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Tag: Edo

  • Edo: Court remands man for murder

    Edo: Court remands man for murder

    A 34-year old man, Fabian Enogieru, has been remanded in prison custody by an Evboriaria Magistrate’s Court for allegedly killing one Pallen Enogieru.

    Fabian was alleged to have killed his victim by hitting him with a piece of wood on the head.

    Police Prosecutor, ASP Aigbedion Obarkpolor, told the court that the accused committed the offence on October 8, 2015, at No. 1, Amayo Street off Upper Sakponba in Benin.

    The Plea of the accused was not taken on the one count of murder filed against him.

    Presiding Magistrate, Mrs N.P Edogun, said the Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case.

    Edogun ordered the case file sent to the Department of Public Prosecution for legal, and adjourned the case to December 22 for mentioning.

    The offence is punishable Under Section 319 (1) of the criminal Code Cap 48 Vol. 11 Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria 1976 now applicable in Edo.

  • ‘Edo remains an investment haven’

    ‘Edo remains an investment haven’

    Mr. Joe Okojie, Edo State Commissioner for Agriculture, who assumed office some weeks back, unveiled his plans for the ministry while playing host to the 11th Supervision Mission of the Rural Finance Institution Building (RUFIN) programme in Benin, Edo State capital, reports Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf 

    Rural farmers in Edo State got over N1.2billion as loan disbursement from the Rural Finance Institution Building (RUFIN) programme. How does that make you feel?

    When you say N1.2billion, it will appear as if it was disbursed at once. But the amount from the record I have has been disbursed since 2010 at the inception of the programme on a revolving basis. So, it is not as if it was just disbursed at once. But be that as it may, I think I feel very encouraged that there are facilities out there that our people at the grassroots level, who ordinarily won’t have access to credit, can now have access to it so that they can use in their various small scale farms in order to increase their productivity. So for me, that’s a step in the right direction.

    What strategies do you have in place to ensure that the programme is sustained given the fact that the programme is wrapping up next year?

    First of all, I must commend the RUFIN team for doing their part. It’s a programme I that I think is worthy of note and going forward, we as a government, we have a responsibility to cater for our people. What we have to do as a government is to take ownership of the programme and continue to make sure that our people, especially those at the grassroots level continue to have access to resources to improve in their farm and in their productivity in general.

    RUFIN is a programme through which help and relief can be given to people at the grassroots. That is why when I took over office, I took interest in the project and I made itý my project. I’m doing my best so that, we as a government will fulfill our own end of the project. I promise you that we will do the needful and will do more to take ownership of the programme when RUFIN is gone. My hope is that, going forward, we will have better synergy so that we are able to deliver on our promises.

    Farmers in Edo State like their counterparts across the federation look up to government for one assistance or the other. As the Commissioner for Agric, what’s your agenda for farmers in your state?

    Well, for me, the farmers are my primary constituency in the state and I will do whatever I can consciously do to deliver on my deliverables. And my deliverable is to make sure that we help them to pursue their goals in whatever we can.

    The state government is yet to make its commitment as far as the counterpart funding of the RUFIN programme is concerned. Can you bring us up to speed on what is being done in that regard?

    We’re aware of the challenges and we’re willing to do whatever we can to address the challenges. Edo state is an agrarian state with over 65 per cent of the residents here involved in one form of agriculture or the other. So agriculture is very key and we’re willing to do whatever we can to encourage people in agriculture, especially at the grassroots. That’s why we take particular interest and liking for RUFIN programme given the fact that the programme is directed at people at the grassroots. When I first came back into the country and saw the way things were going, a situation where you have people at the grassroots not been catered for, I told myself that if we continue on this path, a time will come when we will no longer be able to protect the very few rich because we have not made provisions for the very many poor. So, my quest was to make sure that the gap and divide was addressed and I think coming on board, I found that through the RUFIN programme we can channel help to the poor and needy in the society. So, naturally I took interest in the project and I have made it my project ever since.

    One of the challenges that confront smallholder farmers is the challenge of preserving their produce. What scheme does the state has in place to assist in that regard?

    Concerning the issue of preservation, just last week we looked at an array of things that can help farmers to preserve their harvest and be able to optimise it. We’re looking at the silos we have to see how we can refurbish them so that some of these farmers can take advantage of the silos to preserve whatever it is they’re going to harvest.

