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  • ‘Edo ‘ll continue to make progress under APC’

    ‘Edo ‘ll continue to make progress under APC’

    In Benin, the capital of Edo State, the sights and sounds of the environment are clearly in favour of Godwin Obaseki.

    At every strategic place are the billboards of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, to the extent that people are wondering if he is the only in the race. But, that puzzle is solved by the realisation that a level playing field exists in the state and no party is denied the right of having billboards.

    Investigations revealed that many are disposed to the candidacy of Obaseki, who is widely believed to be a better alternative to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate.

    ‘’My brother, we will vote for APC in this town because we can’t afford to go back to the years of the PDP. The PDP wasted our time under Lucky.  Pastor is wasting his time. Are you not seeing how good the roads are? This one alone is enough for us to vote for Obaseki,’’ a taxi driver, who identified himself as Imafidon Samuel, said.

    His thinking is in tune with what so many others said in Benin to the amazement of the visiting team, who never envisaged that level of Obaseki’s popularity.

    Some people believe that the image of Governor Adams Oshiohole is largely working for him. While that may be true, Obaseki did not come across as someone, who would walk in anyone’s shadow.

    If he succeeds the incumbent, it may not be a bad thing if he takes the latter’s footsteps, given that in eight years, Oshiomhole made Edo model of good governance.  In a state where the delivery of social services was believed never to have been prioritised by those, who governed before Oshiomhole, taking after him may not be a bad idea at all.

    But, the man at the centre of the election, made it clear that he would optismise the template created by the incumbent in realising his vision for the state.

    Obaseki spoke with reporters on how Edo can make progress under him with every sense of clarity.

    His connection with the issues driving the race, were indicative of his capabilities at accomplishing the great gubernatorial Task ahead.

    In line with his tripartite agenda of progress, sound management and good governance, he said he was committed to creating prosperity for every Edo indigene and resident.

    To achieve this, he aims at rebuilding the civil service into a world-class work environment powered by information and communication Technology, ICT.

    Also, resources will be devoted to training and empowering public and civil servants with modern management tools.

    Obaseki also intends to rework the incentive schemes currently applicable in the public services to encourage better outputs.

    He said: ‘’We will streamline and reposition government institutions to more effectively and efficiently deliver the greater good in overall public interest. We will Use technology make government more efficient by deploying information and communication technology (ICT) in internal administration, procurement processing, revenue collection and improving collaboration between and among Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

    ‘’Our determination is to ensure that not only are salaries paid as at when due but we adjust our model from a minimum wage structure to a living wage structure where Civil Servants are not financially disadvantaged.”

    “Prosperity for Edo State must also necessarily include a better future for our children and happy retirement for our pensioners. We will clear all outstanding pension owed and ensure that Civil Servants receive their full entitlement immediately after they retire.

    ‘’ We will restore Edo State as the number one state in sports in Nigeria, especially in football where we once held sway as a talent ground.

    “Our government will develop schemes to encourage artistic output and to encourage the growth of a market for trade in art and craft in Edo State with channels for export and exchange with the wider world.

    ‘’We will develop a sustainable tourism industry in Edo State where the socio-cultural fabric of our host communities will make optimal use of our environmental resources, maintaining essential ecological balances and conserving natural heritage and biodiversity.’’

  • Students protest in Edo

    •Seek shift in poll for exam

    Secondary school students have called for a shift in date of the governorship election in Edo State to another date as it will clash with their Mathematics examination also scheduled by the West African Examination Council for the same day.

    The students who stormed the Government House, Benin City with placards with various inscriptions, said holding the examination and the poll on the same day would disenfranchise them.

    The students also said they would kick against any plan to be moved to other states for the examination as planned by WAEC, adding that this would  disorganise them and also put them at a disadvantage.

    The spokesman for the students, Iko Emmanuel Moses, said: “Our position about the General Certificate Examination (GCE) in Edo State, the scheduled governorship election on the 10th of September, with a deep sense of regret and pains, we wish to express and oppose the disturbing circumstances surrounding the above examination of this year and its effect on our expected performance in the examination.

