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Tag: Governor Godwin Obaseki

  • How I made Ambrose Alli best state varsity in Nigeria, by VC

    The Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, founded 34 years ago has always been in the news for wrong reasons. It is an institution whose lecture rooms used to be called ‘poultry houses’.

    Before now, the school is known as advanced secondary school because of infrastructure deficit in the school. The administrative building of the school that was started over 15 years ago is yet to be completed even as the institution still battles to pay salaries.

    During the last strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the university management had to force lecturers to return to work as the school was going broke because it relied mainly on school fees to be able to pay salaries. Last year, Governor Godwin Obaseki described the AAU as an institution that is still crawling and heavily politicised.

    Governor Obaseki, who spoke while inaugurating the Governing Council of the institution headed by Mr. Lawson Omokhodion, said it was worrisome that AAU was reduced to an institution driven by pure political agenda.

    He said: “We have reduced our premier university to one driven by pure political agenda. That cannot be the fate of our ivory tower.

    “We spend over N300 million monthly on the university and we are ready to put more money on infrastructure but we will not do so until we are convinced that government’s arrangement for the university is the right one that can properly manage the resources.

    “One of the first things you will do is to work with us to set up a visitation panel to review and understand what went wrong in the university. As a government, we will give you all the support that is required. We spend N300 million every month on that university. They claim they have more than 20,000 students. We have invested on infrastructure and we will do more but I believe the faculty and the people responsible for managing the university should do more.

    “I have confidence that this new board can turn around the the fortunes of the university. The government is ready to spend more money on infrastructure but we will not until we are sure that the resources we put in will be well utilised.”

    Earlier this year,  Chairman of AAU-ASUU, Mr. Monday Igbafen, an Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy, asked the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ignatius Onimawo, to account for the about N5.5 billion received from TETFUND and NEEDS Assessment intervention funds.

    Prof. Igbafen alleged that the university has received more than N3.4 billion from TETFUND and N1.2 billion from NEEDS Assessment.

    But Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Ignatius Onimawo, in a chat to mark his three years in office said he has changed the narratives of AAU. He said he has made AAU the best state university in the country based on his vision and mission.

    Prof. Onimawo said his deployment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) helped to stop issues of sorting, missing script, non-payment of school fees as well as crisis arising from the conduct of Student Union Election.

    Prof. Onimawo, who debunked reports that he told Governor Obaseki that he could run the school without subvention said there are so many things he wants to use money for.

    “How can I tell the state government that I have enough money? It is not true. I cannot say that. Do you think I am happy using this office? The state government is aware we have been requesting for more subvention. I live in my personal house because we don’t have a Vice-Chancellor Lodge. We need a lot of things. We need a lot of money; I could not have said the state government should not fund us. If I get more funding, I will build a stadium and tar roads.

    “When I was appointed, I made up my mind on what I want to achieve. I have my vision and mission ready. I have achieved my mission of making AAU the best state university in the country.

    “We introduced computer-based test for 100 and 200 level students and that eliminated the issue of missing results. Sorting and payment for marks stopped and it brought sanity to the system. No state or federal university has been able to do that.

    “In the past, it was difficult to collect school fees in this school. This method has helped us to collect school fees as the examination portal will not open without school fees receipt. ICT also helped us to have seamless presentation of results.

    On the allegation by Igbafen on the use of TETFUND and NEEDs Assessment, the V-C  said he had executed over 33 projects with the funds within the last three years. He stated that he put an end to “poultry houses” in the institution by accessing intervention funds that has been lying fallow for three years.

    “AAU has suffered infrastructure gap here. Many of the buildings were called “poultry houses.” There is no V-C Lodge and my office is not befitting. Any blue roof you see here was built by my administration. For the projects I helped to complete, I did not use blue roof.

    “In terms of infrastructure, we have changed the face of AAU and we are still working. Many buildings here used to be called “poultry houses” but we have put an end to that. It is through the grace of God that we are succeeding. If you put God first, everything will work out,” he said.

