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Tag: Edo state governor

  • Obaseki hails legacy of Ambrose Alli

    …Promises more devt at APC campaign rally in Ekpoma

     

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Wednesday paid glowing tributes to Late Prof. Ambrose Alli, whose legacy of governance, he said, is his driving force.

    Speaking to a mammoth crowd during an APC rally in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of the state, Obaseki said the council is bouncing back to its past glory as recorded during the era of former governor Ambrose Alli, with his people-oriented government.

    Read Also:Obaseki proffers strategic leadership to quell insurgency

    The governor said his leadership style borrows from the governance model of Late Prof. Ambrose Alli from Esan West, who prioritised development of the people during his tenure as governor.

    He described Alli as one of the best governors the state has ever had, noting that he has chosen him as mentor and is determined to surpass his achievements.

    “Alli did only one tenure and you can see the development in Esan West. I am assuring you that the APC-led government has one purpose which is to serve the people. I am not a governor that is out to make money but to work for my people.”

    He noted that Esan people need to align with the ruling APC so they could continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

    The governor assured the council members of more roads and water projects, adding that support for President Muhammadu Buhari and all APC candidates in the forthcoming general elections is the right decision to make.

    Chairman of the chapter of APC, Barrister Anselm Ojezua, who received defectors to the party, said the party was sure to win the elections, noting “For a long time, Esan West has not felt the impact of government but in the last two years, Governor Obaseki has brought good governance to this council. We must continue to support him by voting for APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.

    In his welcome address, the APC chairman in the council, Mr Onabwekhlen Ehikioya, commended the Governor Obaseki-led administration for bringing development to the council.

    “We are seeing the ongoing road construction work in the council, Esan West has been turned into a construction site and we promise to deliver the needed votes for APC to win the forthcoming elections.”

    Meanwhile, candidates of the APC in the elections, including John Inegbedion, running to represent Edo Central in the Senate; and Marcus Onobun, vying for Esan West seat in Edo State House of Assembly, all promised to bring development to Esanland when voted into office.

  • I created 77,000 jobs in 2 years- Obaseki

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki on Tuesday his administration has created over 77,000 direct and indirect jobs following comprehensive institutional reforms in the last two years.

    He added the target is to create 200,000 jobs as soon as possible.

    According to him, massive infrastructural development, transparency and accountability in governance coupled with the inauguration of series of investment and innovative projects have changed the narrative of the state as the preferred Investment destination in the country.

    Obaseki, who said he had a vision to turn Edo state to a knowledge- based economy within the shortest period, said his administration has completed construction of over 200 roads within the three senatorial zones in the past two years while 20 Primary Health Care Centres have also been inaugurated in the rural areas.

    The governor spoke at the National Defence College Abuja while delivering a lecture titled: Strategic leadership: My Political Experience to members of Course 27 of the NDC.

    He said besides his personal experiences , his professional background also played key roles in his approach to governance issues, stressing that strategic leadership should revolve around the ability of leaders to execute conceptualized plans in a religious manner.

    According to him, the valued systems adopted by leaders also played significant roles in driving governance towards sustainable growth and development.

    He recalled when he assumed office, he made it clear that people should not expect him to share government money to them while they paid him courtesy calls or solidarity visits.

    Governor Obaseki said he anchored his vision for the development of the state on six pillars of institutional reforms, social welfare, infrastructural development, environmental stability, inheritance and culture and economic revolution.

    He emphasised the need for transparency and accountability in government at all levels, stressing that it is also imperative that after institutional reforms have been conducted, the business of governance by institutions saddled with various responsibilities would be free from interference of the political leadership.

    Read Also; Obaseki streamlines policies, initiatives on open data

    The governor said he would like to be remembered for the imprints his administration would leave for future generation in educational development, stressing Edo state was able to overcome the challenges in the education sector by using technology.

    According to him over 7,000 teachers have been retrained while massive renovations and constructions have taken place in various schools across the state.

    The Commandant of the College Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo noted the institution as the highest strategic training institution for senior military officers had trained over 2000 participants since its inauguration in 1992.

  • Raw materials for Indomie, others to be sourced from Edo

    Far-reaching reforms in land administration, tax system coupled with a favourable investment climate and an endearing support structure being spearheaded by Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, have set the stage for the coming on board of Dufil Prima Foods to the oil palm scene in the state, as the company has acquired 17,954 hectares of land in the state to operate an oil palm plantation.

