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BENIN CITY AT NIGHT

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Edo: From a rural setting to a huge construction site
TUESDAY, 29 JUNE 2010 00:00 CAJETAN MMUTA
Heavy duty vehicles everywhere. Youths, hitherto unemployed, now gainfully engaged by the various construction companies. Thick forests now opened up for the rural folks to transport their goods to

cities. That is the story of Edo State, transformed into a huge construction site as Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole takes giant strides to touch the lives of many previously-neglected rural communities, writes CAJETAN MMUTA

Before the emergence of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as Edo State governor on November 2008, residents of the South-South state had a story of pain, agony, disillusionment, despair and disappointment to cope with, occasioned by decades of criminal neglect, marginalisation and deceit by previous administrations.

But today, in less than two years of governance, the former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, has put a smile on the faces of the people, especially the rural folks who were not taken into consideration in the developmental plans of past administrations.

To him, the office of governor must be used to touch and change the lives of the people and he believes that when the various communities are linked with roads, their economy is integrated into the national and state economies.

In all the sectors of the economy, education, tourism, health, water, electricity and the civil service, the Oshiomhole-led administration has succeeded in making a positive statement and Benin City, the state capital, is rapidly being transformed into a modern city from its unenviable status as a neglected ancient city while the King’s Square, with a musical fountain, street lights, modern roads with culverts, and walk ways crisscrossing the city centre to the outlets of Sapele Road, Akpakpava Road, Oba Market Road and the Airport Road, are unique features which has continued to elicit the admiration of the generality of the people.

Within the first year in office, the governor had concentrated development projects in the state capital with a promise that after the first year, the focus will be on the entire state which will be transformed into a construction site and true to his promise, no area of the state has been neglected in the construction of roads and provision of those basic amenities which were lacking in the past.

In addition to the road construction projects going on across the state, the governor recently flagged off the construction of four more road projects in Edo North and Central senatorial districts amidst pomp.

It was gathered from the visit to the villages that the rural populace in Edo State are overwhelmed with the rapid road transformation that is taking place in their communities in so short a time and they could not conceal their joy when bull dozers, tippers and heavy duty earth moving equipment moved to their area for the construction of roads hitherto abandoned.

The people are particularly happy because these roads, when completed, will link and integrate the remote communities with the city centres and thereby facilitate trade and development. They are now hopeful that there will be electricity, water, good schools and job opportunities for them.

The people have seen, for the first time, contractors that are very zealous in the execution of the job, which is apparently why there is now intense competition among the contractors who have been mobilised to site by the state government.

There is the assurance by the Comrade Governor that as soon as they can complete their job to specification, they will be entitled to other contracts in the state and that has made reputable contractors like Skaaf Construction Company, RCC, Hartland Construction, Borini Prono and Company Nigeria Limited, Servetek and a host of others working day and night to complete their assignments for which they have already been paid.

For example, one of the contractors have assured the governor that though it was stated in the contract that the project would be completed in two years, but they would ensure that it is completed in one and a half years and they have commenced work even before it was flagged off.

When the Comrade Governor and his entourage went to flag off the construction of the 5.5km Iyamho-Iyora Road in Etsako West, the 10 km Ivbioghe- Igiode-Uzanu Road in Etsako East, the 22 km Igarra –Ososo Road transversing eight communities in Akoko Edo and Irrua-Ugbegun Road in Esan North East, they met despondent communities who for no fault of theirs were completely alienated from civilization as they lacked basic requirements of life which should have been provided by the government.

The people came out in their numbers to welcome the governor with optimism that their sufferings would soon be over and like the governor assured them, though government will not be able to provide all that they need at once, but concerted efforts would be made to meet them.

To start with, the administration has commenced the rehabilitation and construction of the roads that will enable the people who are mostly farmers to get their farm products from the hinterland to the cities.

It has since been discovered that the past governments deliberately abandoned such roads so that there will be no access to the communities by electoral officials during elections and this will afford politicians and their godfathers to continue to rig elections at their rigging centres.

