By Iramofu OGB, Abuja…
A group, Rescue Edo Movement, REM, has chastised the Executive Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obasek for neglecting and impoverishing Edo people despite his promise of reducing the hardship that people have been faced with for some time now.
In a press briefing in Abuja led by its convener, former commissioner for Communication and Orientation under Godwin Obaseki, Barr. Andrew Adaze Emwanta stating that upon pledges made by the governor, he has failed to address the issues which directly affect them.
He maintained that right from time when Edo was known as Midwest, the state has never been this backward as it is under the present governor Obaseki saying the only way out is total call for rescue before the governor will plunged the state intp complete confusion.
Emwanta said: ” Edo State now operates a single tier of government, as what is supposed to be a democratically elected Local Government system in the State has been reduced into a bunch of glorified political appointees of the governor.
While other states in Nigeria are celebrating visible development in critical sectors, Edo State is experiencing visible underdevelopment in almost every sector.
” The only visible development is the renovation of the abandoned civil/public service buildings and the digitisation of the work environment of civil/public service offices within Benin City. Over fifty billion naira of Edo taxpayers’ funds was spent on this project, with only one foreign building contractor engaged in the entire exercise.
” Mr. Obaseki has no doubt set a new benchmark of underdevelopment within the subnational sphere in Nigeria, when the economy of Edo State is x-rayed without the aid of the propaganda lenses of his Alaghodaro summit organizers.
” The annual Alaghodaro summit has become a propaganda vehicle for marketing the fraud behind the underdevelopment of Edo State.
“It is a sad story of public funds being converted into private investments by the aid of publicly funded private consultants. The current state of underdevelopment in Edo can best be x-rayed from the angle of four out of the six thematic pillars of Governor Obaseki’s 2020 MEGA Agenda”, he noted.
Barr. Emwanta reiterated that the economy of Edo State has not attracted any major investment since 2020 when Mr. Obaseki launched his much touted and celebrated MEGA manifesto rather what they hear is that the governor is signing MoUs to bring in investments into the State via PPPs.
” The Ossiomo power plant that was one of such PPPs that were MoU-created supplied darkness to both its public and private subscribers for one whole week non-stop in the month of October this year. The reason for this ugly trend was due to the failure of the management of the power plant to pay for gas that was previously supplied.
” Edo Petroleum Refinery is another PPP of the Obaseki Government, whose economic and social benefits are only visible to the organizers of the annual Alaghodaro summit. The refining, marketing, and distribution of petroleum products from this PPP facility is one of the latest wonders of the world.
” No single local petrol or gas station in Benin City has ever purchased petroleum products in commercial quantities from this mystery or grotesque refinery that was partly built with Edo tax payers’ money”, he explained.
On the issue of zoning, he said it is the view of the Rescue Edo Movement that in the past, they have had a Benin(Edo South), Esan (Edo Central) and Etsako (Edo north) person elected into the office of Governor, without any form of marginalisation recorded.
” The seat of Government in our dear State is located at Osadebe Avenue in GRA Benin city. The following is the breakdown of how the governorship position has moved among the three major ethnic groups in the State.
” Prof. Ambrose Alli (Edo Central) 1979 – 1983, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia (Edo South) October 1983 – December 1983, Dr. John Odigie Oyegun(Edo South) January 1992 to November 1993, Chief. Lucky Igbinedion (Edo South) 1999 – 2007, Prof. Oserhiemen Osunbor (Edo Central); May 2007 to November 2008, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North); 2008 – 2016, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (Edo South); 2016 till date.
” Edo State is at a crossroads, looking for redemption. There are men and women of goodwill that the Almighty God has inspired to provide leadership for the people. We will search for a person who has what it takes to lift Edo State from its present state of arrested development.
” It is our considered and well thought-out position that it is time for electoral renaissance in Edo. We cannot be held down by the primordial fault-lines of the past. We will do everything that is possible, within the constitutional limits, to reclaim our State from the jaws of those who have swallowed it up.
” We will heavily discount the proposal for the 2024 guber slot to be ceded to a particular zone. We call on relevant authorities and stakeholders to provide a level play-field to all governorship aspirants. We should all emphasize competence, capacity, and pedigree. These and others should guide us to make the right decision in 2024″, he noted.
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