    “The plan to relocate us out of Edo State, our state to other regions to sit for the examination because of the September 10 election in Edo State as scheduled by INEC is an ill wind which will affect our chance to perform well in the examination. We have found this situation very disturbing, discouraging and we cannot take the risk.”

    He added: “Remember this that the conduciveness of an environment has a great impact on the performance and outcome of examinations for students. We enrolled for this examination in Edo State and we have prepared for the examination in Edo State environment. We are used to the environment for safety, comfort, accessibility of examination centres and psychology.

    “You will agree with me that a threat to the above is a threat to us, and even the outcome of the examination. We want to humbly say that as the election is important to the nation, so is our exam important to us, and even more important to us because, without a good education, we cannot grow up to participate in the Nigerian democracy.”

    Moses said: “This examination is about our future, and therefore, we will not take or accept the risk. We call on INEC to do something about this situation. We call on all the political parties concerned to do something to save our future. The examination has already started in Edo State and it will be dangerous to now move us out of the terrain we are already used to and compel us to write the most important ones outside the state.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari should come to our aid. The Comrade Governor should also come to our aid. Our future must not be sacrificed for election.”

    Another candidate, Aliu Samson said: “Saturday will be the day I will be writing mathematics, I am more than 18 years old and I’m a Nigerian. It is my basic duty to exercise on Saturday by voting. Due to the security situation in the country, it will not be ideal for me to travel outside my terrain to write my examination.

    “I am therefore calling on the relevant authorities to come to our aid so we can write our examination in this state. So it is either the election is postponed or they do something about our examination.”

    One of the parents, who joined the students in the protest, said: “What I want you to know, your Excellency, is that there’s going to be a strong financial commitment to the parents, taking the children to other states will involve accommodation, feeding and it will bite deep into our already lean purse. So I want to appeal to you that this should be reconsidered. We are quite aware that WAEC is a regional examination and so it cannot be shifted, we are also thinking of how the election itself is shifted so that we will have time for our children and also for them to vote.”

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole said he would pass their protest letter to the President, saying the election was fixed by the INEC, which is an independent body.

    Oshiomhole said the responsibility for fixing the governorship election in the State rests on the Independent National Electoral Commission, explaining that he was not consulted when the election for September 10 was scheduled.

    He said: ‘There are two examinations that are due, one for the people of Edo to write exams on whom they want to be their governor, and you yourselves to write exams which will constitute the foundation of your future. But, let me first tell you the whole truth because when I listened to you and you were appealing to me, I am touched. But I get the impression that you probably think that I am responsible for this decision. I am not.”

     

     

    Let me tell you the truth about it. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a few months back, I think it is about two months now or three months, they announced that they will conduct the governorship election in Edo State on the 10th of September. That decision was taken by INEC. By law, INEC has the power to make those decisions. The law doesn’t oblige them to consult with me or to seek my approval. So, I have no input in the decision of INEC to fix September 10 for the election. And in fairness to the other political parties, I don’t believe that they too had any input. I also know that the PDP for example or the Labour Party or the APGA, none of them had any input in the decision of INEC to fix 10th. That power is solely the power of INEC.”

    He continued, “When they fixed that date, all we were expected to do as political parties is to work and prepare our candidate to be ready for the election. We have been talking of September 10 because that is the date INEC decided we should have it, and it is within their power to do so.

    “Two weeks ago, I received a letter from WAEC informing me as the Governor of Edo State that they will be conducting WAEC examinations on the 10th of September, and they wanted us to grant exemption to those who are going to write the exams to be able to go to the various centres to write because the standard law, rule, and regulation is the that on election day, you are only allowed to go to your polling booth, and unfortunately, some of the polling centres where you are expected to write exams, they are also the same centres that are meant for voting. Some of the schools are premises for voting. Even if it was within my power, I don’t see how you can be in a room writing exams, and outside you have thousands of people making noise trying to vote.”

