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Tag: Obaseki

  • Edo athletes protest non-payment of allowances

    Edo athletes on Tuesday shut the gates of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, venue of the state’s training camp for the 19th National Sports Festival (NSF), against their coaches and other workers at the sports arena.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the athletes were protesting against the non-payment of their two weeks’ camp allowances.

    NAN reports that the protesting athletes, in their hundreds, prevented workers and other staff of the stadium from gaining entrance into the arena.

    The athletes said that they have been in camp for two weeks, training without the necessary facilities, feeding and transporting themselves to and from the stadium, for the morning and evening sessions.

    The athletes, who all joined in the protest, said they would no longer train for the sports festival, until their outstanding camp allowances were paid.

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    NAN reports that following about an hour of consultations between the athletes and the Edo Director of Sports, Sunny Airende, the athletes agreed to back down on the protest.

    Airende, who later addressed them, assured the athletes that efforts were being made to pay their outstanding allowances.

    He said although the money had been approved, it was yet to hit the camp, from where it would be withdrawn.

    According to him, “I am with you in this. Your camping allowances is not the only issue affected. As we speak, the state is yet to pay the participation fee for the festival.

    “Government officials had to rally round on Monday to raise some money for the advance team to travel on Tuesday, to make arrangements for accommodation, as well as pay the participation fee.

    “All I can assure you is that your camp allowances will surely be paid before you depart Benin for Abuja on Wednesday.’’

    NAN reports that the state is expected to be represented at the festival with 350 athletes.

  • ANED berates Obaseki over row with BEDC

    ASSOCIATION of Nigeria Electricity Distributors (ANED) has berated Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki for his treatment of Managing Director of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

    A statement by ANED’s Executive Director for Research and Advocacy, Chief Sunday Oduntan, said the body was displeased with Obaseki for ordering BEDC’s MD out of his office when the House of Representatives Committee on Power visited him.

    Obaseki accused the managing director of “failing to meet obligations to electricity consumers in the state”.

    The statement reads: “What is most unfortunate about the whole episode is that there is a misunderstanding about how the power sector works and this has led to the governor’s unfair expectations from BEDC. I cannot also rule out with the upcoming elections and everyone looking for scapegoats, that local politics may be involved in this case and that is unfortunate.

    ICYMI: Obaseki walks BEDC MD out of his office for throwing state into darkness

    “The state generates over 600MW and as such should not be encountering power supply challenges. However, he needs to understand that the power generated at Azura or any other power plant in the country is first sent to the national grid from where it is redistributed to different DisCos for distribution to customers.

    “Benin DisCo is only entitled to nine per cent of the power sent out from the national grid, so it is clear that the DisCo does not have the power to retain the 600MW generated by Azura.

    “More interestingly is the fact that over 40 per cent of this nine per cent is distributed within Edo State as the host community of the DisCo. The other three states in the franchise area – Delta, Ekiti and Ondo – share the remaining 60 per cent. You can see therefore that Edo State enjoys the lion share of what the DisCo gets already. To allocate more to Edo – which is what the governor is advocating for – will be grossly unfair to the other states.”

    Oduntan also said it was unfair to attack a DisCo on record as having the highest number of prepaid meters in the country all to ensure customers get value for their money as well as end the practice of estimated billing.

    An earlier statement by BEDC said the company had completed plans to give out more prepaid meters from the first quarter of 2019 under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) programme of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to further accelerate the metering of consumers.

  • Power supply: BEDC not doing enough, says Obaseki

    • Edo gets 40% of power allocation, says BEDC

    Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki yesterday asked the  Managing Director (MD) of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Mrs. Funke Osibodu, out of his office for failing to meet obligations to electricity consumers in the state

    The incident occurred when Obaseki received members of the Federal House of Representatives Committee on Power led by Hon. Daniel Asuquo, who were in Government House, on a visit. The governor took the action because the BEDC boss’ was not listed as one of the expected guests to Government House.

    Speaking to the delegation after Mrs. Osibodu had left the gathering, the governor, according to a media statement from his office, said the BEDC has continued to fail in collaborating with the state government to provide stable electricity in the state, instead the company has posed as an obstacle to meeting the goal.

    “BEDC has been an obstacle all the way. They will not provide electricity and will not allow you to get alternative sources of power. The state will not allow it,” the governor said.

    In a reaction, BEDC said it does not want to join issues with the government, but said the DisCo “remains a responsive and responsible distributor of electricity across the franchise states of Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti committed to serving its customers better.

