Crusaderhotnews
*Governor need increased legislative ‘muegbesuegbe’ to do more*
*By Eseosa Ewere*
One cannot but agree that a united, focus-driven Assembly is a sine qua non for improved democratic development; more often than not, we have seen Executive underperforming in her responsibility due to impasse in the Legislature
Frequent deadlock(s) between the Executive and Legislature reversibly pose great threat to political development
As Gov. Godwin Obaseki approaches the end of his first term, he must be able to justiceably articulate his achievements in his running first term; as the essential pre-requisite for a second term will be based squarely on his performance and administration’s direct and/or indirect impact on lives and infrastructures in Edo 2016 to date
While Godwin Obaseki is seen by a vast majority of Edo people at home and in the diaspora to have held firmly to the plough of good-governance, which led to the Benin River Port, disbandment of agberoism, touting and illegal collection of rates, taxes and dues in Edo, construction of Emotan Gardens Estate, Benin Industrial Park, creation of enabling environment for the siting of the Azura Power Plant project, disbandment of the one-time notorious CDA in conjunction with the Oba Palace, prompt and seamless payment of pension arrears, rehabilitation of dilapidated roads and public facilities across the State, restoring sanity in Edo, synchronizing and digitalizing critical governance aspects along technology lines and other essentials, I daresay without equivocation that Obaseki may be on his way to second coming
Whereas sustaining the developmental initiatives of the current administration is important on the one hand, inaugurating a pro-development Assembly for improved and constructive checks and balance is sacrosanct on the other hand; this perfectly suggests why Edo people came out en masse yesterday March 9 to speak aloud with one voice by electing all APC candidates thereby solidifying Obaseki’s formular for improved development
For too long, Edo has been through unsolicited and systemic political and developmental marginalization, this is not the time for unproductive executive versus legislative battles, squabbles and fistcuffs; if the sacrifice to pay for a better Edo is the enthronement of one united family with a common purpose, so be it
While we are still celebrating in the euphoria of yesterday’s landslide victory, may I call strongly on Members-elect both first and second timers alike to be ready to hit the ground running upon inauguration; we have seen Parliamentarians docile, sleepy, unproductive and dull; politics is a dynamic venture and we must begin to view it from the angle of service to fatherland and not for the stupendous and garrulous enrichment of self, you must roll up your sleeves and work otherwise you will be scorned, antagonized and voted out in the next four (4) years
Of particular interest is the sustainable development of Ikpoba-Okha LGA; we are all aware of the various developmental initiatives of the Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Executive Chairman of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government, Dr. Eric Osayande in the locality; to sustain this tempo, the newly-elected EDHA Member for the LGA Hon. Henry Okhuarobo must engage a team of development experts to articulate developmental programmes that will be attractive to the Local and State Governments for onward development of Ikpoba-Okha
Our foremost leaders in Ikpoba-Okha Barr. Osarodion Ogie Esq, Hon. Matthew Aigbuhuenze Iduoriyekemwen, Hon. EJ Agbonayinma and others must continue to deploy the instrumentalities of their office to nurture an intelligent workforce and engage youths with meaningful jobs/opportunities
I must commend the Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki for his reforms in education, finance and administration; the EDOBEST remains a model that has attracted huge accolades from across the shores of Africa, Europe and America; the ongoing refurbishment of four hundred and sixty (460) schools is a testament of his commitment to secure the future of children in Edo State
The meticulous and prudent management of Edo’s financial resources will substantially remove Edo from the comity of indebted States as well as put Edo’s monies where it rightly belongs
The Governor’s technocratic administrative style of merging related Ministries thereby reducing cost of governance, creating new departments and re-energizing agencies as well as the ongoing construction of an internet broadband for the Benin metropolis, and the civil service reform has placed the Governor at a vantage point
There is no gainsaying the fact that Edo now stands on a sure footing particularly with the election of ‘Obaseki’s Men’ to take up their new jobs at Osadebey Avenue May this year
Conclusively, the Edo State House of Assembly Members-elect deserve our felicitations while also reminding them that a critical mass will be beaming torches of inquiry effect from May 29 when they will convoke to take the oath of office; I wish them well as they get set to engage in productive and sound legislation towards solidifying the foundations of development prevalent in Edo State
*Eseosa Ewere is Chief Press Secretary to the Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Chairman and contributed this piece from Ward 6, Ikpoba-Okha LGA, Benin City*
0 Comments