The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Edo State

  • Why we suspended four LG chiefs – Oshiomhole

    Why we suspended four LG chiefs – Oshiomhole

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has given further explanations on what led to the suspension of four local government chairmen, saying their suspension had nothing to do with the political calculations leading to the 2016 gubernatorial elections in the state.

    Speaking Tuesday at the swearing-in of Prince Joe Okojie as a Commissioner in the state Executive Council and Mr. Busari Yesufu as Chairman, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state, Oshiomhole said: “today, we have ensured that with all the crisis in Nigeria, when many State Governments are unable to pay salaries, I am proud to say that in Edo we are paying. However, some of these local governments, for some reasons were not able to pay salaries as and when due and we have looked at some of their books, we have received some petitions, it is true that finances are low but even if your finances are low, you also need to cut your wastages.

    “We looked at the locally generated revenue, in many cases, these locally generated revenue are never reflected in the books of the local government. It’s just generated and paid directly to some of the local government chairmen. There have been several other abuses and I am proud to say that when the new local government chairmen were sworn in, I made sure all the revenue accruing to local governments before we conducted elections, were left in the treasury of the Local Government so the local governments could use them judiciously to develop their various localities.

    “I know for example in Akoko Edo, we had more than N560 million that they inherited because I directed the Heads of Service of the Local Governments not to spend the money of the Local Government. Some inherited N600 million, N400 million accruing from previous years and of course, all the debts which their predecessor incurred, we made sure that all of those were paid. That is how far we have gone, whereas, in some states, the Local Government money comes and the Governor just spends it, in Edo State, we don’t do that and we will never do that and if any future governor wants to do that, I will expect the local government chairmen to react.

    “Now if we give you so much free hand, and we help you to save so that you can use the resources to develop your area  and in the end you put us in bad news, you are not able to pay salaries and while you are not paying salaries, you are employing your relatives, you are employing all kinds of characters and you are diverting resources to projects that are of no benefits to the people and at the same time, employees of the local government who are working for you for 2, 3, 4, 6 months, you are not paying them and we have evidence that you are still involve in some elements of mismanagement, we can’t continue like that.

    “We needed to make a statement that all of us are accountable, that everyone is accountable and that was the reason we took those measures. Government will always be fair but we also have to be firm. We must ensure that Edo State must not join the club of states that over a period look back and they can’t see what difference they have made in the lives of their people.

    “We are setting up enquiries to investigate all of these allegations and depending on the finding of the panels, we will know what to do next and I want to assure our people that we respect the autonomy of our local governments, we recognise the rights of an elected official to manage the resources of his governments but we also have a duty to ensure that public funds are not diverted by local governments or by any one for purpose other than what is good for the people of their locality.”

    In their response, the newly sworn in Commissioner, Prince Joseph Okogie appreciated the Governor for believing in his abilities and bringing him on board to join in repositioning the state and assured him of his utmost commitment and contribution in ensuring that the task is accomplished.

    On his part, the newly sworn-in Etsako West Chairman thanked the Governor for the appointment and promised to do his best to bring development to the people and ensure funds are judiciously managed.

  • Octogenarian nabbed with 68 live cartridges 

    An 80-year old woman identified as Comfort Izedomwen has been arrested with 68 live cartridges in Edo State.

    Madam Comfort was nabbed at Ekae village in Ikpoba-Okha local government area after her accomplice, Stella Omobude, aged 48 was nabbed with another 32 live cartridges.

    Stella was nabbed during a raid on Evbueren village along Benin-Auchi road.

    Comfort said she started selling ammunition six months ago after an ailment struck her in the leg.

    Speaking to newsmen during a parade of suspected criminals by the Edo State Police Command, Comfort kept mute on the whereabouts of her children and husband.

    Comfort claimed she used to sell to hunters and private security operatives and that a cartridge is being sold for N250.

    Stella on her part said she was introduced into the business by Madam Comfort.

    Police Commissioner, Chris Ezike, said the suspects would soon be charged to court.

  • Two die in Benin-Auchi highway auto crash

    Two die in Benin-Auchi highway auto crash

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) on Tuesday confirmed the death of two persons in a multiple road crash on the Benin-Auchi highway.

    The Auchi FRSC Unit Commander, Mrs Archibong Nseobot, gave the confirmation during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Auchi, Edo.

