Oshiomhole under fire for sharing motor-cycles, grinding machines, others as empowerment

From Tony Osauzo, Benin

The distribution of motor-cycles, grinding machines, sewing machines and money by former governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, as empowerment for some of his constituents, has sparked criticism.

The former 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 give out grinding machines and motorbikes 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 the 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 machines, motorcycles, as constituency projects.

Reacting to Oshiomhole’s empowerment programme, a former lawmaker and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo North, 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.

However, Chief of Staff/Media Adviser aide to Senator Oshiomhole, Victor Oshioke, disclosed that the senator 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.”