    The plantation, according to the management of Dufil Prima Foods, will serve as the company’s source of raw materials for its products which include Indomie Instant Noodles, Power Oil, among others.

    During a recent meeting with governor Obaseki, where the company finalised the take-off of the oil palm plantation project following the acquisition of the land, Chairman, Dufil Prima Foods, Haresh Aswani, said that the project was initiated to boost Nigeria’s economy while fulfilling the raw material requirement for the company’s backward integration programme.

    Aswani added that the project will provide raw materials for the production of Indomie Noodles, Power Oil (Vegetable Oil) and other products manufactured by the Dufil Group as well as create employment opportunities for Nigerians.

    Aswani explained that Nigeria has a great potential to increase production in the agro-allied sector through the application of improved processing methods and creation of incentives for manufacturers in the agro-allied industry sector to embark on backward integration by investing in palm plantation and sourcing their vegetable oil requirements locally.

    On his part, Governor Obaseki commended the company for indicating interest in establishing palm oil plantation and sourcing of other raw materials in  Edo State, noting that the state government is always ready for investment.

  • Obaseki takes campaign to Akoko-Edo, assures of robust security arrangement

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured residents of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of his administration’s plan to provide an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) and collaborate with security agencies to improve security of life and property in the area and boost commercial activities in Igarra Town.

    He gave the assurance while addressing a mammoth crowd at a rally in Igarra, administrative headquarters of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, as part of political campaigns for candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming general elections.

    He said his administration was doing everything necessary to provide jobs for youths in the area, adding that the state government with the support of the World Bank will provide a platform for youths to acquire skills that will enable them contribute to the state’s development.

    “On job creation, the World Bank has provided us with funds to train youths and make them skilful, which will enable them contribute to the development of the state,” he said.

    Obaseki promised residents of the area that more roads will be constructed in the year, noting that a vote for all APC candidates in the election will translate to more development for the people.

    “Ibilo, Okpe, Ososo, and other roads in the area have been captured in the 2019 Budget. A vote for the president will ensure the continuity of development in the state. We need you to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari to enable us have the resources to construct these roads across the council.”

    He added that arrangements have been made to get the Ojirami Dam functional. On electricity, Obaseki called on the residents to thank President Buhari for appointing a son of Akoko-Edo to head the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), adding that there would soon be an improvement in electricity supply in Igarra.

    Chairman, Edo State chapter of APC, Barr. Anslem Ojezua, who presented the party’s candidates in the forthcoming general elections, urged voters to come out and vote for the APC to ensure quality representation.

    The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Taiwo Akerele said Akoko-Edo is home for the APC, which has been proven by the large crowd, adding that the election would be about the choice between performance and non-performance as the APC would show its scorecard and records.

    Earlier, the governor led members of his entourage on a visit to the Palace of the Otaru of Igarra, Oba Emmanuel Adeche Saiki, where he thanked the traditional ruler and the people for their support.

  • Obaseki flags off 1.3km Jemide, Ibizugbe, Osamwonyi road construction

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has flagged off construction of 1.3 kilometres of road and 1,800 meters of drainage, spanning across three streets in Uzebu, Ogiekae Community, Ekehuan Road axis of Benin City metropolis.

    The three streets are Jemide Drive, Ibizugbe and Osamwonyi streets.

    During the flag-off ceremony, the governor who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Chief Taiwo Akerele, said the state government is working on the project, which is expected to be delivered within three months, in collaboration with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and State Employment and Expenditure for Result (SEEFOR).

    “The aim of this government is to deliver good projects that will touch lives of the people and these roads spanning across three streets in this community will impact meaningfully and improve the local economy,” he said.

    Obaseki assured the people of the community that his administration will monitor the contractor to ensure the job is completed according to specifications approved by NDDC, SEEFOR and the state government.

    He said, “We will constitute Community Oversight Committee (COC) which is a third-party monitoring group to be made up of members of the community. Also, we will engage Civil Society Group, Public Works group made up of young engineers who have been deployed across the state to monitor projects and ensure contractors work according to specification and deliver the project on schedule.”

    The contractor, Engr. Micheal Dottie, of Ewejobat Company, said:  “We will work according to specification and in line with the Bill of Engineering Measurement. The roads span across three streets in this community. We will do our best to ensure this project is completed in the next three months before the rains set in fully.”

    Dottie added that the carriageway is about 900 meters, stressing that the project will add value to the lives of the people residing in the area.

    An elder in the community, Mr. Matthew Osagie, said since he came into the community in 1972, the community has not felt government’s impact until the award and flag-off of the road project.