    However, that’s just one of the measures. But we’re considering the suggestions and innovations that came up last week and we’re looking at them. My hope is that we’ll make the best use of the opportunity in the shortest possible time. So we’re still evaluating what will work in this environment.

    In the past, the state partnered with foreign investors to grow the agric base. Are you still open to such collaboration?

    We’re still talking to a lot of investors. As we speak l’m scheduled to have an appointment with some investors. We’re targeting new investors and we hope to give them incentives to encourage them to come and invest in the state. We’re determined to make Edo State an investment haven.

    Can you be specific on the revenue projections from these new investments?

    Don’t you think it would be dangerous to count your chickens before they are hatched? (Laughs).

    Another challenge farmers contend with is how to add value to their produce in terms of processing, etc. What is the state government doing to help in this area?

    I must admit there are infrastructural deficit. But considering the time I have, if I embark on building infrastructure now, it will be difficult to achieve that. However, our plan is that we want to be able to put the state on the path of growth by setting medium and long term goals. But in the interim, we’re looking at short term goals, which is to help farmers reach their productivity and help them with access to the market. If you go to the rural areas, you will see that what the Comrade Governor has done is to pave roads through farm communities so that farmers will be able to take their produce to the market.

    That’s the first thing. In that regard, you will agree with me that we have been able to build infrastructure across various communities to ease the transportation of produce to the market. In the short term, we have achieved one key deliverables. I’m sure our medium term would be to add value by setting up processing plants. But let me say here and now that it is not going to be done in my tenure unless you want me to lie to you and l’m not going to lie to you. If sit down here and tell l’m going to that in my tenure, l will be lying to you. It’s not just possible because even more l desire it, time will not permit me.

    What l will concentrate on are things we can achieve in the short run that can increase the productivity of the farmers such as the RUFIN programme that gives direct credit access to the farmers and that’s why we’re not leaving any stone unturned in our quest to ensure the programme succeeds. Why I have decided to take ownership of it and do whatever I can to make sure that we sustain it and the state takes over so that our farmers can continue to have access to improve on their productivity.

  • Edo 2016: Battle of the titans

    Edo 2016: Battle of the titans

    The race to the Governorship of Edo State, from all appearances, promises to take the shape of the legendry “Battle of the Titans”. With no less than 20 aspirants across the party divide already in the race and still counting, there is little doubt that the ancient and traditional land of Igomigodo is about to witness a robust political contest that will stretch the political maturity of the people to the limit. But it is all for the best and shows that the incumbent Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has not only opened the political space in the State in the last eight years but has further opened the eyes of the people to the realities of governance.

    What is, perhaps, most interesting is the mix of the aspirants to the governorship race. Aside the old political war horses who have made their appearances in the race once or twice, or have held political positions by reason of appointments, there is a full dose of the academia who have, over the years, made their marks and left their footprints in the sands of the nation’s Ivory Tower. Then there are the members of the Private Sector who, perhaps, have suddenly realised that in order to grow the real economy of the State they must be on the driver’s seat and in control of the engine of growth which is the Private Sector.

    Heading the political old war horses is, for example, Professor Oserhemen Osunbor who contested and won the Edo State Governorship election in 2007 with the ticket of the PDP but whose election was invalidated by the State’s Election Tribunal in 2008. Interestingly, the man he now seeks to succeed in office, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, is the same person who took the seat from him by virtue of the Tribunal’s verdict. Perhaps, more interesting is the fact that the erudite Professor is attempting a come back under the umbrella of the ruling APC. Then there is Professor Julius Ihonvbere, Political Scientist and former Secretary to the Government of Edo State. He resigned in 2012 and contested the Edo North Senatorial seat but lost. He is also contesting under the umbrella of the APC.

    And heading the Private Sector entrants, perhaps, is Engineer Chris Ogiemwonyi, a former Group Executive Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and a former Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who lately decamped from the PDP to the APC. He runs alongside  Professor Osayuki Oshodin, the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, another PDP decampee, Chief Lucky Imasuen and Pastor Ize Iyamu of the PDP. There is also Architect Mike Onelememen, Senator Ehige Uzamere and Major General Charles Airhiavhere who battled for the seat with Comrade Oshiomhole in 2012. With all these men in the race, is there any doubt that the people are going to witness a repeat of the Battle of the Titans? This is because these are juggernauts in their own rights and judging from their records, they should not be taken lightly when they enter a political battle such as is being envisaged in the State in 2016.

