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Tag: Edo

  • BudgIT ranks Edo high on ability to meet monthly recurrent expenditure

    …Edo leads in covering all expenditure without borrowing

     

    The frugal allocation of resources by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration in Edo State which has enabled the state to meet her monthly recurrent expenditure commitments has been applauded by independent researchers, BudgIT.

    The organisation’s favourable ranking validates investors’ rating of Edo State as an emerging investment haven with sound reforms in critical sectors such as land administration, company registration and the positive disposition of the government to investment, domestic and foreign. 

    In its “State of the States 2018 Report on the ability of States to Meet Monthly Recurrent Expenditure Obligations for January – June 2018,” BudgIT, a civic organisation, said: “Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Edo and Ondo are among the top ten states in our Index.”

    The organisation in its fiscal sustainability index analysis explained that “Index A looks at the ability of states to meet their recurrent expenditure obligation with state-owned revenue like value added tax, 13 per cent derivation and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). States like Rivers, Lagos, Delta, Bayelsa and Edo sit top of Index A.”

    On Index B which looks at the states’ ability to cover all recurrent expenditure without resorting to borrowing,  the organisation noted: “Interestingly about 16 states could cover the recurrent expenditure obligation without borrowing funds – a marked improvement over 2017.

    Read Also: BudgIT knocks NASS

    “In the first six months of 2017, only four states could effectively meet their recurrent expenditure without borrowing, selling assets or/and donor funds. States like Kano, Bayelsa, Edo, Rivers and Delta sit on top of the index.

    BudgIT added that “Edo State appears to have shown some initiative by trying to resuscitate its rubber and palm plantations in conjunction with the private sector, a move likely to increase earnings.”

    The plan is to “leverage on high-yielding varieties and long tradition of oil palm production to acquire about 100,000 hectares of land for the development of oil palm estates.”

    BudgIT advised that “the timelines in which this project will be achieved are crucial.

    It assured that “the Gelegele Seaport, which is to be transformed into a container port, holds great promise, if Edo aggressively revitalises her rubber industry – especially as the commodity trades at about $2,000 per ton.

    The organisation projected that “If Edo puts 400,000 hectares under rubber cultivation and invests in research to take yield above four tons per hectares, its rubber-based economy could top $3bn in the near term, on the back of efficient distribution through the seaport.”

    It further explained in the State of the States Report that “Despite increasing production capacity over the last seven years, Nigeria ranked 15 on the global production chart for rubber, as at 2016, with a capacity of 156,341 tons – a mere 1.19% of global output (at 13.15million tons).

    “This leaves a lot of market room, more so with the increasing application of rubber in the production of items such as stamp, shoes, mulch and roofing. Edo can therefore achieve increase output by putting the following measures in place: mechanised farming; standard storage facilities; stellar transportation systems; processing facilities and alternate point(s) of export/exit point from the country.

    “Formal trade agreements with any importing countries would also be a great advantage. Investment in rail infrastructure could also potentially open Edo’s economy to the Southwest and North-west corridor, ensuring smooth transfer of goods and services that in turn results in a larger transfer of funds into the public purse.”

  • Edo APC: 608,000 members to vote in direct primaries

    About 600,000 members of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State are expected to participate in the party’s primaries to elect candidates for the Senate in the three Senatorial districts in the state.

    In the presidential primaries held last Friday, 505,827 members of the Edo APC participated in the primaries.

    The leadership of the party has opted to use direct primaries in Edo after consensus arrangement failed.

    Aspirants contesting for the APC ticket in Edo South are Hon Patrick Obahiagbon and Erhabor Emokpae.

    Read Also: Eight aspirants withdraw from Kwara governorship primary

    In Edo Central, the contest is between Hon Patrick Ikhariale and Commissioner for Finance, Mr. John Inegbedion while Deputy Whip of the Senate, Senator Francis Alimekhena is to be returned unopposed after other aspirants stepped down.

    Secretary to the Igueben local government, Mr. John Inegbedion, said the party is ready for the primaries in the locality.

