Orhionmwon – With the recent inauguration of a 15-man committee by Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki to screen potential political appointees that would be selected from across the 18 local government areas of the state, some indigenes of Orhionmwon local government area have urged Obaseki to pick only persons that would serve the interests of the people into his cabinet.
The indigenes in their separate reactions, noted that Orhionmwon has not fully harness it human and capital resources, saying the area yearns for selfless representatives that would further drive its socio-economic development.
According to them, the committee headed by prof Dennis Agbonlahor should do a thorough background checks on those to be selected from Orhionmwon.
Recall the governor during the committee’s inauguration in June maintenaned that, it has passed the stage where people just come into government for the sake of it, adding any appointee is coming for a purpose as they must be equipped to deliver on that purpose.
“Even if you are going to be there for just three to four years, so that is the import of this purpose. We have gone round the state; we’ve asked wards and local government to submit nominations.
“We’ve collected names, we’ve received protest from some areas how it was done, how people were happy or not happy, we’ve received all of these and we’ve passed them on to you.
“To first check, the information they gave us are correct, do they have the qualifications, you interact with them and advise us, you believe whether were we are going, these people can help us deliver on our mandates.
“You make your recommendations and we then look at those your recommendations, then we select those we need to select, we are running a very transparent selection process,” the governor told the committee
According to the National President of Orhionmwon Students Union, comrade Osaretin Omo-Egharevba, “track record of accountability and transparency” should be a major criteria the governor must look out for in the appointees.
Omo-Egharevba apt on the need for the governor to appoint proactive orhionmwon indigenes that has experience in leadership and volunteerism with lobbying skills and stakeholders engagement.
“One who know the history of Orhiọnmwon as history is a clear compass for future projections, one who knows Orhiọnmwon’s history is sure not to make the same mistake her past leaders made.”, he added
Also, the immediate past publicity pecretary of All Progressive Congress (APC) in Orhionmwon, Roy Osariemen said the persons should be selected base on their “developmental interest” for the state and local government.
“They must be individuals with impeccable characters, with a track records of humility who are intelligently disposed to divergent views on the appropriate means in joining the governor achieving his campaign promises”, Osariemen, the chief press secretary to immediate past local government chairman of Orhionmwon, Silvester Okoro added
On her part, a primary school teacher in the local government, Mrs Osunde Osarugue urged the governor to “carefully appoint” indigenes from Orhionmwon that must be residents of the area.
“someone who is educated and know what he or she is there for. Someone who will put Orhionmwon first in everything”, She added
The Prof Dennis Agbonlahor-led committee is expected to submit its reports on or before Thursday July 15, 2021.