    Mrs Nseobot said the deceased lost their lives in an accident involving an articulated vehicle, an Infinity jeep, two Toyota saloon cars and a motorcycle, at Aviele in the Etsako-West Local Government Area of Edo on Sept. 7.

    She said the accident was due to speed violation by the drivers and loss of control of the vehicles.

    Mrs Nseobot said that 10 passengers were involved in the accident.

    The Auchi FRSC unit commander, however, appealed to motorists to always obey traffic regulations during and after the ember months.

  • Council boss suspended over N13.7m fraud

    Council boss suspended over N13.7m fraud

    Chairman of Ovia South West Local Government, Morrison Ogunrobo, and Secretary, Oyomire Idahosa, have been suspended over alleged N13.7m fraud.

    They were accused of diverting the money paid to the council as revenue accrual for personal use.

    They were suspended by the legislative arm Thursday evening after the councilors passed a recommendation of a committee set up to investigate a petition against the council boss on financial misappropriation of the council’s revenue.

    Revenue consultant to the local council, Dan Owegie (Jnr) had in the petition to the councilors alleged that revenue accrued to the council was diverted to personal account.

    Dan was appointed to collect revenue at Jojo Rock pit at Evbonogbon and claimed that he was ordered to pay cash to the council’s secretary.

    The five-member committee headed by Hon Godwin Wuoluku recommended the suspension of the council boss and secretary and for the duo to refund the said money to the council coffers.

    One of the legislators, Victor Eguaveon, told our reporter that majority of the councilors supported the recommendation of the committee.

    Victor said the Morrison and Oyomire were suspended for a period of two months and that that Vice Chairman of the council, Mrs. Omosede Adenomo, has been asked to serve as acting chairman.

    “The Now suspended chairman and the secretary are to refund the money because when they appeared before the committee they said they do not have any counter evidence against the petitioners.”

  • Seven die in Edo road accident

    Seven die in Edo road accident

    Seven persons have been confirmed dead in a road accident when a Toyota Haice bus rammed into a packed Iveco trailer at Ute village along Benin-Lagos by-pass.

    The bus with registration number LAGOS EKY-733 XD was said to be conveying passengers from Lagos.

    Witnesses said it lost control and collided with the stationary truck with registration number SMK 799 XN at about 12:30 pm.

    Spokesman for Edo State Police Command, DSP Stephen Onwochei, who disclosed this to newsmen, said bodies of the victims have been deposited at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) mortuary.

    He said the casualties included four females and three males including the driver of the passenger bus.

  • IGP donates medical equipment to Edo IDPs

    IGP donates medical equipment to Edo IDPs

    Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, has donated medical supplies and three tanks for storing water to Internally Displaced Persons at a camp in Uhogua village, Ovia North East Local Government.

    Out of the 900 Boko Haram victims that were brought to camp, 142 of them were returned to their families two weeks ago.

    Arase assured the IDPs who are mostly children that adequate security would be provided for them.

    Represented by Force Medical Officer, AIG Grace Okudo, Arase promised the IDPs that they would not lack anything.

    The police boss said his men would be on ground to meet the needs of the Boko Haram victims especially as it relates to their general well-being.

    According to him; “We will do our best for you. We know many diseases can be caused by water so we brought these Geepee tanks.

    “You will not miss anything. Our team from Asaba and Benin will be visiting to know your needs particularly as regards your health issues.  We will be coming always to see what we can do.”

    Founder of the International Christian Mission, Pastor Solomon Folorunsho, thanked the police boss for his intervention.

  • Edo: Customs destroy 600 cartons of frozen poultry products

    Edo: Customs destroy 600 cartons of frozen poultry products

    The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operation Unit Zone C, on Saturday destroyed 600 cartons of smuggled frozen turkey and chicken in Benin, Edo.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes the NCS Comptroller of the zone, Mr Victor Dimka, saying in a statement that the items were seized on Friday, Aug. 14, 2015, along the Benin-Ekiadolor road in Edo.

    “The duty paid value (DPV) of the items are N5.76 million and the items were destroyed at customs house destruction site, in compliance with Federal Government policy on importation of frozen products (chicken and turkey).’’

  • Group seeks support for Osunbor’s governorship bid

    Group seeks support for Osunbor’s governorship bid

    Ahead of the 2016 governorship election in Edo state, a socio-Political group in the state, the Edo Visionary Network, Tuesday charged the leaders and people of Edo Central senatorial district to realize their dream of producing the next governor of the state after the expiration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole by backing the governorship ambition of Prof.Osarhiemen Osunbor.