    Prof. Onimawo also debunked reports that he is running from the police authorities over a petition written by Prof. Igbafen who was suspended in February over alleged sexual harassment.

    The V-C said there was no truth in the allegations that he refused to honour police invitation because he could not produce copies of the petition upon which Igbafen was suspended and therefore should be arrested for forgery.

    He said: “Igbafe is saying the police is after me. I laughed when I read about it that we should be arrested for forgery. I went to the Commissioner of Police when I was informed about the petition. I showed the Commissioner the letter written by one Engineer. In the letter, they accused me of covering up the report that indicted Prof. Igbafen. It threatened to drag me to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Allied Offenses Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). I had to minute on the letter to Igbafen and he replied that something like that happened many years ago and the matter was concluded. He said he believed that the people that wrote the letter were after me.

    “The Registrar brought the report and he was indicted. The report recommended that he should be arraigned before the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee for further disciplinary actions. He was accused of sexual harassment. The panel found him culpable and they said he was accused of gross misconduct and abuse of office.

    “We wrote back to him to debunk his allegation. We placed him on suspension until he is cleared and hell was let loose. He went online and all media to castigate me and my family. He dragged my wife into the matter; saying I promoted her from a typist to lecturer I.

    “The police have concluded their report. The girl and the mother testified before the police. The girl said she lost job opportunities for five years. Igbafen locked up this girl’s result in his locker and travelled abroad. We have been keeping quiet. Since he wants to dance naked, we will let the world know what happened.

    “A first letter that came from one lawyer said they didn’t send anybody to write the first letter but that does not exonerate Igbafen. This matter is no longer between the family and Igbafen. It is now between the university and Igbafen because it is against our ethics. Igbafen was given fair hearing. “

  • Revenue collection: Edo repositions councils for service delivery

    Before January 1, 2017, the 18 local government areas in Edo State were in wretched state. The total monthly revenue generated by the local governments was a paltry N30 million. It was a usual sight to see local government workers and pensioners in the streets of Bénin-City protesting non-payment of salaries and pension arrears.

    What made the councils broke was simple. The revenue collection was in the hands of private individuals. It was used as political patronage for party leaders who pay peanuts to the councils’ coffers.

    It, therefore, became difficult for elected council officials to execute projects as the allocation from Abuja and the paltry IGR could not pay salaries and pension. The individuals collecting the revenue were seen as major determinants to securing victories during elections. So, they were regarded as sacred cows.

    On January 1, 2017, Governor Godwin Obaseki dropped a bombshell that shocked the All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders across the state. He banned the use of contractors for collection of revenue for both the state and local government areas, even as he insisted that government is capable of collecting its revenue.

    Before Obaseki announced the ban, he had asked his Deputy, Philip Shaibu, to head a committee on revenue.

    Shaibu met severally with various stakeholders and the so-called tax consultants and advised them on the need to diversify. He told them to bring their boys to be trained by the state government on the new system to be introduced. The tax consultants refused and thought the state government would not risk taking revenue collection from them.

    The Deputy Governor scouted over 900 boys who were trained as enforcers. Their duty was to ensure that market women, drivers and others pay the appropriate rates and levies.

    Governor Obaseki introduced e-ticketing and directed officials of local government to collect revenue. The e-ticketing yielded good results as daily income of over N500, 000 was realised daily from nine locations in Oredo against N42, 000 that was previously remitted by the private contractors.

    In Esan West, the daily revenue generated was between N68,000 and N108,000 daily but the new method increased it to between N1 million and N1.5 million daily. Oredo Local Government Area raked in over N40 million within the first five months.

    Currently, only six local government areas in Edo State owe salary arrears from between three and 12 months before 2017. The increased revenue has also made payment of retirees of local government to be paid promptly.

    Some councils such as Ikpoba-Okha can now pay salaries without waiting for allocations from  the Federal Government. Esan South East launched a transport scheme without borrowing money from any financial institution. The total monthly revenue of the 18 local government areas is above N220 million.