    “In addition, it is on record that out of the nine per cent allocation that BEDC gets from the national grid, Edo State gets above 40 per cent, while the other three states share the balance. We intend to continue to work towards ensuring that various bottlenecks across the power value chain are eliminated to the benefit of our customers in all our franchise states.”

    BEDC said it would continue to support the good people of Edo State in ensuring that an enabling environment that will create jobs and improvement in the lives of the Edo citizens is sustained.  It should be noted that Edo State has the highest number of prepaid meters all over the country and with the introduction of Meter Asset Provider (MAP) by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory omission (NERC), we shall further accelerate the metering of consumers with effect from first quarter of 2019 when the scheme is expected to kick off, in order to rapidly reduce estimated billing.

     

    As a stop gap on the recent reduction in power supplied to Edo State on some feeders in Central Benin, arrangement was made to connect customers on the affected feeders to existing functional ones in a manner that would not overload the system and to provide supply albeit on limited basis, pending when normal supply will resume after the replacement of the repairs of the faulty transformers.Several announcements have been made on locations affected. We expect normalizing of the situation soonest.

     

    We encourage customers to make use of our existing Customer Complaints Channels when there are issues/complaintswhilst we look forward to serving our customers better.

  • Obaseki presents N175.7b budget

    •Education gets priority

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has presented a budget proposal of N175.7 billion for the 2019 fiscal year to the House of Assembly.

    The proposal has a Capital Expenditure of N95.8 billion and Recurrent Expenditure of N79.9 billion. It has a 9.20 per cent nominal increase from the 2018 budget.

    Education got the lion share with N26.8 billion, representing 15.3 per cent of the total proposal while infrastructure got N42.719 billion. The health sector got N1.7 billion for primary healthcare reforms.

    Christened ‘Budget of Socio-Economic Inclusion’, Obaseki said it would propel the people closer to the Edo of their dreams after weathering the shocks from different economic headwinds in the last two years.

    The governor said his administration intends to keep prioritising capital spending to demonstrate his commitment to fortify the economy and Edo people for sustained growth.

    He added that the revenue estimates for the 2019 budget is based on a $60 per barrel bench mark for crude oil at an average daily production of 2.3 million barrels per day, as well as an increase in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) because of reforms in revenue collection in the state.

    According to him, the state has taken steps by building an army of digital teachers to prepare Edo children for the new age of education characterised by the far-reaching impact of technology.

    The governor said N3 billion has been proposed for Edo big ticket projects such as the Benin Industrial Park, the Benin River Port and Edo Modular Refinery Project.

    Obaseki said: “We have proposed N26.8 billion, representing 15.3 per cent of the total budget size. It will cater for needs in basic education, which will take N6.4 billion. This will deepen the reforms in the sub-sector, provide quality and reliable basic education and prepare our children for the future.

    “Our efforts at expanding the state’s economic base will receive a major boost this year as we plan to spend N7.007 billion on investment promotion, which will help bring to fruition our investment initiatives…”

  • Reconstruction of 140 roads: Obaseki mobilises contractors to sites

    EDO State Governor Godwin Obaseki has increased roads to be rehabilitated in the state to over 140.

    Contractors have been mobilising men and equipment to new locations to continue reconstruction.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy Mr. Crusoe Osagie said new areas where contractors were carrying out reconstruction included Jemila Street, Ohovbe Road and Lawani Junction, by Urubi Street, Benin City.

    Osagie listed other roads as Yoruba Street (drain rehabilitation); Sokponba Road; Aburime Street, off New Lagos, and Delta Crescent, off Ikpokpan.

    He added: “The state government is clear with its instructions to contractors on how the reconstruction is expected to be delivered in line with the report of roads audit recently.

    “We will not take any chances in ensuring that roads in deplorable condition are fixed during the dry season. We have over 140 roads where reconstruction work is being carried out.”

    He added that reconstruction on Boundary Road and Commercial Avenue as well as Ogbelaka/Evborhan, Yoruba Street and Dumez Road, Ugbor-Amagba Road, was on course.

    “At Edo Central, reconstruction has reached appreciable stage in Mousco-Ukpenu Road, Ekpoma; Irrua-Uromi Road; Secretarial Road, Igueben; Union Bank Road, Igueben and Uwenlebo Road, Ekpoma, among others.”

    The reconstruction is coming in the wake of an audit of roads a few months ago, with which the government assessed the level of deterioration of roads.

  • Obaseki gives disabled rapper Razaly N10m

    Physically challenged Edo State rapper, Razaly, has won for himself N10m courtesy of Edo State governor Godwin Obaseki.