  • Fayose: Osun election was a ‘show of shame’

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has described the governorship election conducted in neighbouring Osun State as a “show of shame.”

    He accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of allegedly perfecting rigging plans with “compromised elections” in Edo, Ondo, Ekiti and now Osun.

    Fayose in a statement on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, said “democracy is dead in Nigeria” with the outcome of the supplementary governorship poll held in Osun on Thursday.

    Read Also:Ekiti PDP aspirants vandalize secretariat, reject alleged imposition by Fayose

    He accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of compromising with the APC and security forced to pervert the will of the Nigerian electorate.

    The Ekiti governor commended the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer in Osun governorship poll, Senator Ademola Adeleke for “having fought a good fight.”

    Hailing Adeleke, Fayose said: “You did not lose but your mandate has only been stolen”

    Fayose said: “With the show of shame that happened in last Saturday’s Osun state governorship election in general and the Thursday rerun in particular, there is no other conclusion to draw than that democracy is now dead in our beloved country.

    “With what happened in Osun state, democracy is actually dead in Nigeria and we are in critical times.

    “The Osun supplementary elections was just a repeat of what happened in Ekiti state on July 14th. And it is unfortunate that, again, the will of the people has been perverted.

    “It was obvious even to the blind that the Osun election, as was the case with Ekiti, was a contest between the PDP and the security agencies supervised by a compromised INEC.”

    Fayose added that the University professors also used as returning officers by INEC have, ab initio, been compromised and only serve the interest of those he described as their pay masters.

    He added: “Therefore, we want to believe that conscionable Nigerians and the survival of this country as a whole are at the mercy of God and of the judiciary. And if the judiciary fails to rise up to the occasion, Nigerians will be among men the most miserable”

    He condemned the violence that attended the election, sympathized with the families of those killed and enjoined PDP members to refrain from taking the law into their own hands.

  • Lawmaker begs FG to increase ecological fund to Edo

    The lawmaker representing Etsako federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Johnson Oghuma, has begged the Federal government to increase ecological funding to Edo State.

    Hon Oghuma said more Ecological funding would help tackle natural disaster ravaging parts of Edo State.

    Oghuma spoke to reporters after donating food items to flood victims at the Oghomere resettlement Centre in Estako Central local government.

    He urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to expedient action to provide support for people displaced by flood in the State.

    The lawmaker lamented that facilities at the resettlement centre were not in proper condition for habitation.

    According to him, “I am not satisfy with the condition of the victims. The facilities is not in proper shape. Whatever we are doing now is just temporary not until the River Niger is dredged so that the river can take more volume of water to reduce the pressure of water on communities around the river”.

    Oghuma said he has moved a motion on the floor of the house drawing attention of the Federal government to the gully erosion devastating part of his Constituency

    “Our people are suffering owing to the effect of this gully and that is why government should increase allocation for ecological fund for the control of erosion to save lives and property because as we speak alot of residential building have given way to gully”.

  • Robbers stab two to death in Edo

    Two persons have been stabbed to death by armed robbers who raided Amenze street and environs Off Costain Road, Benin City, Edo state.

    The robbers robbed over eight houses in the area and inflicted injuries on anybody that does not have money to give to them.

    Wife of one of their victims, Mrs. Erhun Ogiorio, said she begged the robbers not to kill her husband but the robbers refused.

    According to her, “When they came in, one of them held a gun and the other one a knife. I told them we don’t have money that my husband is a civil servant. I wanted to give them phones but they stabbed my husband in the stomach and the chest.

    Another victim who is currently receiving treatment said he was stabbed twice by the robbers.

    “When they came into my room, they asked me to lie down. The next thing I know was that I was stabbed. They stabbed me twice.”

    Read Also: Anambra Flooding: No cause for alarm, says NYSC

    A victim who pleaded anonymity said they collected N70,000 from him after beating him before they moved to other house.

    He said robbers used to terrorize them in the area.

    Edo Police spokesman, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, said it was a case of cult clash that was reported.