    According to Oshiomhole, “The request by WAEC to me, first, it was beyond my power because the decision to restrict movement is taken by INEC, and they did it in good faith. So, I replied to WAEC that I don’t have the power to waive the restriction order because that one is imposed by INEC in consultation with the national security chiefs because it is the security chiefs, that is, the army, the police and the SSS.

    “Between them, they meet and agree that on election day movement is restricted. I think you know that is the standard. It is not only for this election.  In every election, it has been like that. They will not allow people to travel into or out of Edo that day from a certain hour of the day untill the end of the election.”

    He said, “I fully understand your complaints. I understand your concerns, and one of you made the point.   Even for you to participate as good citizens in our democracy in the future, you must be educated. If we say the youths are the leaders of tomorrow, for you to claim leadership role, your upward mobility must not be compromised. I fully understand.

    “So, I fully understand, but unfortunately, I am not in a position to say, yes I have agreed, yes I don’t agree because the matters are beyond me. They are beyond Edo State Government, but I understand fully.”

    The Governor assured them, “What is not beyond me is to convey this letter that you have addressed to our president, President Muhammadu Buhari. I promise you, as fast as I can, I will forward it even if it is by email to ensure that it gets to the President to the Villa today. That I can do. And I know that the President is concerned about the future of our children.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Obaseki ‘best at Edo poll debate’

    Obaseki ‘best at Edo poll debate’

    All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Godwin Obaseki came tops after last night’s debate by candidates in Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State.

    Three other candidates —Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Osaro Onaiwu (APGA) and Amos Areleogbe (LP)— fielded questions from a team of Channels Television interviewers.

    Some of those who watched the 90-minute debate rated Obaseki ahead in the way he spoke on the economy; how he would tackle the problem of insecurity in the state; plans to diversify and significantly boost the economy; and steps to tackle unemployment and create 200,000 jobs in four years.

    Twenty-one old Joy Iredia, a student of the University of Benin, said: “Until now, I did not take much interest in politics. But listening to all the candidates speak, I was drawn in by the candidate of the APC, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and how kept his focus on the issues and articulated his plans to take Edo State forward, particularly the use of technology as a tool for effective governance and job creation.”

    A civil servant Mr. Osahon Bello, said, “The civil service forms the major workforce in Edo State. I align with Obaseki’s plan to restructure the civil service for efficiency and productive through robust training strategies to meet the challenges of fostering strong, sustainable and balanced economic growth.”

    Obaseki, a renowned investment banker and wealth management expert of over 30 years, said the economic challenges confronting the nation today are so complex that it takes someone with a full grasp of all the issues, and practical experience in solving complex economic problems to lead the state on the path to prosperity.

    Referring to the ‘simple agenda’ of PDP’s Ize-Iyamu, Obaseki said: “Simple solutions cannot solve our complex political problems; they cannot solve our complex economic problems; and can definitely not solve our complex security problems. It is mental indolence to think there are simple solutions to our problems.”

    He assured of better days ahead for Edo people, promising that his will be a people-oriented and inclusive government.

  • Again, history beckons in Edo

    Voters in Edo State will this Saturday head to the poll for the election of the person to succeed incumbent Governor Adams Oshiomhole, whose second term and final tenure of office expires on November 11. As should be expected, partisan sentiments in the state are by now cresting their peak. We can only hope that the political elite have as well upgraded in their refinement of conduct as to allow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) sufficient room for smooth and conclusive conduct of the governorship poll come September 10.

    A decent elite culture is as crucial a success factor in the imminent election as the performance of INEC, granted though that the stakes have never been this high in any previous governorship poll in the state. Among the parties contesting in the poll, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which currently holds power at the Federal level, will be hard pressed to at the minimum fence off its sphere of control – even more so in Edo because the national chairman of the party is a native, actually, one-time governor of the old state. Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for its part, will be seeking to turn the tables on the ruling APC in what, if such occurred, would be the ultimate statement of rejection of the status quo by the voting public. The opposition party, as it were, is booby-trapped with internal contradictions arising from an unrelenting factional attrition, but that is another issue altogether. For purposes of the imminent poll, the competing quests by the parties are perfectly legitimate. Only that the political elite should wage those quests with a great deal of civility and decorous comportment, and guide their voter-followers along similar paths.