    He said, “I have continued to support various governments, and none has remembered my community like the Obaseki-led administration that has now put smiles on our faces. We pledge our loyalty and support to this administration to ensure it succeeds.”

  • Obaseki gives BEDC 7-day ultimatum to restore power to consumers

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has asked the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to restore power supply to consumers in the state or risk shutdown of its offices in the state.

    The governor gave the ultimatum as he concluded the ward-to-ward campaign in Egor Local Government Area, where he urged voters in the area to support candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 general elections.

    At Ward 9, the governor said N500 million has been set aside in the 2019 budget to construct an entertainment park and waterworks, urging residents in the ward to support APC candidates to represent them at the state and federal levels.

    He said: “We have awarded the contracts for the repair of the failed portions of Okhoro Road and the contractor who went on holiday has resumed work with the promise to start work next week.”

    The governor decried how the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) has continued to frustrate his efforts to ensure the people of the state get stable electricity to power their businesses, noting, “BEDC has continued to put us in darkness in the state and we will give them seven days to restore electricity or else we will shut their office down in the state.”

    He described Ward 10 as a special ward that has several federal and state institutions, and said that his administration has completed the design of Technical College Road and the contract awarded.

    “I have also asked the contractor to rehabilitate Adolor College Road and in two weeks’ time, contractors will commence work,” he assured.

    The governor noted that the rehabilitation work on Adolor College Road has become important because over N300 million has been spent so far in revamping the Government Science Technical College (GSTC) which will be reopened for academic activities in September 2019 with 1,500 students.

    “Due to the work we are doing at the College, the Minister of Power has promised to give us a direct line from Ihovbor Power Plant to help light up the state. Officials of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) are already in the state preparing the ground to bring power and to enable the people enjoy 24/7 electricity,” he added.

    At Ward 6, he assured the electorates that the contractor handling the Textile Mill Road project is set to return to site.

    “In the next few weeks, work will commence on the road; the contractor will come to site. I am here to tell you that this year’s election will be different. We want to do it unit-by-unit because votes are cast at the unit level.

    At Ward 8, Obaseki urged the youths to take advantage of their proximity to the GSTC, enrol for programmes in the school and learn technical skills, which will equip them to become self-reliant.

  • 2019 polls: Obaseki intensifies campaign for APC candidates

    Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki has taken the campaign for candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the doorsteps of electorates in the 12 wards in Oredo Local Government Area, with an assurance that a vote for the ruling party will guarantee effective representation of voters at both the state and national levels.

    Presenting the party’s candidates in the State Assembly, House of Representatives and the Senatorial elections, Obaseki appealed to the electorates to collectively vote for the APC so that they will continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

    He explained that in the last two years, his administration has focused all its attention on governance which has produced the achievements the Edo electorates are currently enjoying.

    Read also: Edo Poly Usen set for natural product research

    “In the last two years we have concentrated on governance, constructing roads, schools and primary health centres, empowering the youths of the state, and ensuring we provide security and basic amenities to make life easy for our people”.

    The governor noted that the elections will be won at the unit level and pledged to galvanise the party’s unit leaders to take the party’s achievements to every house and business place in each ward to ensure the party wins resoundingly.

    “Ward Six is the only ward in the Oredo Council without a primary school, my administration will ensure that this ward gets at least a primary school for now and an ultra-modern health centre to care for the health need of the people,” he assured.

    He urged the electorates to register for the APC’s social investment programme as the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government, through the Office of the Vice President, will empower traders in the state with trader-moni to boost their businesses, from next week.

    Speaking on his plans for the electorates if elected, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon, the APC’s candidate for the Edo South Senatorial District’s election, said he is in the race to change the narrative by focusing on projects that will impact positively on the people.

    The party’s candidate for the State House of Assembly election, Mr. Osaro Obazee, pledged to focus on sponsoring bills that would better the lives of Edo people and residents.

    The APC youth leader in the state, Mr. Valentine Asuen, commended governor Obaseki for his developmental strides and stressed that his performance would give the party an edge at the polls.

  • Emotan Gardens: Obaseki inspects progress of work on estate

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured the state government’s commitment to the development of Emotan Gardens project, noting that necessary support for its realisation will be given top priority.

    The governor said this during a tour of the estate, a 70-hectare, 1800-unit affordable housing project, being developed in Upper Sokponba axis of Benin City, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of the state.