    Chairman of Esan West Local Government Area, Patrick Aguinede, said he looked forward to collecting N20 million monthly as IGR.

    “If I get N20 million monthly, why will I not construct roads? Why will I not make health centres functional? Why will I not provide basic amenities and pay salaries? My desire is to raise money to satisfy the people,” he said.

    Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Jimoh Ijegbai, a lawyer, said the chaotic system of revenue collection has been buried and would not be allowed to return.

    Ijegbai noted that the new system driven by technology has brought sanity and blocked leakages.

    He said: “We are witnesses to the chaotic system of revenue collection before now. Obaseki government is based on the rule of law where force is not allowed.  A system where they will beat people up to collect revenue is dead.

    “The first thing Obaseki did was to ensure a harmonised revenue collection law was passed in 2017. In January before the law was passed, the total monthly revenue collection for the 18 local government areas was N33 million. At the close of last year, it has jumped to over N210 million monthly.

    “It has brought civility in whatever we are doing. It is cashless policy and it is driven by technology. In four local government areas where we are now using scratch cards, we got dealers interested in partnering with the government. They buy the cards from government and go back and sell to the drivers. We eliminated leakages in the system. The merit of the new system is that it is more civil, blocks leakages and enhanced collection of revenue.

    “Across the 18 local government areas, you can see most of them doing very well. They are now embarking on development projects. Esan South East Local Government Area just floated a transport line without borrowing money from any financial institution. Ikpoba-Okha that was hitherto indebted has cleared all the arrears.

    “We have eliminated consultants in this new system. We don’t allow consultants collect our revenue. We now have enforcers who go out to ensure the scratch cards are actually used. These people are meaningfully engaged across the 18 local government areas in collaboration with road transport unions. We have eliminated double collections.

    “The governor made it clear that those who were collecting revenues before can fit into the new system. Those who want to learn are free. We are open; the government is transparent in its dealings. They are amenable to training. We did not bar anybody from keying into the new system. We want to be civil in what we are doing.”

    Critics of Governor Obaseki, especially those opposed to his second term ambition, said the disbandment of the private revenue collectors led to lots of job loss as boys hitherto engaged are now roaming the streets.

  • No vacancy in Govt House, group tells Airhiavbere

    The Etsako Solidarity Front (ESF) has told Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (rtd) to drop his ambition of contesting the 2020 governorship in Edo State.

    It said there was no vacancy in the Government House until 2024 when Governor Godwin Obaseki must have completed his second term.

    After a meeting in Auchi, headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area, the group said its support for Obaseki’s second term was because the state has witnessed silent revolution in infrastructural development.

    The President, Saidu Momoh, said there were underground plots by some persons to interrupt the state’s steady growth and development under Obaseki.

    Read also: Rivers AAC governorship candidate alleges threat to life

    Momoh said the group would mobilise the people to stop the plot as demonstrated in the just concluded House of Assembly elections.

    He said: “I think it’s time to make our position known that Governor Godwin Obaseki cannot be intimidated or blackmailed by anybody from contesting in 2020.

    “We are tired of this talk that he will not get his second term because he is not sharing the state resources to service professional politicians.

    “Obaseki has demonstrated purposeful leadership and we are happy with him. Edo people will continue to support him to ensure that there is sustainability of the people-oriented projects he has embarked upon which are visible to all.

    “As a body, we are ready to expose those plotting Obaseki’s ouster. It is time to remind them that Edo is not Lagos State. No man is God.”

  • Obaseki’s ‘4+4 loading’

    LAST Saturday, Sentry reported on the battle of wits going on in Edo State as the quiet but bruising war for the governorship seat of the state assumed a treacherous dimension. An advert headlined ‘4+4 Loading,’ published by the governor’s camp in The Nation newspaper penultimate Tuesday, is causing serious waves and giving would-be opposition to Governor Godwin Obaseki’s second term ambition sleepless nights.