    Why do I make this point? I do so in view of the experience of the electoral commission with the last Edo governorship election held on July 14, 2012. That election was hurdled by a number of challenges, not the least of which was unhealthy partisan brinksmanship by leading political actors. I happened to be a part of INEC at the time and knew first hand how the intemperance of politicians hazarded the poll. To begin with, aggressive partisan bickering and mutual suspicion among the political elite hamstrung the electoral commission from conducting Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) as it had intended to update the voter register ahead of that poll. Politicians accused one another of an intention to exploit the CVR in importing fictitious name into the register and agreed, at least for once, that the commission should step it down. But the most dramatic hazard to the election was an intemperate reaction by then re-election seeking Governor Oshiomhole to unforeseen logistical challenges experienced by the electoral commission, which nearly pre-empted successful conclusion of the poll.

    For emergent reasons that INEC had no cause to anticipate in its preparations, electoral materials were delivered on time in areas of the state further away from the capital on Election Day, but were delayed in Oredo local government area and environs within the capital. True, that scenario must seem inexplicable to anyone not familiar with the commission’s logistics architecture. The very fact of the logistics architecture, however, and the challenges that popped up at the last minute made that scenario perfectly explicable, and INEC’s leadership at the time under the chairmanship of Professor Attahiru Jega was frantic at work to remedy the situation. Only that partisan tension was simply too high and politicians never gave the electoral commission benefit of the doubt. And so, the Governor, justifiably agitated perhaps, went on national television in undue haste to shoot down the yet ongoing election as fraudulent and unacceptable, and he didn’t spare relevant INEC principals savage remarks. Eventually though, he won the election and was left to savour his victory swigs from a chalice that he had himself poisoned. Supporters, of course, spinned the narrative that his outburst rattled INEC and compelled the commission to backtrack on its fraudulent plot; but, trust me, that was far from the truth.

    Now, for the impending governorship poll, political leaders will do well to rein in excessive partisan tension and foster a climate of mutual tolerance. It is such a climate that would promote peaceful and decorous conduct by their supporters, and as well discourage incidents of violence and over-voting, which warrant cancellation of votes by INEC and largely account for inconclusiveness of elections. There has been much ado in recent times about inconclusiveness of elections. But I happen to know that the electoral commission, by its processes in themselves, cannot work at making an election inconclusive even if, for whatever reason, it so desired. Rather, it is factors arising on Election Day at the behest of the political elite (for instance, violence and over-voting) that compel the commission to apply extant rules, which could then make an election end up inconclusive. INEC must by all means discharge the onus of running a smooth electoral operation. It is trite though, as they say, that successful conduct of elections is not the responsibility of the commission alone but also that of all stakeholders – most especially the political class.

    The electoral commission certainly must be fully accountable for making its processes smart and efficient, and it must hold its officials firmly liable for any infraction of established guidelines. But politicians must as well resolve ahead of time to help INEC succeed, and give the commission benefit of the doubt in the event of logistical hitches. The point must be made that elections are human operations governed by sociological laws, and not robotics governed by mechanical or atomic laws. Human operations everywhere rarely play out with statistical precision, and this is a fact of life that largely explains, without justifying, recurrent logistical challenges the electoral commission comes up against such as late arrival of personnel or materials to some polling units on Election Day. In all human projects, things that could go wrong more often than not do. The test of election administration in all societies is not that things won’t ever go wrong, because they inevitably do; it is rather how the election manager responds in timely fashion with redress mechanisms.

    The Edo governorship election on Saturday should show to what extent INEC has upgraded its processes, which the commission has already made known now involve a newly acquired e-collation system, in the build-up towards the 2019 general election. But the governorship poll is as well an opportunity for the political class to demonstrate an improved culture of electoral engagement. While INEC has a historic responsibility to scale up the mechanics of making Nigerian elections credible and globally respected, the commission’s efforts would amount to little unless it is matched with a deepening of democratic ethos among the political elite. Will the Edo election show that promise?