    The governor was among those wowed by his performance at the just concluded Alaghodaro 2018 concert and he donated N10 million to Razaly to assist in opening his record label.

    “My administration will support talents,” he said.

    “We want the world to know that there is ability in disability. The N10 million is to enable him establish his label and promote his music.”

    Obaseki also said that plans for a 30-hectare Television Village in Okhoro, Benin City to attract investment in Nollywood are in the offing. He also promised that N250 million will be allocated to boost the creative industry in the state’s 2019 budget.

    The concert was organised as part of activities to mark his administration’s second-anniversary.

    “We have been trying to fix roads, health care and education sectors over the past two years,” said Obaseki.

    “We want to build an entertainment hub. We have a 30-hectare premises in the Okhoro axis of the state for this purpose and it will have investments from Nollywood.

    “We want to give youths jobs and entertainment. There is hope for talented youths because we have artistes from the state, who are succeeding and making waves in the entertainment industry.”

  • Second batch of PUWOV members undergo intelligence gathering

    In a concerted effort to instil professionalism and discipline in the operations of the Public Works Volunteers (PUWOV) in Edo State, another batch of the organisation’s officials is undergoing training at the Police Training School in Ogida, Benin City, the state capital.

    The training is coming barely two weeks after the first detachment of 100 PUWOV members began training, which includes courses on intelligence gathering, relations with security agencies, managing sensitive security information and general security training.

    Coordinator, PUWOV, Mukhtar Yusuf-Osagie, in a chat with journalists, said that the state government has deployed another batch of PUWOV members to the school to undergo the same training modules.

    According to him, “We are very impressed with the kind of training that members of PUWOV are getting. In a matter of weeks, members of the public are going to testify to the change that we are instilling in them. They are going to be more courteous and engage very professionally with members of the public.”

    He noted that the training programme is part of  government’s drive to add more than 5000 new members of the PUWOV scheme, stating, “the scheme is going to complement the work of security agencies in the state. We are going to be helping in intelligence gathering and other related security functions so as to combat crime and other social nuisance in the state.”

    He said the training includes courses on intelligence gathering, relations with security agencies, managing sensitive security information and general security training, noting, “We are confident that after this, the team will be well positioned to carry out the mandate given to them by government.”

    Recall that Yusuf-Osagie earlier said that the Governor Obaseki led-administration plans to reposition the scheme through manpower training to equip the volunteers in the scheme with the right skills and attitude to deliver on their duties.

    The volunteers, he added, would be deployed to gather intelligence in their local areas, noting that 250 volunteers were recruited into PUWOV in 2017 to assist in restoring law and order in the state.

    The state government has reached an agreement with the Nigeria Police Force to provide requisite training on community policing to the volunteers to prepare them to discharge their tasks effectively and help fight crime in the society.

  • Obaseki backs Oshiomhole against Amosun, Okorocha

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki spoke yesterday on All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole’s quarrel with some governors.

    He said some governors were opposed to Oshiomhole because of the change the chairman was introducing to the party.

    “What Oshiomhole is doing is to institute a regime of change where nobody is above the law,” he said.

    Obaseki, who spoke  in Benin City at the Church of God Mission during a thanksgiving service to mark his second year in office, did not name any governor, but Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun and Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha have been locked in a bitter row with Oshiomhole over the party’s primaries.

    Many Nigerians under the Buhari-led administration are now afraid to commit crimes because of the repercussion, Obaseki said.

    The governor said Nigerians would soon begin to feel the impact of “the fundamental changes” President Buhari was making.

    “Some of the fundamental changes started by Buhari/ Osinbajo will manifest shortly. For the first time people are now afraid to do wrong,” he said.

    Speaking on his style, Obaseki said intaed of dashing people money he would rather invest massively in infrastructure. The governor said he would also support people to grow their businesses.

    He said his administration had commenced the training of 4,000 youths to boost security in the state, adding that a new security architecture would soon be unveiled.

    He said: “One key element is that whatever we do must affect the people. We are stretching our limited resources to work for the people. We will spend money to work for the people.”

    Oshiomhole has been at loggerheads with  Okorocha, who is pushing for his son in-law to be the party’s governorship candidate.

    Amosun is also not pleased that his candidate for the party’s ticket did not get the prize.

    Oshiomhole said he would not help Okorocha to build a political dynasty. He pdescribed Amosun as an “emperor” for initially choosing candidates for various offices in disrespect to the primaries supervised by the National Working Committee (NWC).