    One possible difficulty, though, that could arise for the people in making their choice, perhaps, will be the personalities involved: what with the different levels of influence that are bound to come to play during the campaigns and the election itself. However, the out-going administration of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has lessened the burden of choice by providing the dividends of good governance by which any incoming administration would, no doubt, be assessed. He has, in the last eight years, brought to bear on the State the effectiveness and efficiency of the Private Sector as engine of growth of any economy.  The people of Edo State need someone who will sustain that tempo of development in the State after Oshiomhole.

    Looking at the profiles of the aspirants, especially those coming from the Private Sector, Engineer Christopher Ogiemwonyi stands out as the leader and most experienced administrator and manager of men and resources. With over 30 years of work experience in the oil and gas industry, this graduate of the University of Benin, a 1974 B.Sc. (Hons) holder in Applied Physics with option in Electronics and 1976 post graduate Diploma holder in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Ibadan, has proven his mettle as an administrator and high profile manager of men and resources. Aside his intimidating academic achievements, 64 year old Christopher has a daunting career profile which began way back in the late 1970s. He began his career as a Petroleum Engineer 11 in 1975 with the Conservation Department and in February, 1977 was seconded to Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Warri, a secondment which was enriched by a four and half month Advance Petroleum Engineering Programme in SPDC Training Centre in the Hague, Netherlands. Between 1978 through 1982, he worked in various departments of Petroleum Resources including the then newly created gas Department.

    In 1999, he was promoted General Manager, Operations and moved to National Petroleum Investments Management Services (NAPIMS) to oversee the Operations Division. He midwifed various projects especially the Local content initiative of the Federal Government. By dint of hard work, he was appointed the Group General Manager, NAPIMS in 2001. As GGM NAPIMS, he oversaw the whole industry including the Joint Ventures (JV) and the Production Sharing Companies (PSCs). While in NAPIMS, he served as Chairman, Nigeria OTC Committee for 2003 and 2004. Between 1999-2003, he midwifed key projects including EA field, Erha field, Bonga field and Agbami field amongst others. Also, under his watch, NAPIMS achieved zero cash call arrears by October, 2003. As GGM NAPIMS, the Oil Industry was encouraged on joint utilization of assets such as offshore swamp rigs. Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi is, perhaps most noted today for his achievements while in NAPIMS. With an objective to compete with international oil and gas concerns, Engnr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, in 1988, facilitated the formation of Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) which he headed as Project Leader (Petroleum Engineer) in Benin City until 1999.

    Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC),was incorporated in 1988 and, as stated earlier, one of its objectives was to compete as an indigenous Oil and Gas producing Company. NPDC was assigned four acreages including OML – 65 containing Abura Field, a takeover asset from the defunct TENNECO then producing at 980 bopd. He championed the takeover of this asset, kept an up-to-date reserves position of the new Company and served as the Abura Field Project Leader, He raised the production level from 980 bopd to over 4,000 bopd in 1990. In 1992, he served as Oredo Field Project Leader. This was a Greenfield project that involved KELT ENERGY,UK and IP CONSTRUCTION, Calgary. He also served as Oziengbe field Leader. This is another 10,000 bopd EPC facility at Oziengbe field.

    If the career profile of Chris Ogiemwonyi is daunting, his professional progression is even more so. For example, he is currently President, Energy and Engineering Technology Construction Company, an Energy Consulting Group, a position he has held since May 2011. He was Minister of State for Works from April 2010 to May 2011, President Energy Strategy Centre (Esc) Abuja, an Energy Consulting Group,  from September 2009 to April 2010, Group Executive Director Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation ( Exploration & Production Directorate) from September 2007 to April 2009. As Group Executive Director (GED) Exploration and Production, Engr. Ogiemwonyi was in charge of seven NNPC Companies and Subsidiaries which included National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Nigerian Gas Company (NGC), LNG & Power Division, Integrated Data Services Limited (IDSL), Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) Crude Oil, Marketing Division and Local Content Division.  He was Managing Director, Nigerian Gas Company Limited Warri, from March 2005 to September 2007. In March 2005, he was reassigned to National Gas Company Limited as Managing Director. His focus was to increase gas supply to major customers like; PHCN, SNG, GSLINK, WAPCO, SHAGAMU, and EWEKORO, NOTORE FERTILIZER PH,OBAJANA CEMENT COMPANY etc NGC is coordinating 130mmscf/d gas supply (WAGP – West Africa gas Supply Project) to Benin, Togo, Ghana and hopefully to Ivory Coast. Trans- Sahara Gas Project (TSGP), the 2 billion scf/d supply from Nigeria through Algeria to Europe, was another portfolio under his supervision as NGC’s helmsman.