    The group described Prof.Osunbor as a man with great vision and potentials and regretted that the internal politics of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which culminated to the Appeal Court ruling in 2008, led to his short stay in office.

    The former governor had earlier this year dumped the PDP for the APC.

    The group led by Comrade Innocent Ebhotemen, which had in November 2014, urged the former governor to declare his ambition to run for the 2016 governorship election under the All progressives Congress (APC), commended him for his recent declaration for the 2016 governorship election and urged all Esan sons and daughters to unite behind him.

    According to the statement, “the record of Prof.Osunbor as a two-time senator and a governor speaks volume of his capacity and excellent inclination.

    “At this maternal time in the history of the state we believe he possesses a credential no other aspirant would be able to match.

    “Senator Osunbor holds the promise of superlative continuity that Edo people desire after Governor Oshiomhole must have creditably discharged himself and retired from the stage. Osunbor holds the hope for the entire Edo people.

    “He also represents the hope of the entire indigenes of Edo Central senatorial district who legitimately yearn for their zone on the principle of equitable rotation of power to occupy the office of the governor of Edo state and have full tenure of service to the fatherland.

    “We want to especially plead with the leaders and members of the APC to which Osunbor now belongs to in the fullness of time to entrust Osunbor with the mandate to represent the party and subsequently to serve the state,” it stated.

     

  • NDLEA nabs 246 drug suspects in Edo

    NDLEA nabs 246 drug suspects in Edo

    Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it has arrested 246 suspected drug barons in the state between June 2014 and June 2015.

    It said 30 tonnes of different types of hard drugs were seized in different parts of the state.

    State Commander of NDLEA, Mr. Buba Wakawa, disclosed this at the 2015 International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

    Buba said a total of 116 millions of hectares of Cannabis Sativa farms were destroyed in the state.

    He said the command has convicted 20 drug suspects in the last one year.

    The Edo NDLEA boss stated that 126 drug dependent persons were counseled, rehabilitated and re-integrated into the society.

    He appealed to the State Drug Abuse Control Committee to partner with the NDLEA for the purpose of planning and implementation of eradication programmes.

  • Cash crunch: Edo Govt vows to complete ongoing projects

    Cash crunch: Edo Govt vows to complete ongoing projects

    The Edo state government has on Thursday assured that all ongoing projects embarked upon would be completed in spite of the cash crunch that has hit most states of the federation.

    This assurance was given by the state commissioner for Works, Mr Osarodion Ogie while inspecting road and flood control projects in Abudu, Oba Erediauwa and 2nd East Circular areas of the state.

    The commissioner said while some states were finding it difficult to pay salaries, Edo had continue to meet with workers salaries obligation as well as continued with projects execution across the state.

    He said this was made possible because the Adams Oshiomhole led government had from inception made conscious effort to cut down on recurrent expenditure to beef up its capital expenditure.

    Ogie said the tax drive and blockage of leakages in the state resources have also assisted the government to meet up with its financial obligation.

    He said as a responsible government, it would continue to ensure that that the people’s money was being spent responsibly until the last day of the government.

    According to him, “The people of the state know they have in place a responsible government and it is the covenant of this government that it would work until the last day.

    “As a responsible government we will ensure that no ongoing project embarked upon will be abandoned.

    “You will notice that we have continue that contractors have not left the site of all ongoing projects in spite of the cash crunch that have hit most states of the federation. Edo is not owing any workers while several states of the federation have been unable to pay salaries for months now.

    “We are not saying we are not being affected by the cash crunch because there are many projects the government would have love to execute. What we are saying that we have ensured that the ongoing ones does not suffer In spite of the financial challenges in the country.

    Speaking on the 10km Oba Erediauwa and 26 adjoining road projects in Upper Sakponba, Ogie said it was carefully initiated to address the menace of flood problem in the areas.

    “The Erediauwu road project comprises of 26 adjoining streets. Several of this streets have not witness any vehicular movement for about 20 years as a result of their states And many houses in the area have been swallowed due to challenges of flooding problem in the area.

    “The same goes to the Abudu township road and three adjoining streets that we are also working on. The abudu road project put together is 4.5km.

    “On the 2nd East Circular, the road which has totally failed have been left abandoned for over 30 years. It is a commercial road hence our decision to reconstruct the road from it original single lane to dual carriage road fitted with work -way and street light, ” he explained.