    He said the police was yet to arrest any suspect.

    “What we were told was that rival cult were fighting. Two persons stabbed. No arrest has been made.“

  • FG hails Obaseki’s basic education reform

    …as UBEC sites model school in Edo

     

    The Federal Government has commended Governor Godwin Obaseki’s basic education reform in Edo State, especially the deployment of tech-based teaching in classrooms under the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) programme, noting that reforms will lead to sustainable development in the state.

    Director, Physical Planning, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Engr. Sadiq Sa’ad, made the submission during a visit by officials of the commission to the proposed site of a multi-billion naira Model School project, at Esigie Demonstration Secondary School, in Abudu, Orhionmwon Local Government Area.

    He said the choice of Edo State for the project was informed by efforts made by the state governor to reposition the basic education sub-sector, adding that similar projects will be located in each of the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory. He noted that construction of the school projects will commence in October.

    Sa’ad expressed satisfaction with the proposed site for the project in the state, which meets the requirements for the project to be funded by UBEC.

    “The inspection visit is a follow-up to the meeting we had with Governor Obaseki in Abuja. We are here to see the land and we are satisfied with what we have seen. We are here with the team that designed the project and from all indications, there is no cause for alarm. The project will commence on the first week of October this year,’’ he added.

    He noted that the model school in Edo State will complement the effort of the Edo State government in repositioning the education sector, noting, “The multi-billion naira project includes four components: nursery, primary school1 – 6, Secondary JSS 1 – 3 and a school for the physically challenged.”

    Lead Consultant for UBEC, Prof Mas’ud Abdulkarim explained that the idea of the project is to upscale education at the basic level, stressing that the school will serve as a model for both the state and local government in the ongoing process to reposition the sector.

    Read Also: Obaseki deepens basic education reform

    Prof. Abdulkarim said UBEC is going to maintain a uniform standard for the curriculum and monitor the teachers’ performance, noting, ‘‘A state of the art digital technology will be deployed to the school to aid teaching and learning in these schools. There are going to be seven of these projects, six in each of the geopolitical zones and one in the FCT.”

    “The idea is to maintain a uniform standard for the curriculum to be adopted.  The teachers will be monitored by UBEC. Edo state was selected from the South-South geopolitical zone because of the state government efforts in this direction which falls within the purview of the federal government plans to reposition basic education system,’’ he said.

    The UBEC team also visited the Odionwere of Abudu Community, Pa Sunday Izeko, who expressed gratitude to the state and the Federal Government for the gesture.

  • Okowa loses aide to suspected gunmen

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Wednesday mourned the demise of his Special Adviser on Investments, Mr Sunday Ozege, who was killed on Tuesday by suspected gunmen along the Benin bypass in Edo.

    The governor’s condolence was issued and signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Charles Aniagwu in Asaba.

    Okowa commiserated with the Ozege family of Ogume in Ndokwa West Local Government Area, describing the deceased as a very hard working and easy-going man.

    The governor said that Ozege, who had served the state in various committees, was a strong pillar of support to his administration.

    Read Also:Buhari has done well in Delta State more than Jonathan – Emerhor

    “I was shocked to hear of the tragic death of Mr Sunday Ozege in the hands of suspected gunmen along the Benin bypass in Edo State.

    “He will be missed by thousands of people whom he had assisted in one way or the other.

    “His role in politics and the development of his community and state will remain an inspiration for other political actors.

    “My condolences to his family, members of the State Executive Council, close associates and the people of Ogume Community,” Okowa said.

  • NEMA’s impactful outings on disaster management

    These are indeed trying times. The floods are here again, and as usual, thousands are affected. Homes have been destroyed, farms have been washed away, and the list goes on. While it is succinct to state that just like in other climes where natural disasters such as hurricane, earthquakes, and floods have continued to wreak havoc, the responses of disaster management agencies come to bear in no small measure in cushioning effects and giving those affected a sense of belonging and a life afterward.