    But the governor’s camp, which had thrown down the gauntlet as we reported last Saturday, is said to be energised by the development. Observers believe that the current development is only an indication of the shape of things to come.

    The governor’s chances of reelection are said to be getting brighter by the day as everyone in his cabinet is said to be rooting for it. Contrary to the expectations in some very high quarters, the cabinet members are said to have vowed to stand solidly behind their boss.

    However, Obaseki’s foes in the zone, among them APC members who held top positions in the comrade Adams Oshiomhole government, are poised for a fight. Some of them contested the governorship primaries in 2016 against Obaseki and still nurse grudges against him.

    What Sentry cannot say categorically is where Oshiomhole stands in all of this.

  • Edo production centre opens for business

    The building was derelict. It used to house the Edo State Printing Press. But for many years, the place was locked. Edo government had to look elsewhere for its printing job.

    Today the building located inside the Edo Magistrate Court’s complex on Sapele Road is wearing a new look. It was renovated not to be used as a printing press but to be the first production and processing centre for artisans, micro, small and medium enterprises as envisioned by Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    The Edo Production Centre would be a multipurpose, one-stop-shop for small businesses. share support infrastructure such as 24 hours electricity, security and low-cost financing to help boost economic growth in the state. The centre is being built in partnership with the Market Development for the Niger Delta (MADE) II programme, Benson Idahosa University (BIU) and the Des Moines Area Community College in Iowa, the United States of America.

    The 24-hour electricity supply will be provided from the Ossiomo power plant following the power purchase agreement with the Edo State government.

    Already, over 200 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have written letters of interest to establish their businesses at the Edo Production Centre. This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Physical Plan-ning and Urban  Development, Edorodion Oye Erimona, at a stakeholders meeting with MSME operators in the state.

    Erimona assured interested business owners that the centre would be a one-stop-shop for MSMEs to enjoy economies of scale and low cost of production.

    Those that have indicated interested in the centre, according to Erimona, are furniture makers, cobblers, welders, bakers, polythene makers and a number of other interested small business owners.

    According to him, “This centre will accommodate MSMEs while the Benin Industrial Park will host big industries. The electricity for the center will be drawn from the Ossiomo Power Purchase Arrangement. Pollution in the environment will be minimal as the businesses will be MSMEs.”

    Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the governor on Skills Development and Job Creation, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, said major renovation work has been done ate centre which necessitated the meeting with stakeholder to keep them abreast of the progress on the project so that they can key into it.

    She said there would be live-in desks for relevant government agencies to engage, support and provide services to small businesses at the centre, noting that the agencies to be hosted are the Bank of Industry (BoI), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Edo Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), among others.

    According to her, “A month ago, the governor came to inspect this facility, which will be used as a multi-purpose production centre. We have commenced renovation of the facility. We have done the electrical work and we are working to make this place habitable. The idea is to make sure that by the time the project is completed, it will be used by everyone in the target group.

    “The Edo Production Centre is a space where small manufacturing and production businesses can take advantage of constant power supply, advanced training facilities and a space to do their business.

    “We realised that typical skills acquisition programmes need to be revamped to create lasting impact and provide viable paths to prosperity for youths. So, skills acquisition in Edo is currently delivered alongside entrepreneurship and business management, start-up acceleration, digital marketing and branding programmes.

    “Artisan groups to benefit from the project include welders, furniture makers, tailors, aluminium fabricators, shoe manufacturers, wood processors and so on,” she added.

    A member of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Comrade Valentine Asuen, said the incentives which the Edo Production Centre offers will enable businesses run at minimal cost adding that what discourages small business operators in most cases is the cost of rent and power.

    “We are confident that when the centre starts taking in people in the next few weeks, things will turn for the better for entrepreneurs in the state. The centre will run on power that is independent of the national grid. The stable power will spur expansion of businesses.

    “At the last meeting we held with the representatives of the state government, we were assured that the centre will host different businesses such as furniture makers, cobblers, welders, bakers, polythene makers and a number of other interested small business owners. In a matter of weeks, it will become easier for customers to have access to different products to be manufactured at the centre.”