But, Oshiomhole, in his campaign to ensure that every man’s vote count in subsequent election, has made it one of his cardinal agenda to open up the rural communities to enable the people in such remote communities who have never seen a ballot paper until now to make them exercise their franchise. In his words, the road network is also to defeat rigging of elections

The governor had recalled that, while growing up at Iyamho, they used to walk down to the next village of Iyora and then life seems impossible considering the stress and difficulty they went through to move things from one village to another.

To him, flagging off the construction of the road was a unique day in his life and for both communities because with the construction of the Iyamho-Iyora Road, apart from the commercial activities of the movement of goods that would become easier, the relationship between them would be strengthened.

To him, the reason the village people are poor is because they are not integrated with the cities and they lack educational institutions.

He, therefore, promised in all the places visited that secondary and primary school in the area would be rebuilt this year, saying that any government that could not provide education for the young ones is doomed, restating the commitment of the administration to reposition the entire state.

The mood at Uzanu In Etsako East Local Government Area was thrilling when the governor went there to redeem the promise he made during the launching of his electioneering campaign there and they were particularly happy that the governor had come in so short a time.

According to them, they were not in any way surprise because of his pedigree as a successful trade unionist and labour leader. The people of Ivioghe, Igiode and Uzanu communities said they were exceedingly grateful to the Comrade Governor for flagging off the construction of their road which successive administrations had failed to do it.

They maintained that they have had so many people in government and none of them deemed it necessary to come to them, but despite the difficult terrain, only Comrade Oshiomhole had taken this bold step.

They thanked the administration for the construction of bore hole at Igiode, renovation of Igiode Secondary School, the on-going construction of Ayogwiri-Apana-Imiegba-Okpekpe Road, comprehensive rehabilitation and fencing of the General Hospital, Agenebode, awards of MDGs projects like construction of boreholes in Iviukhua, Iviukwe, Afokpella, Awuyemi and Imiakebu, as well as the proposed establishment of fertiliser company at Ivhiegbepui and for attracting a river port to Agenebode.

In Esan Central, where Oshiomhole flagged off the Eguare-Usugbenu, Irrua-Eguare-Ebudin Ugbegun- Izogen road, the community disclosed how a section of the road was last tarred in 1963, some 47 years ago.

Though various administrations promised the people severally in the past that the road would be constructed but they all failed.

It was therefore not unexpected that some skeptics had entertained some doubts for obvious reasons when Oshiomhole declared on March 3, 2010 that he would personally flag off the construction of the road. But those who knew the Comrade Governor well were optimistic that he would keep faith with his promises.

The Irrua-Ugbegun communities bubbling with excitement that the road construction was being flagged off in an address presented by former Commissioner of Finance, Clement Ehebha, stated that the road, which cuts across several communities in two local government areas, would link Ebudin-Ugbegun, the farthest point to the local headquarters at Irrua.

“When completed, our people in Eguare-Idimobo(Ebudin) and Ugbegun will not need to transverse three local government areas to reach their local government headquarters at Irrua. We are just too excited that this administration is making history in the whole of Edo State not just because of infrastructural developments but moreso because of the audacity in type, style, size, number and spread of these projects,” they added.

It was the same story of jubilation in Akoko Edo Local Government Area where the governor flagged off the 22 kilometer Igarra-Ososo Road which has been in a state of total disrepair for over 20 years.

The Otaru of Igarra, Oba E.A Saiki II, recalled that the road, popularly called, Akoko Edo Ring Road which links about eight communities or towns is one of the most important roads in the local government area and yet it has been the most neglected road by the previous administrations in the state.

“It is our pleasure that within these few months that your administration came on board, you have so readily decided to flag off the rehabilitation of this all important road to the admiration of the people of Akoko Edo local government area. You have proved that really you are the Peoples Action Governor whose developmental stride in Edo State is unequalled”, the traditional ruler said.

He also used the opportunity to express the appreciation of the people of Akoko Edo for the various appointments given to sons and daughters of Akoko Edo origin, saying that: “We are overwhelmed with joy that with the flag off of the rehabilitation today, the message is clear, namely that all hands must be on deck to pray for and support the administration of the Comrade Governor who is the messiah of the people of Edo State”.