    And this brings us to the recent flooding experienced in some parts of Nigeria as a result of heavy rainfalls that causes rivers Niger and Benue to overflow. As at the last count, Niger Kogi, Anambra, and Delta states have been declared as National Disasters by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). It is also understood that Taraba Adamawa, Kebbi, Edo, Rivers, Benue, Bayelsa and Kwara states are being monitored carefully by NEMA.

    In this regard, I will start on a high note. The preparedness and responses by NEMA have been excellent in my opinion. I recall when the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency issued a warning that Rivers Benue and Niger had almost reached levels that resulted in flooding in 2012, NEMA issued a statement informing Nigerians on its preparedness for the flooding and it also consequently issued precautionary information to these communities.

    Now, this is why I decided to pen this article. Kogi state is among the worst hit states and as at the last time I checked, the director general of NEMA, Engr. Mustapha Maihaja has somewhat relocated to Kogi state. This was aside from the fact that he had held series of meetings with stakeholders to assess the reports from the fact-finding committees that visited flood-prone states after the warning by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency. I was more than impressed, and in my opinion, this was indeed a proactive approach and a radical departure from that norm that placed so much emphasis on reactionary activities.

    I stand to be corrected, NEMA in the past two years had indeed shown how and what it meant to have a disaster management agency in a country. This is in line with the adoption of the preventive disaster management operations introduced into the agency by the director general, Engr. Mustapha Maihaja. I also recall that sometime in 2017, while addressing the 2017 General Session of the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Cancun, Mexico, the DG was quoted as saying “support from the political leadership in Nigeria has enabled a giant stride towards ensuring appropriate actions on reducing risks, disaster preparedness, mitigation and recovery in the country. He also said the Federal Government has empowered and equipped NEMA to comprehensively manage disasters in Nigeria, with a fully functional Department of Disaster Risk Reduction already created in the agency.

    Now, this was why I wasn’t surprised and also impressed with the responses of NEMA in recent times in disaster management in Nigeria. Hear what the DG has to say: “President Muhammadu Buhari approved N3 billion for the first stages of preparedness, response disaster mitigation and it was on that note that stakeholders under the coordination of NEMA had activated a National Contingency Plan, a policy document, which gives NEMA the power to establish operational structure. An operational structure has been put in place with a National Emergency Operational Centre domiciled at the NEMA headquarters and five Zonal Emergency Operational Centres (EOC).”

    I am left in awe whenever I hear the DG of NEMA speak on issues concerning disaster management. His grasp and understanding thrill me, so much so that I have told all that cared to listen that one of the best decision of President Muhammdu Buhari was to have appointed a highly detailed and competent individual to head NEMA. And why they would always ask me.

    The reason is simple. Which category of people is mostly affected by disasters? The answer is obvious, and that is mainly why I am in praise of President Muhammdu Buhari because he has demonstrated that this is a government that is concerned about the ordinary Nigerians unlike in times past where our inefficiency in disaster management results in loss of lives and wanton destruction of properties.

    Back to the crux of the issue, NEMA’s outings in disaster management in the past two years can best be described as impactful. It is instructive to state that DG has visited almost all parts of the country that has in one way or the other experienced any form of disaster, be it human-made or natural for on the spot assessment and also leading rescue and relief operations. For example, the DG of NEMA was on the ground during rescue operations when a building collapsed in Abuja recently. He was also in Benue during the September 2017 flood that affected scores of villages in the state. And the list goes on.

    Read Also: NEMA warns of impending flooding in 12 states

    In my opinion, what this signifies or indicates is that there is a government that cares and holds that critical constituency so dearly and the need for them to feel the impact of his administration. This is even aside from the efforts of NEMA in assisting the Nigeria military in the resettlement of thousands of Nigerians that were displaced as a result of the insurgency in North East Nigeria. It also suffices to state that under this arrangement, thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have successfully returned to their communities. This is also commendable.

    The list can go on without end. But what is instructive and a takeaway from the activities of NEMA is that once there is a will, there would always be a way. This much the DG of NEMA has demonstrated with the support he has received from the political authorities. And if most political office holders exhibit this much patriotism, Nigeria would indeed be better for it.

