to the Franklyn whenever they are passing by.

    Franklyn said his boss was recruiting youths with the permission of the state government through the Ministry of Environment and Sustainability.

    He said their target is to recruit 500 persons across the state and they would be made to write examination as well as undergo physical fitness.

    According to him, “We will be responsible for ensuring that people put dirt in Waste bins even when they are inside the vehicle. We will put waste basket in every parts of the state.

    “We have not posted people out. We are still collecting credentials. We are recruiting for the state government. Without the state government approval, we will not be here.

    “Officials of the Ministry of Environment were here to talk to the recruits even Road safety people were here. People are to pay for forms and uniform. They can go and buy their boot.”

    However, officials at the Ministry of Environment and Sustainability said the firm has not been given the nod to carry out at recruited exercise.

    The officials who pleaded anonymity said the firm’s proposal to Governor Godwin Obaseki was sent to them for further discussion.

    According to the source, “We are still talking but we were surprised to hear that they are recruiting people and collecting money. However good their intentions are, they should have waited.

    When contacted for comments, Edo State Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Omoua Alonge Oni-Okpaku, said the firm was carrying out illegal and criminal recruitment exercise.

    Oni-Okpaku said the firm has no approval from the state government to recruit on its behalf.

    In her words, “We heard they are selling forms and collecting forms from job seekers which is criminal and illegal.

    “They don’t have documents authorizing them to act on behalf of government. What they are doing is simply extortion.

    “We have people registered under Edo jobs where we can pull from whenever the need arises. It does not make sense for government to now give job recruitment to outsiders. We understand they are from Lagos State.”

  • Edo assures of speedy completion of Ugboha Water project

    The Edo State Government has assured the people of Ugboha in Esan South-East Local Government Area of the completion of reticulation work for the Esan North Water Project.

    The Commissioner for Energy and Water Resources, Hon. Yekini Idiaye, gave the assurance in Benin City, during a meeting between the state government and leaders of Ugboha community.

    Hon. Idiaye noted that the Governor Godwin Obaseki led-administration was determined to provide clean and safe water for people in the state, noting that steps are being taken to address the grievance of the people of Ugboha with regard to the reticulation of the water project in Ugboha, as deadline for completion has been set for December 2018.

    Read Also:Obaseki condemns Plateau Killings, commiserates with victims

    This, according to him, would enable the state government provide clean water to people living in Ugboha and its environs, noting, “After official transfer of its facilities to the Edo State government, the Esan Northern Water project is no longer a Federal Government project. The state government will handle all grievances of Ugboha people.”

    While responding to demand for change of name of the project by the community, the commissioner noted that the issue will be presented to the governor. He added that issues bothering on compensation will be discussed with the Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority, which will liaise with the Federal Government on the payment of compensation to farmers, whose crops were damaged in the course of the project.

    “The design of the road to the dam has been done and hopefully, the contract will be awarded soon for the construction work to begin,” he added.

    A member of the delegation and former Chairman, Esan South East, Hon. Andrew Ojiebhekele, expressed appreciation to the governor, who initiated the meeting, noting, “From the discussion we had today, we are hopeful that the needful will be done. We believe in the promise made and anticipate the outcome.”

    Ojiebhekele pledged that the people of Ugboha would contribute to the success of the Obaseki led-administration in the state.

    He appealed that the project be renamed to reflect the project site, noting that Ugboha is in Esan South East, while the project bears, Esan Northern Water project.

    The Chairman of Esan South East, Hon. Victor Emuakhagbon, expressed satisfaction over the deliberation at the meeting, assuring that the people of Ugboha would continue to support the vision of Governor Obaseki to transform the state.