Benin Forum scores Oshiomhole high on projects

AGENE GODWIN, Benin

Members of the Benin Forum, the apex socio-political organisation in Edo State have scored Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole high on infrastructural development in the State.

The Benin Forum gave the positive scorecard when its members, led by Chief David Edebiri, Esogban of Benin, joined Governor Adams Oshiomhole on inspection of some projects in the state capital.

Chief Edebiri, who marvelled at the level of reclamation done on the Queen Ede Gully erosion site, said critics of the government should see the project so that they would know that the money that comes to the State is judiciously spent.

He said: “We have 12 Wards in Oredo and I would love them to one day, come and see this. Those critics, lame duck critics at home, let them come and see what is going on here, so that they may know that any money that comes to this state is for development and not wasted or appropriated to individual pockets.

“The work going on here is simply marvellous and I have asked that those lame duck critics in Benin City and elsewhere should be given the opportunity to come and see this work. Only people with large heart can venture into this type of work to salvage many people from imminent flood destruction.

“I am impressed and every good person will be impressed. It means that every penny that comes to this state is used for the benefit of the people and not what we used to have here in this state where few people appropriate public and state money as their own personal money. So I thank the Governor for doing what he is doing for the people of Edo State in general and for the residents of Benin City in particular. I am impressed and I think everybody will be impressed.”

Also, the Enogie of Evbuobanosa, Prof Greg Akenzua said: “a lot of earthwork is being done at Queen Ede Erosion site and as you could see, many of the homes there have been restored and the people are quite happy with the Governor that he has brought happiness to them, that he has saved their homes and so we really must commend the Governor for his courage”.

At the Upper Siluko Area of the State, which was hitherto devastated by flood, HRH Prof Akenzua said “we can see that a lot of money has been spent here. Those who knew the difficulty of this terrain will appreciate this. Many people had abandoned their houses because of the flood, now they are all returning and the Teachers House,   was notorious for the flood water that used to be here. It was not passable but now, look at the road, quite solid and the drains are wide and the place is dry. So we are very happy and the people in the neighbourhood are all cheering as we appeared, so we are all very happy.”

On his part, one-time Minister of Science Technology and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Prof. Emmanuel Emovon said, “Oshiomhole is doing marvellously well and we will also support him in every way. He is a saviour to most areas of Benin. He has done extremely well and anybody who thinks Oshiomhole hasn’t done well, you would have to examine their head. He has done extremely well”.

A resident of the Queen Ede area, Mrs. Grace Osawe said, “He has tried and did a lot in Benin. He repaired our roads, repaired our place. I almost left this place if not for Oshiomhole. May God lift up Oshiomhole and he will continue to reign

Also, Mrs. Mary Omoruyi said, “Whoever said Oshiomhole is not good is the bad person. Unlike before, he uses the money that comes to the state to work for us and not share it among some individuals. If not for his intervention, this place was almost lost to flood and erosion. One particular night, I almost drowned in the flood, I shouted and cried and God rescued me but I lost everything I had, my livestock, my properties and all were all washed away by the erosion but today, you have reclaimed this place for us and now we are safe and secured. Thank you for your concern and effort and may God be with you.”