Edo’s 100 days,
not in gutters
By Tony Ikpasaja
Saturday, October 20, 2007
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•Osunbor
Photo: Sun News Publishing |
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Josef Omorotionmwan is not a Jew writing from far away South
Africa or Ethiopia, that he is so unaware about events in
his state. His criticisms of Governor Oserheimen Osunbor’s
100 days in office, though, not unacceptable, sheds more light
about man’s peculiar nature with change, particularly
when such changes are placed side by side varied interests
of some ambitious and desperate politicians.
In his article titled: ‘Edo’s 100 days in the
Gutters’ published in Thisday newspaper of Thursday
27th September, 2007, it sincerely represents his and not
other persons’ views about the new Edo state, may require
that he, either bridges the communication gap with his village
folks in Edo state or get news from the state. If he gets
closer home, he will surely have a rethink and redefine his
perception of Osunbor administration. Edo state is moving
on.
The idea about governance in Nigeria since 2003 is due process.
It is about the concept of governance based on rule of law.
It is also the hallmark of governance under the state government.
The rule of law is the only hope of survival for the common
man.
If Omorotionmwan did not see any good in Governor Osunbor’s
interventionist-actions in the roads in Benin City, even,
during the rainfalls and prefers to compare the cleaning of
gutters with Lucky Igbinedion’s attempt to dredge Ikpoba
river, which in real sense, is a Brook, one would begin to
fear critics and their motives, sometimes.
Well, it is on public record that he concurred with Igbinedion
on the Ikpoba river dredging project which gulped the taxpayer’s
N450 million. The project was revoked after series of interventions
from our fathers in the state who saw it as a Tom and Jerry
idea. Yet, the N450 million did not come back to state treasury.
The dream of making Edo state navigable from Atlantic Ocean
was best described as economic illusion and of no priority.
But Omorotionmwan says the Ikpoba dredging project was better
than what Governor Osunbor is doing to our dilapidated roads
which are being made ‘navigable’ to motorists
and the common man.
For citizens of Edo state, comparing the government of Senator
(Professor) Osunbor with that of Chief Lucky Igbinedion, which
the people prayed fervently to expire, is sacrilegious. In
just 100 days with Governor Osunbor, the state is breathing
some air of relief like in the days of Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia.
The 100 days advert was not primarily targeted at those living
in the state but for the likes of Omorotionmwan, who are not
in touch with events in his state.
No amount of adverts can illustrate the successes being achieved
by the administration of Governor Osunbor in 100 days because
it is also, about a new re-awakening; socially, morally, psychologically,
infrastructural and otherwise.
The desiliting of gutters, which many of Omorotionmwan’s
kind have taken to be derogatory, was pivotal to the developments
of roads. Most of us grew up in Benin City without knowing
that these roads ever had drainages and gutters. They have
been blocked for decades and no successive government took
steps to bring them to use by mere cleaning. The previous
government allocated and collected hundreds of millions of
naira for the cleaning which were never executed. The records
are there. Yet Omorotionmwan concurred.
Governor Osunbor, shortly after being sworn in on 29th May,
apparently with a blueprint before joining the guber race,
swung into action by re-introducing the monthly environmental
sanitation and cleaning of the blocked gutters. These cleaning
of the gutters have brought succour to the people and motorists.
The stagnant floods which hitherto, stayed on roads for days
after rainfall, thereby making them impassable, can now channel
into Ikpoba River. Not to talk of the health implications.
The story about the gutters were particularly amazing because
most of the pavements which served as parking lots for many
years, turned out to be gutters that are sometimes, ten feet
deep after the desilting processes of this government. Again,
the claim that, the cleaning of the gutters was a project
of the NDDC is a deliberate misinformation on the part of
the dear critic. There is a hidden intention with that story,
anyway.
Omorotionmwan chided Governor Osunbor for beating his chest
over feats which he said, could be achieved by local governments.
But he forgot that these councils, for eight years were held
down by the former Governor who merely deducted from their
allocations to pay for phony contracts allegedly executed
by family members and to fund birthdays and parties.
The question now is, what is wrong for local government councils
to contribute to the purchase of cars for our security agencies?
Today, Edo state is enjoying a crime- free atmosphere. Banks
and other businesses, now thrive unhindered while tourists
are trooping in, by the day. This sharply contrasts with what
used to be in the past, when banditry in the state made headlines
in international media.
About bullet-proof cars, the story I have as an insider may
interest you. In February this year, your friend and former
Governor Igbinedion purchased two bullet-proof cars at the
sum of N150 million.
By May, three months after, when he was handing over, the
two bullet-proof cars disappeared. They were among the various
items like spoons, curtains, air conditioners, wardrobes,
cars and many other items that got looted out of Government
House in Benin City.
My plea is for you not to join forces with those fighting
this government from exile and pulling whatever financial
muscles to make sure that our opposition, the Action Congress
get it’s way. The bargain is for their stolen wealth
to remain protected. Posterity will not forgive anyone that
joins in the fight against the development of Edo state, which
is the propelling force behind Governor Osunbor.
With several security reports of threats here and there, the
people of Edo state are not relenting in their prayers, so
as not to allow the desperate dreams of their enemies hold
sway.
Governor Osunbor, as a lawyer and Senator is a humble and
disciplined personality. His government is built on due process.
Perhaps, the events that have transpired since Omorotionmwan
wrote his piece are enough to convince him that it is rule
of law above others in the new Edo state. It is no more the
era of illegitimate acquisition of public assets or feasting
on public treasury. Those who did will surely account for
them.
A day after Osunbor took over as Governor, the court ruled
against the dissolution of EDSIEC by the previous State House
of Assembly.
But the new Edo State House of Assembly further passed another
resolution calling for the dissolution of the EDSIEC and the
amiable Governor does not have any option than to obey. That
is the story behind Omorotionmwan and other members of the
opposition’s allegation that court orders were being
flouted. It may serve us right to get a copy of the court
ruling and let the matter go to rest.
Mr. Tony Ikpasaja is Special Adviser to Edo State Governor.
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