The governor was particularly praised for having the will power to open up the rural communities and the contractors handling the projects have also made their commitment to involve the indigenes of the various communities by training them and providing job opportunities for them, thereby creating a lot of economic activities for the people.

In appreciation of the fact that Akoko Edo has suffered lots of marginalisation both in the civil service and physical development in the past, Comrade Oshiomhole disclosed that two permanent secretaries have been appointed assuring that before the end of his tenure more would be appointed.

“We are tacking marginalisation from all fronts” the governor said, adding that major schools would be built to international standard because, according to him, the weapon against marginalisation is education.

He noted that he has lived all his life on the side of truth and justice and, therefore, government must ensure that there is justice and fairness in all that is done

On the roads being executed now, he explained that they were selected according to how they affect more communities and was emphatic that every part of the state would get justice during his tenure because his mandate is to develop every part of the state.

http://www.compassnewspaper.com/NG/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=62029:edo-from-a-rural-setting-to-a-huge-construction-site-&catid=72:property&Itemid=710

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GOVERNOR OSHIOMOLE looking out into Benin at night
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Brand new Light changing water Fountains at Ring Road
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GOVERNOR OSHIOMOLE looking out into Benin at night
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Brand new Light changing water Fountains at Ring Road
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are you sure that this is Benin City...this place has no similarity to the Benin City that I visited.

if that is really the case, it would be fantastic:cheers:

are you sure that this is Benin City...this place has no similarity to the Benin City that I visited.

if that is really the case, it would be fantastic

It is Benin Lol. . . . Its the Handwork of the new Governor. .read the article below. .


Benin and its glittering water fountain

THE renewed Benin King Square in the Edo State capital, popularly known as Ring Road, has been demystified.
It used to be the stinky popular commercial hub of the ancient city. But today, it glitters like gold at night. Besides the intimidating illumination, the square in the city centre now has a water fountain, courtesy of the Edo State Government.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Mr John Mayaki, justified the renewed efforts to lift the square, which was home to questionable characters in the years past, from its squalid state.

He said: “There are no monsters hiding in there again. Our inability - even refusal - to do anything about it all these years was the monster.

Having promised to spare no efforts to enhance the socio-economic wellbeing of the people of the state, Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who on inspection of the ongoing construction of the musical water fountain at the museum ground, expressed delight with the level of work so far executed. The light has been switched on to the admiration of the public.

“This is part of government's commitment to enhance the aesthetic condition of Benin City and other parts of the state. It is similar to those in Europe. It is the first of its kind in the West African sub-region. Water from the fountain rises as high as 100 metres. It is not only laden with musical sound, but would emit different colours.”

Before now, Ring Road was a paradox and a nemesis all to Benin. Although more or less a melting point that had provided over decades sundry materials for the visual arts.

The square was the place with no bedtime, and, therefore, no time for waking. It used to be one bedlam of confusion before Oshiomhole came into office. It was also characterised by filth and almost everything indecent under the earth.

Traders, motorists, pickpockets, rapists, street urchins, the homeless and other characters were always there with different missions.

It was never a question of Benin trying to accommodate Ring Road but of the all-important road accommodating Benin.

Before the present transformation, while traders hustled to sell their wares, motorists sweat profusely inside their vehicles in the usual traffic gridlock, occasioned by the lawless tuke-tuke bus drivers picking passengers in the middle of the road, the street hawkers thrust their wares at passers-by, all created a confused atmosphere.

But Oshiomhole did vindicate himself in no uncertain terms, when he began his sanitisation programme in the Ring Road area with a final and definitive stroke that left no one in doubt of his seriousness.

Firstly, to bring sanity to Ring Road and get rid of its notoriety, the demolition squad of the state government swooped on the area and at the end of the operation, kiosks, shanties and other illegal structures were knocked down. This gave the road a new lease of life.

In the place of crime-infested area, a new-look Ring Road sprang up, making many people who had sworn never to have anything to do with it eat their words.

