…Back Arrest, Prosecution of Perpetrators
…List 18.4km Road Projects in Edo Central
Political leaders from Edo Central Senatorial District including commissioners in the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration have condemned the attack on the governor’s convoy by sponsored thugs, distancing the Esan people from such callous conduct.
The condemnation was contained in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Cooperatives and Employment, Hon. Emmanuel Usoh; Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Mrs. Magdalene Ohenhen; Commissioner for Education, Hon. Emmanuel Agbale; Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Osagie Inegbedion; and Commissioner for Infrastructure, Hon. Osahon Amiolemen.
According to them, “On the 20th of August, 2018, His Excellency, the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, visited leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo Central Senatorial District, comprising; Esan Central, Esan North East, Esan South East, Esan West and Igueben Local Government Areas of Edo State. The visit was convened for leaders of the party to interact and review the progress report on governance by the Obaseki-led administration in the last one (1) year and half in the state.
They said, “To our dismay, and regrettably, some unscrupulous and misguided persons, acting on the instructions of their sponsors became unruly. We wish to state and in very clear terms too, that Esan people are not what was presented by the unguided youths in Irrua on Monday, August 20, 2018, whose sponsors are still stuck with the outlawed practice of engaging young unsuspecting youths to negotiate political offices.”
They described Esan people as “responsible, decent, hospitable, loving, hardworking and have achieved so much in all aspects of human endeavours. We therefore condemn in strong terms, the ugly incident perpetrated by these unscrupulous persons in the name and particularly, on behalf of Esan people at the party secretariat of the APC in Irrua on Monday, by throwing stones at the car/ convoy of the Governor of Edo State.
They explained that “infrastructural development of Edo State since Governor Godwin Obaseki assumed office is unprecedented, noting that the infrastructural projects so far initiated and completed, with some ongoing, in Esan Land include 21 roads with a total length of 18.4km through which 2,680 persons have been employed.”
The road projects, according to them, include asphalt overlay on the 1350-metre Ikinago Ujosanle Road, in Opoji, Esan Central Local Government Area for which 580 persons were employed; 960-metre Idumbhokale/Ekhomu Street, Eguare Irrua; 626-metre Eson Street, Eguare, Irrua and 600-metre Ohue Ogene Street, off Idumebo road, Irrua, in Esan Central.
“In Esan North East, the projects include asphalt overlay/drain construction/kerbs on the 600-metre Efadion College Road (Oyeribhor), for which 360 persons were recruited directly; 580-metre Deeper Life Bible Church Road, Uromi and 600 metres Bishop Ekpo Street, Uromi.
“In Esan South East, the projects are asphalt overlay on the 875-metre Otokimhi-Ugboha Road, for which 420 persons were engaged; drainage construction/laterite filling on the 875-metre Otokimhi-Ugboha Road; asphalt overlay with kerbs on the 990-metre Idumagho Road Okaigben, Ewohimi; and asphalt overlay/part drainage construction/kerbs on 1000-metres Ataga Road, in Ubiaja.”
The commissioners added that “in Esan West local council, we have the asphalt overlay/drainage construction with kerbs on the 805-metre Oxford Road, Idumebo, Ekpoma, for which 420 persons were engaged; asphalt overlay/kerbs on 550-metre GT Road, Ekpoma; asphalt overlay /drainage construction on 640-metre Eseigbe Street Behind Enojie’s Palace, Ekpoma; and asphalt overlay/drainage construction/kerbs on 480 metres Agbi Street, Off Benin – Auchi Express Road.
“In Igueben Local Government Area, the projects are asphalt overlay on 800 metres Idumogo-Amahor Village Road, Amahor, for which 880 persons were engaged directly from the area; asphalt overlay/ drainage construction 750 metres, Okuta Road, Ebelle; asphalt overlay/ drainage construction 750 metres, Okuta Road, Ebelle; asphalt overlay on 1100 metres Palace Road, Igueben; and 1100 metres drainage constrction on Palace Road, Igueben.”
Other projects listed include the 1268-metre construction of concrete drain on Idumogo-Amahor Village Road; and 1120 metres Uhe Idumogbor Idumedo Link Road in Igueben.
They urged all Esan people to support the Obaseki administration which is committed to purposeful leadership through people-oriented reforms in all the critical sectors of the state, to ensure all Edo people and residents, actualise their dreams and aspirations.