    Governor Obaseki on his part said several production and processing centres would be set up across the state. He said the second processing centre which is located inside the Government Science and Technical College, formerly Benin Technical College (BTC), would be launch in September.

    Obaseki explained that arrangements have been completed to get uninterrupted power supply to the facility while the Magistrate Court within the premises would be relocated.

    “The power contractor has assured that within the next fortnight, they will provide electricity for the Production Centre.  We should be relocating the court houses to the various local government councils,” he said.

    “I am looking for other facilities in Irrua and Auchi to create more processing centres. The centre will have facilities that artisans and small and medium scale enterprises will utilise to grow their businesses.

    “We are reviewing the companies and we are making arrangement on how people from the state can be trained to provide the needed skills for the companies that will operate at the park.

    “We are encouraging people to invest in the state so that your skills will be in high demand.”

    Obaseki further assured that efforts are being made to “expand opportunities for micro-credit of single-digit interest rate for women to encourage entrepreneurship and boost disposable income while improving the quality of lives of the beneficiaries.”

  • Obaseki’s EdoFAC excites farmers

    Farmers in Edo State have expressed delight at the vast opportunities in the Edo State Food and Agricultural Cluster (EdoFAC) in Ehor, Uhunmwode Local Government Area, set up by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration in the state.

    A cross section of the farmers and produce aggregators commended the state government for the initiative and urged the governor to extend the structures at the center in Ehor to other parts of the state so as to cause a revolution in the state’s agricultural sector, such that subsistence farmers would have a system to mop up their produce.

    The EdoFAC facility at Ehor has existing aggregators who buy farm produce such as cassava, plantain, yam, pineapple, meat among others in large quantities from the farmers and distribute them to different parts of Nigeria.

    The facility also organises training for youths with a focus on agriculture, providing them with classroom and office space as well as accommodation.

    One of the farmers, Mr. Philip Osaze said that the state government has been very responsive to the needs of farmers which resulted in setting up of the EdoFAc, noting that the location was strategic as it allows for ease of transportation for those bringing in their products and those taking theirs out.

    According to him, “We are indeed delighted at how the EdoFAC runs. It has provided farmers in the state ample space to expand their production. This will contribute to the state government’s food security policy.

    Mrs. Uwa Igbinovia, an aggregator, said that the Ehor facility is a one-stop-shop for agricultural innovation, and has provided the platform for aggregators to engage with farmers and negotiate favourable prices for produce, whereby all parties are farily treated.

  • Obaseki’s Ward Devt. Committees: Expert lauds initiative

    The Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration’s creation of ward development committees in identifying and providing tailored solutions to peculiar problems in rural communities in Edo State has been lauded as novel and a participatory approach to governance that will engender robust grassroots-driven development.

    The submission was made by a development expert in a chat with journalists in Benin, the Edo State capital.

    According to the expert, the development model will ensure that projects and development efforts by government “do not fly over the heads of the people, but align with their peculiar needs.”

    The development expert, who has done extensive work on development trends in Sub-Saharan Africa, Wilfred Aisosa, described the government’s Ward Development Committee as a bottom-to-top approach to governance, aimed at spreading developmental projects and improving the wellbeing of the people.

    He noted that governor Obaseki’s governance style would deepen people-centered development.

    “This is a new paradigm in governance, which I recommend for governments across all levels to adopt. Just like what we have seen Governor Obaseki doing, where instead of government imposing projects on people, the people are given the latitude through their representatives in the Ward Development Committees, to submit a list of felt needs.”

    He continued, “The only reason why development has remained elusive in most developing countries especially in Africa for decades, is simply because the people are not allowed to make input into projects executed for them.

    “So, what you end up doing is having projects here and there, which are not in line with the needs of the people.”

    Aisosa added that the approach adopted by the Edo State Government will take governance directly to people at the grassroots, “where the people themselves will decide on the projects they think will benefit them the most.

