JUST IN: How Akoko-Edo Local Government Will Receive Special Attention Status- Olumide Akpata, LP Candidate.

By Joseph Otamere

Igarra, Edo State: Akoko-Edo Development Association (aka Akoko-Edo Forum) have hosted the Labour Party Governorship candidate, Mr. Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata, in its “Meet the Candidates” series – a platform for candidates seeking elective offices to lay out their plans for Akoko-Edo LGA.

Speaking at the well-attended virtual interactive session, which was capturec by Barr. (Mrs.) Mary Opii on behalf of Akoko-Edo Development Association, Mr. Akpata opined  that Akoko-Edo’s marginalization in Edo State and Nigeria is a critical issue that requires urgent attention and must be addressed head-on.

While maintaining his position on how he will focus attention on the LGA due to long neglect, the LP candidate said it is unimaginable that an LGA that has existed since the days of the old Midwest Region can be so neglected shows that it’s a systemic problem that requires special attention to bring the LGA to the mainstream of Edo State.

According Akpata, “I will bend over backward to ensure Akoko-Edo catches up with other parts of the state.” Furthermore, “I believe in justice and am particularly pained with the Akoko-Edo situation. I will champion the creation of more LGAs or LCDA if elected”. Akoko-Edo deserves “affirmative action” and intense intervention” to solve this systemic problem of underdevelopment and lack of representation in key positions in the state”.

When asked about the area’s palpable infrastructural and industrial deficits, he said Akoko-Edo will be given top priority in his massive industrial plan for the state, considering the area’s comparative advantage in mining and agriculture/agro-allied industries.

“This will curb the pervasive rural-urban migration in the area, as well as youth unemployment and crime. He said that we cannot watch our youth go into crime because of unemployment when we have vast land for agriculture and incredible scenery that can employ them in the tourism sector”.

When told that Akoko-Edo is the only LGA without a tertiary institution to which he admitted, it is alarming. He pledged that his administration would establish a tertiary institution, specifically ICT University in Akoko-Edo, within his first anniversary in government.

On the notion that politicians only make promises during electioneering and later disappear after being elected, the LP candidate objected to being lumped together with politicians without a second address. He promised to hold regular town hall meetings and move the government seat from zone to zone to feel the pulse of the people and be accessible.

He said: “I’m not a use-and-dump guy. He highlighted the experiences he gained from his years in the private sector and leading a big organization like the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) when asked if he could handle governance.

 “We shall bring the government to the people by moving government operations from zone to zone.” “Governor Otti is from the private sector and transforming Abia state into a new state”. Competence and willingness to do the right thing is what is required to make the desired impact, and that is what I bring to the table”,he noted.

A participant in the interactive session asked how he would finance his programs. He said the state currently receives huge revenue but is not well managed. “His government will develop innovative strategies for revenue inflow into the state coffers. If needed, he wouldn’t shy away from taking loans for specific projects to ensure the loan was recouped and reached the grassroots”.

The candidate said he cannot quantify the existential importance of adequate healthcare delivery in the state, which has taken a back seat under this present government. The fulcrum of his healthcare system is for every Ward to have an equipped and adequately staffed health center.

Barr. Akpata said further, “My plan is that within 10-15 minutes walk, there should be a primary health center” and make the comatose general hospitals functional to handle major health problems, particularly in rural areas, to stop people from traveling all the way to Irrua or Benin for ailments that can readily be treated at the general hospitals. Tied to this is the need for a government veterinarian for the area to avoid unexpected livestock epidemics and public health disasters.

Prompted to address the shortage of teachers and facilities in primary and secondary schools, the candidate lamented the deception of the current government to the people with the “oxymoron called EDOBEST.” “A situation where pupils learn sitting on the floor in a classroom with leaking roofs and no permanent teachers is unacceptable.”

To address the challenges of insecurity, gang violence, and cultism, we must get to the root of the problem, which can be blamed on bad leadership. “As governor, I’ll use sports, massive industrial development, and technical/ICT training to keep our youths engaged.”

According to him, with the deregulation of the power sector, the government will prioritize rural electrification to help promote the establishment of industries in those areas, which has security and economic implications in rural areas.

Mr. Akpata rounded out the interactive session by promising to revive the good old days of Brig. Gen. Samuel Ogbemudia and Prof. Ambrose Alli brought tremendous development to Akoko-Edo.