    A technocrat per excellent, Chris Ogiemwonyi served on the board of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). He was also former council member of Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Warri and Chairman, N-Gas. Also a former Director NETCODIETSMANN and one time Board member of Nigermed, Engnr. Ogiemwonyi served as member, Presidential Committee on Independent Power Project (IPP) development for Niger Delta, served as a member of the NNPC Corporate Board and Chairman of Hyson/Calson Joint Venture (JV). He was also a member of the Presidential Committee on Accelerated Expansion of Electricity Infrastructure.

    A product of the Harvard Business School, Ogiemwonyi belongs to many professional bodies including the society of Petroleum Engineers. He is a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and former President of the Nigeria Gas Association. He is a recipient of the Justice of Peace (JP) by Edo State Government and the Kwame Nkrumah Leadership Award. Ogiemwonyi, who is married and blessed with children, is patron to several bodies, including the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the Association of Community Newspapers Publishers of Nigeria (ACNPN) .

    • Obasuyi sent this piece from Benin

     

     

     

  • Gully erosion: Edo community on the verge of extinction 

    Ihinmwin Community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State is one of the oldest communities in Benin Kingdom. The community is almost as old as the ancient kingdom and it is separated from Benin City, the headquarters of ancient Benin Empire and present capital of Edo State by the Benin Moat.

    Ihinmwin had good road network and they are well paved but over the last few years they have become impassable.

    The only road tarred in Ihinmwin is the Saint Saviour Road and a good part of the road has been washed away over the years. Other roads leading to Upper Sokponba and the Ikpoba River are hell for residents, especially during the rains.

    Besides the poor state of the roads, Ihinmwin, according to the residents, lacked basic amenities such as health centre and water supply. There are two primary schools and one secondary school in community. Sadly, only one of the primary schools was given facelift as part of the ‘Red Roof’ education revolution of the Governor Adams Oshiomhole administration in the state

    A gully that reared its ugly head in 2006 near the Ikpoba River axis has expanded to an unimaginable level and has swallowed over 30 houses during the past nine years, forcing landlords in some areas to flee. About five streets in Ihinmwin are gradually being swallowed by the gully.

    An 11 kilometers road project by the Niger Delta Development Commission in the area has since been abandoned. Another NDDC project that gulped millions of naira failed to solve flooding and erosion problems in a large part of Ihinmwin.

    Mr Roland Okhuarobo, whose house is close to one of the erosion sites, said he decided to remain in the house even though other members of his family have fled. Roland said the gully in front of house started four years ago after flood water was directed to the area.

    His words, “I have lived here for almost 25 years, the gully started about four years ago. We cannot do anything about it. People owned these houses but erosion has driven them away. There is nothing I can do. My children have fled but I have nowhere to go. If the government can come and help we will be happy.

    “There was no hole here. Flood water was directed to this area and that was how it started.”

    Dr. Iyare Odede said residents have been begging relevant authorities to help them find solution to the problem in order to avert a situation where landlords in the area become tenants in order parts of the state.

    “We are begging the state government to come and help us. We cannot drive our cars out. Whenever it rains, we keep our children inside to avoid them being swept away.”

    Odionwere of Wire road, Augustine Ikponmwosa, said there was nothing like government presence in Ihinmwin adding, “There are no good roads, water, health care services”.

    “The land we preserved for the health centre is still there. I was the chairman of Ihinmwin Committee; we built the primary school with our money including the market. We did it with our money. There is no benefit from the government. We want the present government to look into our affairs. The only secondary school is not well maintained. There are no chairs and the buildings have started collapsing.”

    Traditional ruler (Enogie) of Ihinmwin, His Royal Highness Osabuohien Ogiemwenken, said he was taken aback at the widening dimension the gully has taken since the last time he visited the site.

    He said: “In 2003, we went there and saw that it was about 30 feet deep and five feet long. We had a meeting to see what we can do. It was not as bad as this.”

    “I believe it was caused by a sink hole. It was not somebody that went there to excavate sand but there is so much flood in that area. That flood might have contributed to the new development.

    “There have been lots of ups and downs. A commissioner for environment said it was a man-made gully but we made him to understand that it was not like that but there has not been response from the state government at all.

