BENIN CITY- Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has advised the people of the State to make conscious effort to secure and ensure the cleanliness of road and drainage projects constructed in their communities.
Speaking to residents of Erediauwa community in Benin City on Wednesday at the site of on-going construction of several roads at Erediauwa axis in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, Governor Oshiomhole said: “Benin is the only city in Nigeria that is formally called, ‘Benin City’ because it was very well planned but because of many years of neglect, the city became known as the ‘Ancient City’ of Benin. But we appreciate our culture, our ancient status but in the 21st century, we also want Benin to join the club of digital cities by ensuring that we build roads and as you can see, unlike any previous attempt, every road we are doing in this city, we ensure that it has drainage, that way, the road will last long.
“The only appeal I want to make to you as the Odionwere is to counsel your people to ensure that this drainage, they don’t convert them to dumpsite for wastes. So that when it is rainy, you will be enjoying the rain and see the flood water flowing into the river. It costs a lot of money to build drain and you see, these are concrete drains. Some other people use 6 inches cement blocks which will not last. This will last for many years, more than 30 years.
“So, you need to help us to educate the people. When government has done its part, then the people take ownership. It is your own and I am sure with this kind of roads now, the value of properties here will go up.
“One other thing is that, we want to keep Benin City clean. Once we have done a road like this, help us ensure that everybody sweep the front of his house so that the city will be beautiful and all of us will be proud of it. I think it is important that our people realize that in other part of the country now, people are struggling even to receive a quarter of salary. Now, we are paying our workers up to date and we are still working. We are doing quality work, so I want our people to understand this.”
He continued: “The reward for good work is more work. More and more people want us to transform their neighborhood like this and we will try because that is why we are there because you are there. We will also try in line with our policy, any area that we have reclaimed like this, to try and resource permitting, sooner or later to put street lights so that this area can be lit up.
“When you travel around the world, you will see that a city usually looks more beautiful at night than day time because of the lighting system. If we continue to rebuild various areas like this, we transform that area and put street light, over time, if this is sustained for the next 10, 20 years, every government comes and builds new areas, the entire city, the night economy will be back and our young people will look forward to have recreation and stroll around. Those who are students can go to library, read and come back without fear because even robbers are afraid of the light. They do better when it is dark and I believe that God willing, we will find solution to our power problem and once that happens, our people will be proud. And thank you for your support and on my part, I will give my all to Edo people because Edo people have been very generous to us in prayers.”
According to Oshiomhole: “I am happy that the job is progressing and the last time it was just the earth work but now, we have done the asphalt and am sure you will enjoy the next rainy season.
“We are doing our best and we thank God. In many part of the country now, people are wearing long faces because no salary, no work, no nothing but we are small, we don’t have much money, but we have enough brain. If you have the brain, you can think of how to get things done and I am happy to see this project going on but even more happy that they are people oriented projects. We are deliberately looking at communities that have been abandoned for many years, maybe because there is no big man in the area. I also come from an ordinary forgotten rural area and so, I understand and when I see how happy people are, me I am also excited.
“So, by the grace of God, before the next rain starts, this job that they are doing would be completed and you will have a new community where our kids can play and when it is rainy, you are no longer going to be afraid of flood water coming to your house. I believe if we sustain this kind of programs over the years, Benin will regain and become the real Benin City it was, some 50, 60 years ago.”
“As you can see, we are doing this job, not because I am re-contesting election, we are doing it because it is the philosophy of my party, the All Progressive Congress that government must work for the people, whether there is money, there is no money, a government must never lament. The Governor must inspire his people by ensuring that when things gets tough, that is when the tough get going.
“With you on our side, we have the energy and the renewed commitment to continue to work. All I beg of you is that these projects are your own, the resources we are using are your own. So when we build the roads and build the drainage, protect them. The elders should counsel the young ones and the young ones should be the soldiers ensuring that those drainages are not blocked. Don’t put sachet water in it and don’t put wastes in it so that you don’t block it up. If you block it, the money we have spent is lost. So that when it is rainy, you just cross legs and enjoy nature. you are not going to be afraid because flood water is coming to the house. It is your job; it is your state; it is our country, together, let us sustain the agenda of taking Edo to the next level under the All Progressive Congress government in Edo State,” the Governor said.
On arrival of Governor Oshiomhole, the residents of Erediauwa community unanimously and spontaneously stormed the streets, chanting songs of praise, commendation and best wishes for Governor Oshiomhole on account of the laudable on-going construction projects in their community.
An elder in the area, Mr. Igun Sunday Joseph said, “I put you in the board of my prayers and that prayers will bounce you to the top. Everybody that is supporting baba Oshiomhole. I am older than you but you are a baba. We were born a king to serve. Of all you have been saying in the television, I now know that you will do this place 90% before you go so that the next person who is your choice and our choice will complete it.
Also speaking, Nathaniel Imadomiye said, “My Comrade Governor, we are very happy with what you have done here. This is Erediauwa that had been abandoned for years. If you go to the front there now, it is just like a pond, when there is a little drop of rain, the people there would be shaking. We are very grateful to you sir. If you could spend another 8 years again in power, we would have been very happy.”
He continued: “This legacy that you have started sir, God almighty is looking at you and you will reap it in future and your generation yet unborn.”
