Follow Us on Google
From Tony Osauzo, Benin
The distribution of motor-cycles, grinding machines, sewing machines and money by former governor Adams Oshiomhole and Senator representing Edo North as empowerment for some of his constituents, has spark criticism.
The ex-Governor who last weekend distributed the items as part of his constituency project, had earlier in an interview he granted before his election to the National Assembly, promised to restructure the whole idea of constituency project.
“I don’t want to go to the Senate for business as usual. I have seen my Senator gave out grinding machine and motorbike as empowerment. That is more offensive. How are you empowering a young man in his 20s with a motorbike? You are destroying him. I think government must refocus the long term strategy to empower the people”, Oshiomhole had said.
But after he distributed the empowerment items, the former governor was reminded of how he berated federal lawmakers for impoverishing the people by sharing sewing machine, motorcycles, as constituency project.
Reacting to Oshiomhole’s empowerment programme, a former lawmaker and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo North, Hon. Segun Saiki, said the Edo North Senator swallowed what he has vomited by doling out grinding machines, motorbikes, sewing machines and N100,000 as constituency project.
“It is like somebody vomiting and swallowing it back. Which constituency project is he doing after two years in the Senate. What can anybody buy with N100,000 in this present economy? Oshiomhole only gave money to people that visited him”, Saiki added.
In his comments, Chief of Staff/Media Adviser aide to Senator Oshiomhole, Victor Oshioke, disclosed that Oshiomhole built classroom blocks, market stores besides the items distributed.
“What Oshiomhole meant was that a Senator should not be judged by sharing items but by enduring legacies and jobs created”, he said.