    The project is being developed by the state government through the Edo Development and Property Agency (EDPA), in partnership with Mixta Nigeria, a real estate development company.

    The governor said that the project is on course as work is almost complete on the first phase, which comprises at least 100 housing units.

    He added that the state government will provide the necessary support for the realisation of the project, which include award of the reconstruction of the Benin-Abraka Road; approval for necessary land titles and other structures for the successful delivery of the project.

    The state governor was accompanied on the tour by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, and other government functionaries.

    The estate project, which started in the second half of 2018, has recorded rapid progress as subscribers in the country and Edo people in the Diaspora have thrown their weight behind it, snapping up units and mobilising their friends and relations to invest in the real estate project.

    The estate is the latest real estate development project of EDPA, which was restructured to become a private-sector facing agency of the state government. It is also the first estate project by the state government in the last 16 years.

  • Obaseki walks BEDC MD out of his office for throwing state into darkness

    There was mild drama at the office of the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Tuesday, as the governor walked the Managing Director (MD) of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Mrs. Funke Osibodu, out of his office for failing to meet  obligations to electricity consumers in Edo and throwing the state into darkness for weeks.

    This happened when the governor received members of the Federal House of Representatives Committee on Power led by Hon. Daniel Asuquo, who were in Government House, on a courtesy visit.

    The governor was surprised to see the BEDC boss, whose name  was not on the list of expected guests to Government House, but embedded herself in the National Assembly delegation,  to gain access to the governor, who has been in darkness alongside millions of Edo State residents, for weeks.

    Speaking to the delegation after Mrs. Osibodu had left the gathering, the governor said BEDC has continued to fail in collaborating with the state government to provide stable electricity in the state, instead the company has posed as an obstacle to meeting the goal.

    “BEDC has been an obstacle all the way. They will not provide electricity and will not allow you to get alternative sources of power. The state will not allow it,” the governor said.

    According to him, “As Governor of Edo State, we have lost confidence in BEDC. We don’t want them here. We are in darkness. Let us remain in darkness until we find people who are capable of delivering electricity.  This is our position.”

    The governor said despite the fact that the state generates about 600 to 700 megawatts of electricity, the people are still in darkness, wondering how he is expected to explain the irony to the people, who are well aware that they produce a substantial amount of electricity in the country.

    He noted that BEDC has failed to recognise that they have to be patriotic and responsible to the state and the country but instead they have been noncommittal  about  the issue of power distribution.

    “To assist, we set up electricity committee across the local government areas chaired by the Deputy Governor of the state, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, with BEDC as member to understand the challenge. But BEDC frustrated our resolve to finding a lasting solution to the issue of providing electricity to our people.”

    Earlier, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Power, Hon. Daniel Asuquo, said they were in the state for an oversight function on the activities of BEDC and other players in the electricity value chain.

    He said Edo State consumes half of daily power supply under the BEDC, noting that the state has the highest number of consumers on the network, which makes it critical to engage with the governor and people of the state on the level of service delivery by players in the value chain.

    “We are here to see how to intervene to ensure that you deliver on your electioneering promises to the people of Edo State as you are answerable to them,” Hon. Asuquo said.

  • FG lauds Obaseki’s education reform

    The federal government has commended the giant strides of the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, in the education sector, specifically the policy options that have created over 7,000 digital teachers across the state and the high school attendance rate in the state.

    Minister of Education, Alhaji Adamu Adamu, gave the commendation on Monday at the 2018 Alaghodaro Summit in Benin City, the Edo State, capital, an event organised to mark the second-year anniversary of the Obaseki-led administration.

    Adamu who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, restated the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration’s commitment to sustaining the funding of the basic education sub-sector through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

    He commended the giant strides of the Edo State Government and the appreciable impact made in the basic education sector in the last two years.

    Adamu said that of the about 10 million out-of-school children in the country, Edo State has one of the lowest of that number.

    “We should not forget the challenges facing the basic education sub-sector in Nigeria with over 10 million out-of-school children. Edo State has one of the lowest numbers of out-of-school children in Nigeria,” he said.

    The minister said the success made so far by the Obaseki-led administration is commendable and holds a great promise of moving the education sector to a greater height.

    He assured that the federal government  would continue to support Edo and other state governments in meeting their basic education obligations.

    Adamu called on state governments to access their counterpart funds through UBEC as the federal government has made huge amount of money available to develop the basic education sub-sector in all the states.

    The minister urged state governments to access and utilise the funds to transform the nation’s basic education sector.