  • Nine Edo communities battle darkness

    An electrification project that would have brought joy to nine communities in Ward three of Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State has turn into a nightmare for residents in the community as leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressive Congress are at loggerheads over who should execute the project.

    The communities comprising Ogbuwe , Utese, Egbeta, Ogbetse, Olumoye, Edienzegbughe, Okodu and Aghanokpe have been without electricity for years.

    Already, 13 youths from the locality have been arrested and remanded to prison custody for allegedly stopping work on the electricity project. Leaders of PDP have been protesting the arrest of the 13 youths.

    Youths and elders of the communities had in January protested to the headquarters of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to register their displeasure over inability of the electricity firm to restore power to them.

    The protesters warned political parties not to take any campaign to their Ward to solicit for votes in the governorship election.

    Leader of the protesters, Emmanuel Ogefia, had told newsmen that for ‘over five years, the people of the communities have been in total blackout for reason they could not decipher.

    “We are tired of staying in darkness and that is why we are crying out to governor for assistant so that we will be out of darkness. If not, no light, no vote. We will not even allow any political parties to bring their campaign train to our communities and if they do, it means they have brought problem to us.

    “That is just the matter. They should give us light so that there can be peace between the aspirants and the people of our communities because they are the ones deceiving us”.

    It was gathered that electricity was first extended to the nine communities through Okada by Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin Kingdom but was disconnected for reasons unknown to the affected.

    Moved by the plight of the communities, the lawmaker representing Ovia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Barr. Omosede Igbinedion, said she used her personal funds to began remedial works on the lines as well as erecting electric poles.

    Omosede said her efforts to fulfill electioneering promises by provide electricity to the communities was stopped by leaders of APC in the locality because of the September 10 governorship election.

    She accused a former Deputy Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Bright Osayande and the State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Priestly Ediagbonya, who hailed from the community as being responsible for stopping the project because of the forthcoming elections.

    According to her, “Bright Osayande is a third term lawmaker and he fail to do the electricity project. During my electioneering campaign, I promised to embark on providing electricity for the people. It was on that ground I started the electrification project with my money.

    “APC members came and said they want to put poles on where I have dug to out to put poles. The community resisted them that they should not do it that they failed to do the project for the past eight years. The community riot and Ediagbonya brought thugs to the place.

    “It was after the altercation that Ediagbonya went to the police station and the police invited 13 of them who were just artisans. They went to the police station and were detained on charges of assault. We were surprised the State Commissioner for Justice changed the charge to attempted murder and they were arraigned and remanded to prison custody.”

    “This is the problem of democracy in Nigeria. The system has failed us. The three arms of government are supposed to be separate. In Edo, there is the fusion of Executive and the Judiciary. We also see the police working in connivance with the state government. It is something the federal government has to come to our aid. The international community should come and monitor this election. These young men have no reason to be behind bars. Oshiomhole is a dictator and has no respect for the rule of law.”

    Ediagbonya on his part said it was the community elders that decided to contribute money to fix the electricity project after Chief Igbinedion cut off electricity supply from Okada after the people refused to vote for the PDP.

    The Youths and Sports Commissioner said they got approval from the Benin Electricity Distribution Company after modalities were worked out on how to pay the N2.2m electricity bills owed by the community.

    He displayed a letter written to the BEDC and signed by four leaders of the community expressing the communities readiness to pay for the electricity project.

    The letter was signed by Ebose Terry, Edosomwan Segun, Edo Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Priestly Ediagbonya and Hon Matthew Oguntimehin.

    In the letter in which they sought permission to carry out remedial work on the BEDC lines from Iguomo to Ogbesse, the communities promised to pay the outstanding N2.2m electricity debts in four installments, replace 210 wooden electric poles with concrete poles.

