BENIN CITY- Following what they described as life changing interventions, the people of Edo Central and North Senatorial Districts in Edo State, have commended World Bank, European Union (EU) and Edo State Employment and Expenditure for result (SEEFOR) for creating youth employment as well as improving the general economic well being of the people in the areas.

The people, however, appealed to World Bank and European Union for more of its interventions in their localities, pointing out that ,the intervention projects no doubt has impacted on the lives of Edo residents meaningfully.

The people stated this during a 2-Day Edo SEEFOR/FADAMA/CSDP projects inspection across Edo Central and North Senatorial District by journalists.

Some of the projects visited are: Osetohanmwen SEEFOR/FADAMA intervention Farm, Government Science and Technical College in Usugbenu-Irrua, Bishop Ekpo street in Uromi, Skill Acquisition Centre in Igarra, 3.2 km Ogugu township road and electrification, Udaba-Ekperi Rice Farm, Electrification and open stores at Ekpedo Community.

Speaking with Journalists at the newly renovated Igueben town hall, in Edo Central Senatorial District of the state, Hon. Peter Ogun, said before the coming of SEEFOR/CSDP, the hall was almost abandoned following its dilapidated nature.

While commending World Bank and EU for bringing what he described as modernity to the town, Hon. Ogun, appealed for more World Bank and EU interventions in the area.

At Uromi, headquarters of Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State, Pastor Thomas Oseghale, said that the lockup stores built by SEEFOR/FADAMA is helping farmers of his Onosemudiana Corporative Society to store their farm produce as well as other goods of members of the corporative.

He said that the intervention project has boosted their businesses, alleviated their sufferings, hence, he sued for more World Bank and EU projects in the locality.

On his part, Abdumalik Audu, resident of Avielle town in Edo North Senatorial District said the construction of reinforced concrete drain and asphalt overlay/kerbs of James Street has eased the road movement problem in the area.

Also speaking, Robert Akande, a resident of Ogugu town said that prior to the intervention of World Bank, EU and SEEFOR, Ogugu township road was not motorable, noting that farmers were unable to transport their produce out of the community owing to the poor state of the road.

“The construction of 3.2 km Ogugu township road by Work Bank, EU and SEEFOR has really helped to open Ogugu to other neighbouring communities.

Related News

“We thank World, EU and SEEFOR for coming to our rescue and we will like to appeal for more of this intervention especially in other areas.

Speaking with Journalists at the end of the exercise, the Project Coordinator of Edo SEEFOR, Mr. Toju Onaiwu, said the project has attained significant achievements and has impacted on the lives of residents through its interventions.

He stated that through SEEFOR, 32 access road with a total length of 38.220Km across the 5 Local Government Areas in Edo Central, adding that 3,597 youths and 32 graduates in the district have been empowered through its small public works scheme.

Onaiwu disclosed that 110 SEEFOR/FADAMA users groups were empowered, just as through its corroboration with CSDP, 19 micro-projects were completed in the areas of school, Town Hall, open market as well as primary health care renovations.

He said: “Renovation of Government Science and Technical School, Irrua, procurement of equipments for 5 accredited courses, and accreditation of 5 courses by NBTE as a result of SEEFOR intervention”.

Commenting on Edo North projects, the state SEEFOR Coordinator, said through its Small Public Works, 41 access roads, with a total length of 29.137Km have been created across the 6 Local Government Areas of the District.

He revealed further that 4,827 youths have been empowered through through its Small public works engagement, while 41 graduates were empowered.

While maintaining that 176 SEEFOR/FADAMA user groups were empowered, Onaiwu, said that 53 micro-projects in the areas of School, Town Hall, Open Market, Primary Health Care, Electrification and ICT have been completed in Edo North through SEEFOR/FADAMA collaborations.

On TVAT he said: “Renovation of Government Science and Technical School in Igarra, procurement of equipments for 5 accredited courses, and accreditation of 5 courses by NBTE as a result of SEEFOR interventions.

“Renovation of Government Science and Technical School, Afuze, procurement of equipments for 4 accredited courses, accreditation of 4 courses by NBTE as a result of SEEFOR intervention, renovation of Skill Acquisition Centre, and procurement of equipments in Igarra.