    “There is not enough government presence in the whole of Ikpoba-Okha not to talk of Ihinmwin. For some reasons, the present administration has not taken it as a priority. Its focus has been in Oredo and other local governments. The state is not interested in doing anything here in terms of roads and even schools. Most schools here were not renovated by the state government. We have not felt the impact of the state government.”

  • Edo is Nigeria’s best – World Bank

    Edo is Nigeria’s best – World Bank

    The World Bank on Wednesday described Edo State as the best in the country in terms of transparency, openness, candour and value for money.

    The World Bank commended Governor Adams Oshiomhole for paying over N1billion counterpart fund, which it said qualified the state to enjoy its projects and other incentives.

    Task Team Leader of the World Bank, Dr. Amos Abu, stated this when he led other members of his team to pay a courtesy visit on Governor Oshiomhole.

    Dr. Abu, who said they were in the state to inspect ongoing erosion control projects in Auchi, Queen Ede and Ekenwa, described work progress on the site as outstanding.

    He disclosed that the bank has not receive any single complain of political interference from the state, saying that was very unique.

    The action, according to him, meant contractors and consultants were looking at the body language of the governor.

    “Our core engineers are already in Auchi to look at the work that is going on and to also provide guidance on how it can be quickly completed. We are also very happy with the new site that has been put forward for the bank funding. A close look at this site shows that they met the site selection criteria so we are very happy to consider and take them on board.

    “Particularly worth mentioning is the level of commitment by the state. This is demonstrated by the over N1 billion counterparts which you have paid and no other state has been able to match this.”

    “Since the governor is not intervening, is not interested in intervening, this ensures that the most responsive bidder wins at all time and at all cost. No other person dare try to interfere and this is really a source of comfort to us.”

    “It is not every state in the country that the world bank is present and for the bank to be willing as to work with Edo State, it means the very high standard of transparency, openness, candour and value for money is been upheld by the state,” he stated.

     

  • Igbinedion: Edo women protest in red

    Igbinedion: Edo women protest in red

    Some women’s groups in Benin, the Edo State capital, protested yesterday in red attire, following the face-off between Governor Adams Oshiomhole and the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion.

    The governor, in his anti-graft war, said his predecessor, Chief Luck Igbinedion, has a case to answer on alleged misappropriation of some funds and mismanagement of some projects.

    He is also at loggerheads with the Esama of Benin on how his university at Okada allegedly short-changed the state through its students’ practicals.

    The protesting women’s red attire, called ‘Ododo’, is worn in Benin Kingdom to signify danger and war.

    The women marched on the Oba Ovoramwen Square to the Emotan Shrine and other shrines in the ancient city.

    An old woman among the protesters bared her body in apparent anger.

    The protesters, under the aegis of Concerned Women in Edo, said they were expressing their displeasure at what they called the “disrespectful utterances of the governor on a Benin chief and father of a former governor”.

    They expressed worry about the alleged invectives on Chief Igbinedion, adding that such utterances offended the Benin nation.

    The protesters went to the House of Assembly complex where they pleaded to see Speaker Victor Edoror.

    One of them, who refused to say her name, said: “We are women and, as mothers, sisters and aunts to Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, we say no to any form of disrespectful behaviour for the person of Chief Igbinedion.

    “We, as mothers, cannot see evil in the land and support it. We are against the action of the governor, particularly on Chief Igbinedion and his household.

    “We are here because of the hardship we are going through in Benin. We cannot pay the Land Use Charge. We pay for water; we pay our children’s school fees. The cost of transportation to New Benin is a problem for us.

    “We voted for him (Oshiomhole) to repair Edo State for us, not only in Iyamho, his village. Let him fix things in Edo State. The House of Assembly kept quiet because they are under him.

    “Now, women have come out to tell them that we are not happy. We are dressed in red to say that there is danger in Edo State because the governor is not doing well.”

    The State Woman Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Ann Amadasun, said the women were paid N200 each to protest against the government.

    She said it was worrisome that the women were protesting against the payment of taxes by the rich.

    Dr Amadasun said the policies of the APC-led administration were aimed at uplifting the children of the protesters out of poverty.

    She said: “The women should not be deceived. Many of them don’t know why they are in the street. Why is it that whenever there is a problem politicians will buy head ties for women and give them N200 to protest?

    “You want the government to improve your lives but you don’t want to pay taxes. All over the world, people pay taxes without protest.”