    The communities’ elders also said the work would not attract any additional cost to the BEDC and urged the BEDC to send engineers to supervise the remedial works.

    Ediagbonya in his words said, “Two days to election, Chief Igbinedion gave us light. After the election, he put it off. We went into partnership with CSDP. If you are paying 10percent, they will add 90 percent. We revalue the project. We attended meeting here six times.

    “After PHCN changed ownership and the new BEDC told us to wait that when they settle down and fix the sub-station at Isihor. We had meetings and reached a compromised. We reached an agreement to pay the debt in four installments. All remedial work will be at no cost to BEDC. As we were doing it, we heard Omosede was also working on the project at a time constituency project is still a controversy due to padding.

    “We told BEDC about Omosede actions and they said whoever they did not give approval cannot work on their line. They gave us letter of attorney. Based on that we took the poles and the workers. On their way, some boys blocked the road with shootings, canisters. Police shot into the air to scare them away. They escorted the vehicle to the express road. They beat a former councilor to stupor. They smashed my car.

    “The boys were being used by Igbinedion daughter. The one she electrified at Igo was done by Osahon. We can no longer be enslave. The Esama boasted that if we do the project he will cut it and disconnect us.

    “He first cut us off because PDP was at the centre. I am doing what I am doing now because PDP has lost power. If it were then, nobody will listen to my complaint. They will just phone them in Abuja to cut us off. Let them mention the person who gave them authority.”

    As both the PDP and APC battle over who would execute the projects, the communities have remained in darkness and suffer the consequences.

  • Why Edo should vote Obaseki, by monarch

    Why Edo should vote Obaseki, by monarch

    Traditional ruler of Udo community, His Royal Highness, Patrick Igbinidu, the Iyase N’ Udo has warned his subjects to wait for the wrath of the ancestors if they vote against candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.

    The Udo monarch said the plan by the APC to develop the state will  be realised under Obaseki.

    He spoke yesterday when the APC ward campaign train visited his domain in Ovia South West local government area.

    HRH Igbinudu said they have sent Obaseki on an errand and they have prayed God to grant him success to do what he has promised to do.

    He said:  “All the nooks and crannies of Udo should be told that it is Obaseki that we will vote for as the next governor after Oshiomhole.

    “You all have seen it, this is who the Udo people should support, who said he won’t vote for him, he should wait for the ancestors. The entire Udo kingdom should vote for him and anyone who gives his votes to another person is on his own”. The Udo monarch charged.

    Obaseki on his part thanked the monarch for the support and promised that attention would be given to the community to improve the standard of living in the area.

    He said he would utilize the resources of the community to the benefit of the people who he noted will be empowered and strengthened to be self dependent.

     

  • Group to INEC: don’t use e-collation of results for Edo, Ondo polls

    Group to INEC: don’t use e-collation of results for Edo, Ondo polls

    A group, the Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy and Constitution (CDNDC) at the weekend cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against the use of electronic (e-collation) of results in the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States.

    The Edo governorship election will hold on September 10 while it will be Ondo’s turn on November 26.

    The co-convener of the group, Mr Ariyo-Dare Atoye, said in a statement that it could be prone to abuse.

    The group said it feared that the system could create problem if used for the first time in a major election.

    “We wish to urgently alert Nigerians and all stakeholders in our electoral process to the fact that the planned application of e-collation of results is not backed by the Electoral Act, and that it has not been tested in smaller elections to ascertain its effectiveness.

    ” We fear that it may be hijacked, manipulated and used to undermine the credibility of results.”

    It added that INEC in a similar fashion deployed the “untested Smart Card Readers (SCR) technology on a large scale for the conduct of the 2015 general elections”, in spite of it not being tested in smaller elections.

    But INEC had not said it would use e-collation for the Edo and Ondo elections. INEC chairman Prof Mahmood Yakubu said last week that INEC would consider transmitting results from polling units to collation centre in the 2019 elections .

  • Tanker fire destroys shops in Edo

    Tanker fire destroys shops in Edo

    An early morning fire that resulted from a tanker explosion at Upper Mission junction along the Benin-Auchi Expressway razed several shops on Wednesday.