Today, most people passing through or having to transact business on the road and at the square, either in the day time or at night, have refreshing stories to tell.

Today, while Ring Road is illuminated at night and the square flaunts its fountain, street lights dot the entire stretch of the adjoining streets, such as Oba Market Road down to Ekenwan Road, Sokponba Road and Akpakpava Road, among others.

Besides, major work is ongoing on Airport Road and Sapele Road and those transiting from Ring Road to these adjoining roads are having smooth rides.

Even as the crowd surges in different directions, in seamless motion, no one is looking at the other person with suspicion in the night again.

Mayaki added: “The state government would never have succeeded in this feat, if the ordinary people had not supported and given their voices to it.

“The first lesson to be learnt, of course, is that most people want good lives, and the majority will always stay behind a government that delivers the better life they seek.

“This public approval, therefore, provides the moral courage the leader needs to execute his plans. Without courage, of course, the evil and corrupt institutions that have held our nation bound in poverty and chaos cannot be felled.

“The second has to do with consistency, which is the major factor by which a leader acquires the trust of the led.

“The Oshiomhole-led government is merely pursuing welfare programmes, rehabilitation and reinstitution projects with as much tenacity as it pursues improvements in the landscape and structural frameworks of Benin City and that is where its greenery project comes in and the water fountain inside the Museum.”

Oshiomhole was reported to have told the large crowd of admirers who thronged the King Square to catch a glimpse of the water fountain, radiating beautiful colours, of the need to give the necessary assistance to the government in the transformation of the state.

http://www.compassnewspaper.com/NG/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=62223:benin-and-its-glittering-water-fountain-&catid=42:commune&Itemid=796

if every Governor or senator had thought of the people all these years....it would have been a different story now......things would have been far better.

For God sake Why would a senator be earning 1.2million dollars a year? The president of the United states dont earn this much.

Because the government of Nigeria is in a unique position where it gets direct funds from buisness, in this case oil as suppose to other government who derive most revenues from tax. So in a sense, if you own a buisness, you decide what you get paid as suppose to if you are an employee where what your are paid is determined for you. The Nigeria government thinks the amount they get paid individually from money they make from what they see as their buisness (oil) to be no bodies buisness. This goes against what you see in other countries where the government is employed in the buisness of running the country by it's people, so they can't just get paid any thing. What they get paid is determined by the people or system.

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Oshiomhole expresses satisfaction with quality of work on Benin Storm Water Project

Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has expressed satisfaction with the quality and pace of ongoing work in the Benin Storm Water Project, even as the Contractor handling the Central Hospital, Benin City has assured that the project would be completed by July, next year.

Oshiomhole who stated this at the weekend while inspecting ongoing work at the site, said “when this project is completed, gully erosion in the area will be a thing of the past”.

“You can see how deep it is here. It is about 6.5 metres deep that is almosttwo-storey building. By the time it gets to Ogba River, it may be about twelve metres deep. So the problem of flood in this area would be gone” he added.

The governor disclosed “we are going to cover the drain, so that the people of this area will be safe and because it is deep it is going to flow. We are also going to construct a lot of the adjoining streets, Uwelu road,Akugbe Roads will be done”.

Comrade Oshiomhole expressed optimism that when the project is completed, “this place will become one of the most beautiful places in Benin City.

“I did not quite appreciate what the depth of the canan was going to be. What gives me joy is that people are appreciative. People now realize that at the end a solution is there. No more agonizing. Now we are able to fix it. We can give the people the confidence that they can look forward to the raining season. Well done and keep up the good work. We assure you of prompt payment when you complete the work”, he said.

The governor who also inspected the Central Hospital, Benin City was assured by the contractor that work on the project would be completed by July 7, next year.

The Governor also inspected ongoing road work and drainage on other roads completed includingUselu/New Lagos Road, Ibviye, Uwa,Iheya and third Cemetery.

http://www.cityflavourmagazine.com/?p=9289

it is nice

Oshiomhole is a heroic govenor!