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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Edo State Governor Mr Godwin Obaseki empathised with the people of the state over the deplorable condition of federal roads in the state.
In a broadcast to mark the country’s 62nd Independence, the governor said “I empathize with Edo people over the impassable state of Federal Roads that crisscross our state. For commuters going through the Benin-Sapele Road, Benin-Agbor-Asaba Road, Lagos-Benin Road and the Benin-Auchi Road, I know the horrible and frustrating experiences you have been enduring.
“The Benin-Auchi Road, which is the backbone and main artery connecting all our senatorial zones and which connects Edo State and other southern states to the Northern part of the country, is the most appalling. It is regrettable that despite all entreaties, the Federal Ministry of Works has continued to treat us as if we are not part of Nigeria,” the governor stated.
“We have at several times embarked on palliative work on the failed portions of these roads but it is clear that what is needed is reconstruction work, which rests on the federal government who owns these roads.
“We, therefore, appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to make the reconstruction and rehabilitation of these roads a priority for the remaining months of his tenure in office.”
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The governor who also alluded to the general elections noted that 2023 is going to be a watershed moment for our country, as it will determine who will pilot the affairs of the country for another four years.
He appealed to all stakeholders to conduct themselves responsibly, by carrying on with their campaigns in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
“As we celebrate Nigeria’s Independence Day today, I urge you to be hopeful and remember that bad times don’t last forever. Continue to play your part to make Nigeria prosperous again and by the Grace of God Nigeria will overcome its present challenges,” Obaseki added.
Noting that the task of nation-building has been daunting these past six decades, Obaseki said “despite our several challenges as a nation, we have held strongly to the belief in one Nigeria and have held together as a nation.
“One achievement that we can continually be proud of is that since 1999, we have been able to sustain the Fourth Republic which has now lasted 23 years. This is the first time since our independence that a generation of Nigerians has had the opportunity to grow up in a political environment undisturbed for over two decades. This is highly commendable.
“Despite the tremendous challenges which we have faced as a country, particularly in the last seven years, with insecurity, communal clashes, ethnic tensions we have continued to trudge on”, the governor pointed out.
He said in spite of lean resources and political distractions, his administration has provided key infrastructure projects, raised the minimum wage from N30,000 to N40,000, restructured the state civil and public service to reduce cost and provide quality service, as we refocused the state economy on the path of sustainable growth.
“Since I assumed office, I have placed a premium on law and order and the need to respect property rights. Without protecting the property rights of Edo citizens it will be difficult to attract investments and capital to the state. Thus we have had to rein in the activities of non-state actors and overlords who intimidate, maim, oppress and deploy the instrument of violence to defraud people and rob them of their hard-earned resources including landed properties.
“We are resolute in our determination to restore and preserve the land administration system in the state. This is why we have intensified the campaign against land-grabbing. We are determined to rid our state of these non-state actors and overlords who have become a nuisance and deprive communities and individuals of their properties. We are going to bring the full weight of the law upon the individuals and groups involved and bring the perpetrators and their collaborators to justice.
“We have taken possession of a government acquisition in the Irhirhi-Arogba-Obazagbon-Ogheghe axis of the Benin metropolis for the development of a new town. The new town is the first phase of the Benin Masterplan, which is intended to redistribute the city’s population in a properly planned settlement. I want to assure the citizens of Edo State that my government has set up a special squad which will recover every inch of land illegally converted by land grabbers from communities and individuals,” Obaseki stressed.
