By Raphael Okhiria
There was unlimited jubilation throughout Edo State when 54 construction equipment procured by the State Government for the 18 Local Government Councils, was commissioned yesterday in Benin City.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), His Excellency Nyesom Wike, who performed the commissioning, described the initiative as a major boost to grassroots economic development.
Wike praised the governor’s commitment to rural development and economic empowerment at the grassroots.
According to the FCT minister, “You have demonstrated that you love the economy of the local government. You have demonstrated that development must go to the rural areas. You have laid the foundation for Mr. President to be re-elected.
“Let me tell you, as the other opponent was busy deceiving people buying corn on the road, Mr. President was busy developing the FCT. FCT has 62 councillors, APC took 45, PDP took 17.”
He however charged the benefiting heads of the 18 local government councils to make judicious use of the equipment to justify the huge investment in procuring them.
In his address, Governor Monday Okpebholo described the handover as a strategic step in strengthening local government administration and delivering development to rural communities.
He said, “Today marks a significant step in our commitment to grassroots development in Edo State in line with our SHINE Agenda.
“Development must not be concentrated at the centre; it must reach every village, every community and every ward. Our local governments must have the capacity to deliver practical governance for the Edo people.
“These machines are tools of transformation. They are meant to open rural roads, improve drainage, support sanitation, and accelerate local infrastructure delivery. They are not for show. They are not for storage. They are for work.”
The governor added that the equipment which belongs to the people of Edo State, must be deployed transparently and maintained properly for public use.
Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, said governance is about identifying with the ordinary man and using political will to protect their interests.
The ALGON Chairman and Chairman of Etsako East Local Government Area, Hon. Sunny Ekpeson, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, described the commissioning as a celebration of practical governance and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
His words, “We are here to take the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President to the grassroots. Governance stopped during the time of Adams Oshiomhole and it has resumed again now during the time of Monday Okpebholo,”
He noted that the event demonstrates that Governor Okpebholo is not interfering in local government administration, adding that infrastructural development is now visible across the state.
The ceremony was attended by the state Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa; the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Edo State, Edesili Anani Okpebholo; Senator Adams Oshiomhole; the Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, RT. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku; and members of the Edo State House of Assembly, the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor Esq; the APC Chairman in Edo State, Jarret Tennabe, amongst other important personalities.