  • Edo drums support for rural finance programme

    The Edo state government has restated its commitment to the Rural Finance Institution Building programme to ensure availability of funds for rural dwellers in the state.

    Mr Joe Okojie, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, made the promise in Benin when RUFIN’s Leader of 11th Supervision Mission, Mr Swandip Sihna, ýpaid a courtesy visit to the state.

    The commissioner said the government was mapping out strategies to take ownership of the programme when the project was over.

    While noting that the state is an agrarian society with more than 67 per cent of the residents involved in different form of agricultural activities, he however assured that the state government is putting in place measures that would boost agricultural production, especially in the rural areas.

    “RUFIN is a programme through which help and relief can be given to people at the grassroots,” he said, adding: “That is why when I took over office, I took interest in the project and I made itý my project.”

    “I am doing my best so that, we as a government will fulfill our own end of the project.

    “I promise you that we will do the needful and will do more to take ownership of the programme when RUFIN is gone.

    “My hope is that, going forward, we will have better synergy so that we are able to deliver on our promises.”

    Earlier, RUFIN’s Deputy National Project Coordinator, Mrs Unekwu Ufaruna, said the programme was targeted at building informal rural financial institutions, and linking them to formal micro finance institutions to access loans without collateral.

    She said RUFIN had formed 700 village savings and credit groups also known as ‘Esusu’ mainly made up of women.

    Ufaruna said the programme was working with seven Micro Finance Institutions in the state, through which N1.2ýbn had been disbursed as loans to rural farmers, since its inception.

    She said at the beginning of RUFIN Edo government was regular at paying counterpart financing, stressing that this should be sustained.

  • ‘Oshiomhole ‘ll complete all projects’

    ‘Oshiomhole ‘ll complete all projects’

    Prince Kassim Afegbua is the Special Adviser, Media and Public Affairs, to Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole. In this interview with OSAGIE OTABOR, he speaks on the governor’s determination to complete the on-going projects, despite the cash crunch that has hit the Southsouth state.

    What will the people of Edo State remember Governor Adams Oshiomhole for?

    It depends on the perspective that you are looking at it from. Different individuals, groups and persons will have their different appreciation of any circumstance, any situation. To a large extent, if we look at Oshiomhole, Edo people will remember him for several intervention he was able to bring to bare on the generality of the people in the area of welfare, infrastructural development, in the area of prudent management of resources to help move the Edo dream froward. I am talking of a dream that is encapsulated in better life for the people, a dream that has been able to alter the narrative from a callous state of the economy that has earned confidence of the people to one that is being able to ginger the people to own their government and be part and parcel of the power process, from an inherited halitosis to something that has become eldorado in comparative terms. He may not have all the answers to problems in the state but he is being to courageously show leadership by example, he is being able to make very bold statement and step on the right toes to get things done. He is being able to put aside issues of personal friendship and do that which will please the majority of the people so that there can be common good for all. Achievements are very fantastic in view of what was on ground when we came on board. Ten years under the people, we didn’t see much. Now we can speak to a number of issues, we can speak of hospital being built, we can speak of schools. Education is the fulcrum for jump starting any solid economy and when we came, education was in complete comatose and that is agreeable by even naysayers of the PDP. We will beat our chest that it is true we have not being able to address all the problems but the problems we have been able to address have provided enough platform for successive government to built on.

    People talk about industries, which Governor Oshiomhole has not built especially the unfulfilled 10,000 jobs promised last year?

    The business of government all over the world is to provide the enabling environment for businesses to thrive. The attraction is no longer that of a government sponsor industrial layout or government run businesses. Government is to provide the enabling environment by way of providing the basic amenities that businesses need to flourish. The Dangote group had commenced the process of building a fertilizer plant at Agenebode one time and along the line there were issues of feasibility study and they have to move out. If it has manifested, we would have had 10,000 jobs. Anyway, we have been able to attract the BUA Group to build a brand new cement plant at Ukpilla worth over $2bn. They have commenced test run operation. The previous cement factory was sold at an arbitrarily very low price. The liability was more than the actual cost of the factory. What government did was to provide the moral booster to ensure that the BUA Groups that bought it takes off with that one or we reclaim and resell. Once they saw that political will from the Governor, they quickly came to site and rejuvenated the old cement factory and built a new one. They have started recruiting. There is a bamboo factory at Anegbette which was put in place by some individuals as a function of the 26 kilometer road that was constructed by Oshiomhole. Go and ask the management they will tell you that if that road was not constructed, they won’t make use of the bamboo in that area. That has employed a lot of people. The Vietnamese farmers came and they started planting rice at Anegbette but Federal Government policy under the PDP came up with waivers. They were granting waivers to rice importers killing local initiatives. Once you grant waiver, imported rice will be cheaper than local rice. Those companies that wanted to something genuine had to do a rethink ditto for Leventis Farms in Agenebode. The Leventis people have return to site because they know there is a new government. They have cleared the site. We have given additional land for Okomu and Presco Oil to expand. There are a number of things happening but people want to see government erecting factories. It does not work that way in a civilize democracy. The cost of building is not the issue but you might later discover a Federal government policy that will place it at a disadvantage. What government does all over the world is to generate platform, ideas, create good road network to ensure that businesses prosper. The Azura Power Plant is one of our own investment in the area of electricity and in no time the state will be feeling the impact of that.