  • Rapist, wife beaters… Run from Edo

    Edo State government has begun move to open a register for convicted sexual offenders that would be made open to members of the public. The opening of the sexual offenders register is sequel to the signing into the law the Violence against Persons (VAP) bill by Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    The VAP law is meant to address all forms of violence and protect vulnerable members of the society.

    Governor Obaseki signed the bill into law on Tuesday, the day Speaker Kabiru Adjoto presented the bill to him moments after First Lady of the State, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki led other women groups to protest violence against women and vulnerable persons in the state.

    What prompted the protest was a viral video which showed one Favour Ada Friday, a 24-year old girl being beaten and raw pepper inserted into her vaginal  on the allegation that she stole a phone worth N450,000 belonging to one Joel Otoghile. Some of the suspects involved in the case have since been charged to court.

    The protesters including the Nigeria Bar Association, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and other women groups walked through the streets of Bénin City to the Edo State Police Command and the Edo Government House.

    At the police headquarters, Chairperson of FIDA,  Barr. Iryn Omorogiomwan, urged the State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosun, to ensure investigations are expedited so that all the suspects are convicted if found guilty.

    Barr. Omorogiomwan urged the CP to create Special Squad to stop jungle justice as being seen in various trending video. She said it was worrisome the rate at which men rape their children and people molested without recourse to the law.

    Edo Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Prof, Yinka Omoregbe, said the protest is to tell the CP that they don’t want the case against those that brutalised Favour to be thrown out of the court.

    “We don’t want the police to mess up the investigation. We are committed to justice. We want to ensure justice is done.”

    The Police CP assured the women that proper investigation would be carried out to arrest all the fleeing suspects. He told them that the law would take its course even as he declared that preliminary investigation showed that no phone was missing.

    Addressing Governor Obaseki before the bill was presented,  Omorogiomwan said the VAP bill answered all agitation by women and children.

    She urged Governor Obaseki to assent to the bill for all forms of barbaric acts in the state to stop.

    Mrs. Obaseki in her speech said she was pained when she watched the viral video of what she termed degrading treatment meted to one of our daughters.

    According to her, “This act had been described as barbaric, cruel, evil, wicked, satanic and most degrading. This is a crime against women, the world over. It is indeed a crime that shocked human conscience and cannot be tolerated by the people and Government of Edo State.

    “The VAP bill eliminates violence in private and public life. The content of the Act of rich in its provisions as it  of the prevalent forms of violence in Nigeria today ranging from physical, psychological sexual, harmful traditional practices and sócio-economic violence. It punishes offenders and provides effective remedies for victims.”

    “This Act is s response to current challenges of the people. It punishes wide range offences such as rape, gang rape, inflicting physical injury on a person, forceful ejection from home, forced financial dependence or economic abuse, forced isolation or separation from family friends amongst others.”

    Governor Obaseki, who signed immediately assented to the bill promised that  it was not a formality but would be implemented to the  letter.

    “We will not stop here by just signing the bill into law, but will commence the much difficult work of implementing it to the letter. It must be noted that this bill has been in consideration for over six to eight years but the time has come for us to have a law like this VAP Law, to protect the most vulnerable and weak in our society.

    “As a government, we have aligned with the Federation of Women Lawyer (FIDA)’s purpose and objective and therefore have no hesitation in signing the bill into law.

    “I want to appreciate FIDA for their doggedness, leadership and commitment to this cause. I am not sure many other states in the nation have such bills. This bill goes to the core of some of the most pressing issues in society particularly violence against women and other persons.”

    Speaker Adjoto, told the governor that the newly signed VAP law would eliminate violence in private and public life.

    “This bill prohibits violence against all persons and provides maximum protection and effective remedy for victims and punishment for offenders and other related matters,” he said.

    “This bill was sent to the EDHA in the fourth Assembly but suffered a setback. It also suffered a setback in the fifth Assembly but it was passed in the sixth Assembly.”

    Adjoto explained that rape was properly defined in the bill and a rapist will now spend his or her life in prison.