    Oshiomhole, also yesterday, denied meeting with party stalwart Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in London

    There were reports at the weekend that the chairman met with Tinubu in Europe over his (Oshiomhole’s) interaction with the Department of State Services (DSS).

    But speaking with reporters in Benin City after attending the interdenominational service to mark Governor Godwin Obaseki’s second year in office, Oshiomhole said there was no reason for him to go to London to see Tinubu when he could easily see him in Lagos.

    He said he had unhindered access to Aso Villa to see President Mohammadu Buhari.

    The chairman said:  ”What am I doing in London? Why will I go to London to see Tinubu when I can see him in Bourdilon (Ikoyi, Lagos)?

    “What are the issues between him and me that we are to resolve in London? The leader of the party, President Buhari, I have access to at the Villa all the time. I don’t need to go to London to see my leader through the Queen.

    “The truth is that once a news reporter succeeds in preaching one lie, he is obliged to preach several lies to sustain the one lie.  Some of the media, having allowed opposition to misuse them to fake news, they now feel obliged to faking more news but I am here and I am fine.”

    Speaking about the grievances of some aspirants, Comrade Oshiomhole urged them to learn from President Buhari who contested for President three times without losing hope.

    He said it was impossible for all contestants to win at the primaries

  • Why some governors are against Oshiomhole – Obaseki

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Sunday declared that some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress were against his predecessor and National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole because of the change being it introduced to the party.

    Governor Obaseki stated that Oshiomhole is trying to instill a regime of change where nobody is above the law.

    Obaseki who spoke  in Benin City at the Church of God Mission during a thanksgiving service to mark his second year in office said many Nigerians under the Buhari led administration are now afraid to commit crimes because they know there would be repercussion

    The Edo Governor said Nigerians would soon begin to feel the impact of what he termed fundamental changes President Buhari is making.

    Explaining why he does not give money to people anyhow, Governor Obaseki said he would rather invest massively on infrastructure than give money to people who make any impact.

    Governor Obaseki said he would also support people to grow their businesses or ideas instead of dashing money out.

    He said his administration has commenced the training of 4000 youths to boost security in the state adding that a new security architecture would soon be unveiled.

    He said, “One key element is that whatever we do must affect the people. We are stressing our limited resources to work for the people. We will spend money to work for the people.

    “ Some of the fundamental changes started by Buhari/ Osibanjo will manifest shortly. For the first time people are now afraid to do wrong.  What Oshiomhole is doing is to institute a regime of change where nobody is above the law.”

    Speaking earlier, Bishop Margaret Idahosa who described Obaseki as ‘talk na do’ governor said he has changed the state within two years in office.

    “Looking at what is going on in the state where allocation is little but Obaseki is making a big difference.”

    Edo State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Bishop Oyonude Kure, urged Obaseki to tackle insecurity and fixed roads in the state.

    He recommended that private school teachers should be trained in the Edo BEST Programme so that pupils in private schools would at par with those in public schools.

  • Obaseki rewards 33 EDSTMA officials for dedication to duty

    …approves automatic promotion, N250,000 cash reward for each official

    EDO State governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has approved automatic promotion for 33 outstanding officials of the Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDSTMA), who have shown commitment, dedication and diligence in discharging their duties. Obaseki gave the approval while rewarding the 33 selected outstanding EDSTMA officials, who he said have given their best to ease vehicular and human movements in the state. The governor, who was visibly elated over their elevation, said his administration and the people of the state were proudly delighted at the new EDSTMA and its officials. According to him, “You have won the hearts of the people through the new approach to traffic management, and despite various provocations you receive daily from motorists and pedestrians, you have remained resolute and displayed unquestionable character. Many of you have displayed diligence while discharging your duties.” He noted further that the process was transparent as both the management and the people of Edo State recommended the officials through various reports which were followed and investigated. Obaseki said: “From my observation, almost all of you are good officials except a very few who choose to do otherwise, but actions are always taken when complaints come. “As a government, we are going to recruit additional 250 EDSTMA officials before the end of the year to further ease some of the challenges faced by the agency. “Today, we are rewarding those of you who have been outstanding in your duties. I have been advised that all of you should be promoted to the next rank and step, to motivate you and stimulate productivity in your field. I say thank you for making us proud as you are one of our success stories as we celebrate two years in office. Each of you will get N250, 000 and hopefully, this would motivate you to put in your best.” The governor explained that he has received report and proposal to install traffic lights across the Benin metropolis as well as Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras to curb violation of traffic, adding: I wonder why some people would disobey traffic lights (signs) when as a governor, I obey it.”