    What about industries that thrived before the coming of Oshiomhole?

    Those companies, the juice factory, the cassavita, have they ever worked? They never worked, they were not even completed. The cost of producing based on what we saw on paper is more than what the companies were worth. The Juice Factory was sold before we came on board. We didn’t inherit it. The Cassavita is there grounded. We are trying to revitalize it by way of selling it off to persons who can run it. Government business is not to run small companies. They did nothing there. You need to visit there. What was expended on it is more than what the company is worth. We will take the best of decisions based on situations on ground to ensure that we are able to move forward. The Bendel Brewery has a lot of issues with litigations. The past administration took loans to reposition the place and that has become a liability to the state government. The people who bought it because of issues of litigations and certain liabilities have not been able to jumpstart anything. When we made effort to reclaim it, they went to court and we are still on that. We are getting some level of commitment in respect of the Comrade Buses. If we can’t run the Edo Line and we have the political will to give it to people who can run it. Have you taken time to know the liabilities and debts of Edo Line we were paying. We inherited a lot of rots. We pride ourselves as a government that has been able to provide economic infrastructure for businesses to grow and flourish. Pan-Ocean moved its headquarters to Benin. There is another gas plant company at Ologbo because the facilities are there and security has improved. The insecurity infrastructure and road network are in place and businesses are moving their headquarters to this place and that means a lot of benefit from our youths.

    Do you think Governor Oshiomhole is still popular in terms of aggressive tax collection?

    He is very popular. Each time we go out to inspect our projects, you see a lot of people coming out to clap their hands, to cheer him on and all of that. There are quite a lot of people that cannot walk the street of Benin in broad day light. People who have presided over the affairs of this state before but not so for us. We move with people, we interact with the people because we believe that they own the government. There is nothing new about tax policy. What is new is our tax drive. The laws have been there. We inherited the laws. What we are doing is to implement. Before now, they were doing negotiated tax payment. Rather than sit back and begin to lament dwindling federal allocation and IGR of about N250m, we needed to look inward and see what we can do. We decided to implement the tax laws which are federal laws and not state government. The PAYE is a federal tax law. When somebody is in your employment, you deduct tax and remit. People have been deducting without remitting. Taxes and taxation are not necessarily enacted at the convenience of anyone. The tax man is often derided in the society but it is a civic responsibility that must be carried out so that government can earn income to carry out infrastructural development and run its businesses the way it should be run. Where else do you want government to get money. You have been elected to work and you are going to do the work and one of the tools is by paying taxes so that you can own government. If you don’t pay tax, how do you challenge government on spending? If people are not paying taxes, why would they asked for good roads, good health care services and electricity? People know that the comrade governor does not have all the money before he became governor but the people trusted him. He cannot please everybody else he will playing God but by his policies and actions, he has being able to impact on a larger majority of Edo people in critical sector of the economy. Education was completely grounded in this state. We inherited what people referred to as mushroom schools. We don’t need to continue to lament that the state is a civil service state which was the believe in the years of the locust. We were ready to get money to make thing work because the overall benefit will be for the people of the state. People come up to say we have not done much in the GRA. We are asking the rich men living in GRA to pay Property Tax and they are refusing to pay. Instead, they are instigating and inciting the poor people who are not affected by the tax policy to go and protest. They want us to beautify everywhere but they are not paying tax for using the land. There is no where in the world where taxes are not paid on property. It is the same people that own the best automobiles with which they ply the road yet they don’t want to pay tax. Our own is to create a safe haven for the poor by taxing the rich so that we can take care of the poor. If we don’t take care of the poor, the rich cannot sleep well in their palatial homes. What is good and appropriate is to ensure that the rich is tax to get money to take care of the poor. The poor are following the rich ignorantly. We are trying to educate them abut the tax policy. The people need to understand before they go out to protest. Among those protesting, who among them is the son or daughter of a rich man. The people need to shine their eyes but we are not going to be distracted. We are focus as a government on what we want to achieve. Those living in rural areas are exempted.