    Residents scooping fuel that spilled from the tanker escaped death as they ran for safety before the fire spread.

    Four persons were injured in the inferno, while several vehicles were razed.

    It was initially believed that some persons were caught in the inferno but after the fire was put out, it was discovered that nobody died.

    The fire caused heavy traffic along the road.

    Eyewitnesses said the tanker driver attempted to make a U-turn at a diversion sign on the road when the tanker fell and spilled its content.

    The Nation gathered that the tanker driver fled the scene after the incident.

  • 2012 flood: Displaced villagers still live in public buildings in Edo

    Four years after the 2012 flood in Edo State, many displaced persons are still staying in public buildings in the affected local government areas, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    Five villages – Daba, Anegbette, Oghomere, Udochi and Ukepeko – all in Etsako Central Local Government Area, were displaced by the flood.

    Also, homes and food crops worth millions of naira were destroyed, forcing the residents to relocate to public buildings.

    Although some have moved out of the camps, many who had no option are still at the temporary camps.

    To relocate such villagers and provide shelter to victims of similar disasters in the future, the Federal Government built a resettlement camp at Oghomere-Ekperi.

    The Coordinator of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr Edward Osigbeme, told NAN in Benin, the state capital, that the camp would be completed soon.

    He said the project had reached 90 per cent completion level, adding: “The project will be handed over to the state government in the next few weeks.”

    Osigbeme said some of the facilities at the camp include single rooms, one bedroom apartments, open dormitory, boreholes, stores, relaxation centres and security post.

    The site engineer Lucky Iyamah said the camp had reached 90 per cent completion level.

    Iyamah said: “The camp is almost completed. What is left is not much. The camp will be ready in the next few months.”

    The Egiegbai of Ekperi, Chief Deke Kanoba, who hailed the Federal Government for the project, urged the affected persons to be patient.

    He said the Federal Government was working hard to complete the project.

  • We have shown that Edo is a viable state, says Oshiomhole

    We have shown that Edo is a viable state, says Oshiomhole

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State said yesterday that the All Progressives Congress (APC) government has demonstrated that the state is  viable after it was brought to its knees by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during its eight years in the state.

    Oshiomhole, spoke at rallies in Ameddokhian, Egbele, Uzea and Ivue, near Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of the state.

    The PDP, he said, was never interested in the development of the state having made the people to believe that the state was a pure civil service state, and as such, had no money.

    His words:”PDP’s years of leadership in Edo was a waste. They told us that there is no money in Edo and they failed to build schools, construct roads, build hospitals and they even sacked workers.

    “But with our efforts these past seven years, we have shown that Edo is a viable state. This is evident in the schools and hospitals we have built, the roads we have constructed, and water we have provided across the state.

    “It is for this reason that we are bold to ask for continuity. The continuity I am asking is that the work APC has started must be completed,” he said.

    Oshiomhole said his administration’s development strides across the state and Edo Central particularly, surpassed what an indigene of Esan land could not do, even when they held sway as leadership of the PDP at both state and national levels.

    “Instead of developing this place, they only bring to you, every four years, N2,000 for you to vote for them. They again abandon you only to resurface four years later for another deceit.

    “To me, this is disservice to you. This tells you that they never mean well for you. They only try to buy you to gain power in order for them to enrich themselves,” he said.

    At the rally, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, APC flag bearer, said what Oshiomhole’s administration had done was to lay foundation to take the state to the next level.

    “The process of rebuilding Edo started with Oshiomhole’s government. Our work now is to take the state to the next level, to an enviable height that we all desire it to be.

    “Apart from continuing with the roads construction, building of schools and hospitals, provision of water and many others, our focus will be on human capital development.

    “We want to be able to ensure that youths that constitute about 60 percent of the state’s population are either engaged productively or learn a trade. Our women will also be empowered,” he added.

    On his part, the state chairman of the party, Mr. Anselm Ojezua appealed for support from the people of the senatorial district.