    ”If a man beats his wife, he risks two years in prison if the case is proven. It is now an offense for men to abandon their duties of upbringing as the responsibility is not for women alone.  Female genital mutilation now attracts life imprisonment without an option of fine.”

  • Edo to constitute COC for road projects

    To ensure road contractors adhere to specifications in the bill of conduct quantity and jobs delivered in record time, the Edo State government has said it will constitute the Community Oversight Committee (COC) to serve as a third-party monitoring group.

    Members of the committee are to be selected from the communities where the roads are located. The COC would be assisted by members of the Civil Society Group and Public Works group made up of young engineers to be deployed across the state to monitor road projects.

    This was disclosed by Governor Godwin Obaseki while flagging off construction of 1.3 kilometres of road and 1,800 meters of drainage, spanning across three streets in Uzebu, Ogiekae Community and Ekehuan Road axis in Benin City metropolis.

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

    Obaseki also flagged off construction of 1.5km road in Oghoghobi Community in Ikpoba-Okha LGA and 1.7km road project in Ogunwehi Community in Oredo local government area.

    The road projects being constructed in collaboration with the in collaboration with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and State Employment and Expenditure for Result (SEEFOR) were part of the 100 roads awarded for construction and reconstruction across the 18 LGAs of the state.

    Represented by his Chief of Staff, Chief Taiwo Akerele, Governor Obaseki assured the communities that the roads would be completed and delivered within three months.

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

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

    Edo State Coordinator, SEEFOR, Mr. Toju Onaiwu, said the road projects in Oghoghobi and Ogunwehi communities include construction of drainages to control flood water.

    He urged the benefitting communities to continue to support the Governor Obaseki led-administration to continue to reap more dividends of democracy.

    The contractor handling the construction of Jemide Drive, Ibizugbe and Osamwonyi streets, Engr. Micheal Dottie, promised to do the job according to specification.

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

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

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

    At Oghoghobi Community His Royal Highness, Kingsley Omorose, commended the state government for the road project saying it would provide access to the West African Examination Council (WAEC) Computer-Based Centre in the community.

  • Edo Poly Usen to unveil Centre for Geospatial Information Science

    As another testament to reforms in higher education driven by Governor Godwin Obaseki in the state, the Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, has concluded plans to unveil the Centre for Geospatial Information Science (CGIS) a research and teaching unit that will utilise computer software and tools such as geographic information systems among others, to gather information for use in mining, agriculture, urban planning and health care.

    The centre will be unveiled on Thursday, February 7, alongside the institution’s third public lecture titled: Geospatial Technology as a Tool for National Planning and Development, to be delivered at the school complex by 11am, by Director, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr. Halilu Ahmad Shaba.

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    Rector of the institution, Prof. Abiodun Falodun, in a chat with journalists, said that the centre is one of its kind in Nigeria and will provide training and consulting services in the area of geographic information system (GIS) and other remote aerial technology sensors to gather geographic information.

    According to him, the centre is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities which include eBee RTK Survey-Grade Mapping Drone; STONEX S7 Handheld GPS; Electronic theodolites; GNSS receiver; AO plotter; LEICA DNA 10 Digital level; STONEX S10 DGPS, among others.

    He said the CGIS will train specialists to produce maps, tables, reports and other such materials using GIS technology and will offer short and extended courses on deployment of advanced technology in mapping and managing geographic information.

    According to him, “this is the second centre we will be opening at this institution in a space of three months. These are all testaments to the support of the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, who has ensured that we truly push the frontiers of knowledge and capacity building.

    “We are repositioning this institution to be a centre of excellence in a number of areas and geospatial information science is one of the. The required equipment is already in place and we have a well-equipped laboratory also. So, it is not a matter of just opening a centre.”

    He added that the centre will help in providing solutions to immediate and remote challenges in geospatial information science in the Niger Delta and beyond, as well as provide first-grade learning experience to students in the School of Environmental Science in the polytechnic.