    Adamu is a public affairs analyst and contributed this piece from Abuja

  • Flood: Affected Edo residents refuse to leave communities

    -lawmaker moves into resettlement camp

    -four die for lack of medical care

     

    Residents of over 14 communities affected by flooding in Edo State have refused to move into the resettlement shelter built by the Federal Government in 2012 and five other centers provided by the local government officials.

    They claimed they could not leave their ancestral land to a place where they would rely on government assistance to feed.

    Communities affected include Udaba, Ofukpo, Agbaburu, Osomegbe, ukpeko, Ugochi, Ifeku island, and Anegbette.

    Over 12,000 residents were affected and the people opted to live in tree houses and devised means to survive on the water.

    At Udaba community, many of the residents were seen making attempts to salvage whatever they could from their farms.

    Schools and health centres in the communities have since closed up.

    The residents had harsh words for the lawmakers representing at the National Assembly, Hon Johnson Oghuma and Senator Francis Alimekhena, for not visiting them since their woes started on September 6th.

    The said the lawmakers were voted for to show care at the point of need and raise concerns about their plight to the federal government.

    Mr. Johnson Agadaga who was harvesting cassava told reporters that he would not leave his farm and community because of flood.

    He said he and his family would survive.

    Agadaga said they used to drink the flood water when it is necessary.

    Another affected resident, Mr Thompson Omonika, said they would not leave their ancestral land because of flood.

    He said they fore fathers lived through the flood and did not die and such they would not die.

    The lawmaker representing Estako Central in the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Damian Lawani, was seen moving into the federal government resettlement camp.

    Lawani who hails from Udaba said his movement into the camp was to make the people leave the flooded community to avoid outbreak of water borne diseases.

    He disclosed that four persons died within the week because of lack of medical personnel in the community.

    His words, “The people have a lot of attachment to their ancestral home. My home is flooded as I am talking to you that is why I am moving to the camp to encourage others to leave”

    Chairman of Estako Central, Mr. John Akhigbe, who visited the communities with the aid of a speed boat called on the federal government to send relief material to the people.

    Akhigbe stated that some of the affected communities promised to leave on Sunday after harvesting their corps.

    “No doctors can work in those communities now but we will have health care facilities at the camp pending when the water recedes.

    “It is difficult to ask them to leave. We have prepared the six facilities we have to move the people to the place.”

    A former lawmaker, Hon Abubakar Momoh, urged the federal government to live up to its duty and send relief materials to the affected communities.

    Momoh who is Edo North aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, said the federal government responded to the people’s need in 2012 when the flood occurred last.

    His words, “The federal government has to be up and doing. We want action for our people. When the flood occurred in 2012, we raised motions in the House and the federal government responded.“

  • Flood: Benin residents call on Govt. to construct drains

    Residents of the flood ravaged Technical College Road in Benin metropolis have appealed to Edo Government to construct drains in the city centre as lasting solution to recurring flood.

    Some of the residents, in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Benin, said the recurring flood was giving the people nightmares during rainy seasons.

    They said the menace had compounded the environmental degradation of the city centre due to lack of drainage system.

    According to them, the Technical College Road is one of the longest streets within the city centre and always flooded.

    “Lack of proper drainage system constitutes an environmental and health hazard to residents.”

    A trader, Chioma Okocha, who operates a shop on the street, said the area had been in a terrible state for many years.

    Chioma said during the rainy seasons, residents were always constructing wooden bridges to enable them to move from one location to the other.

    She called on the state government to urgently construct drains to address the problem.

    Osauyi Omoye, a resident, attributed the upsurge in flooding to non-compliance to town planning regulations by residents.

    According to her, developers are fond of erecting structures along the waterways while residents are engaging in indiscriminate dumping of wastes on streams, drains and waterways.

    She called on the state government to channel the waterways to a river or a canal as part of the initiatives to protect the environment.