    When will the three model schools be completed?

    On the issue of the Model Schools, the one in Benin City has reached the roofing stage but there was some sort of hiccup from the contractor, ditto for the one Edo Central which has also been commenced. We had to convert the one in Edo North to be part of the almost completed University of Science and Technology.

  • Edo probes Igbinedion for $31m, others

    The Edo State government has begun moves to recover $31 million allegedly stolen from its coffers under the Lucky Igbinedion administration.

    The decision to pobe the missing money was  reached yesterday at the Executive Council (Exco) meeting in Benin, the state capital.

    Addressing reporters, Information Commissioner Louis Odion said: “There is the issue of a fraud that was discovered while turning our books. We found that $31 million was fraudulently taken from the state’s coffers under the administration of Chief Lucky Igbinedion. The Comrade Governor (Adams Oshiomhole) has directed the Attorney-General to begin a legal action in that direction.

    “So, in the coming days, the state government will take legal action to ensure that what was stolen from Edo State government is recovered. When you convert $31 million to naira, it fetches you N7 billion. You can imagine what N7 billion will do in improving the human condition in Edo State.”

    Throwing light on the $31m fraud, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Abdul Oroh said: “The $31 million, which was stolen from the people of Edo State for the transaction, was designed clearly for criminal purposes. This project was called Avrant Cement Company, situated at Ekpe, near Ikpeshi in Akoko Edo Local Government Area.

    “The company was supposed to produce cement to take advantage of the large scale deposit of limestone in that part of the state. The company was registered as Abat Cement Company Limited. This company had three shareholders: Abat Cement Company had 75 per cent shares; the Edo State government had 15 per cent shares and 10 per cent shares were reserved for ‘other Nigerians’.

    “Although the Edo State government was given only 15 per cent share, 100 per cent of the revenue invested in the company, $31 million, was taken from the account of the state government. This money was withdrawn from the account of the state government under Afribank. As the money was withdrawn, the construction of the company started and all the major structures were in place: 90 per cent completed, machines were installed, but there was no other contribution from any other source for the construction and procurement of the equipment. So, everything invested in that company came from the Edo State government.

  • Edo 2016: Group backs journalists’ forum

    The Edo Consultative Forum, a non-political group, has pledged its support for the Esan Journalists’ Forum in its agitation for an Esan son to emerge as the next Governor of Edo State.

    Chairman of the group, Mr Gilbert Oboh made this known while briefing the press after its emergency meeting in Warri, Delta State.

    He further said his group decided to support the journalists, because of the reasons adduced by them on the need to have an Esan son as the next governor of Edo State which, he maintained, will ensure fairness and equity.

    He noted that other zones comprising Edo South and Edo North had, in the past, produced governors who spent the mandatory two terms as enunciated in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and as such, it is necessary that the Esan of Edo Central that has not produced a governor in the past 16 years, should be encouraged to produce the next governor of the state.

    His word: “A Benin man from Edo South in the person of Lucky Igbinedion ruled the state for eight years. After him, the reign of leadership became the lot of an Esako man from Edo North in the person of Adams Oshiomole, who is rounding off his two terms of eight years. For justice and fairness, it is only appropriate that Edo Central Senatorial zone should produce the next governor.”

    On the argument that Prof. Osunbor who incidentally had his rule terminated by the courts is from Edo Central, Oboh said he is piqued that certain persons could refer to that instance when it was obvious that Osunbor administration lasted for few months, and so could not have even be referred to in the first instance.

    Bemoaning the level of development and infrastructural decay in Esan land in spite of the abundant human and material resources, he accused those who had held sway in governance of paying little or no attention to the development of the area. He argued that if an Esan son becomes the next governor, it will afford Esan land the opportunity to catch up with other areas in terms of infrastructural development.

    He promised to join forces with the forum in actualising the lofty visions, especially the two days summit slated for next month that will bring Esan sons and daughters from across the country and in the Diaspora, to explore ways of enthroning one of their own as the next governor of the state.