For the benefit of those who have not been following the events since our new governor and deputy governor came into office, here are the milestones:
This December, Edo State civil servants will receive double salaries, 13th month salary. What a time to be a civil servant!
The usurpation of the powers of His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin by Obaseki government has been upturned and thrown into the dustbin. Oba khato opee, Isee!
Edo indigenes with first class degrees will be given automatic employment by Edo State government.
Ambrose Alli University AAU Ekpoma, will now receive a monthly subvention of N500 million as against the paltry N41 million Obaseki gave to the university. The sacked lecturers of the university by the illegal and the aberration called SIT have been reinstated . Backlogs of salaries and allowances will be gradually paid. 2 buses have been provided to transport students and staff of the university free of charge to/ fro from the university to Ekpoma town.
The proposed flyover at Ramat park has been flagged off and work is ongoing. 2 other flyovers at Dawson junction and Sapele road are in the pipeline. The evidence can be seen with caterpillars already positioned at Dawson junction and Sapele road.
The 7.5 kilometers TEMBOGA road from Upper Mission to Uniben has been flagged off and work is ongoing. When completed, workers in Ikpoba hill and Aduwawa areas won't have to travel through New Lagos road to Uniben.
The repair of failed portions of Upper Mission extension is ongoing.
The failed portions of Benin/ Auchi road are being repaired without waiting for federal government. The governor has personally visited the sites to ensure the road is motorable before Christmas.
Touting and issuance of tickets have been suspended at the various motor parks. Bus drivers and passengers are happy about the development. Benin City is calm.
The high cost of food items in our markets which was traced to the activities of market unions has been taken care of with the ban on market unions. A paint rubber of garri that was selling for N4500 is now N2500. I bought a very big old layer chicken for N7,000 within the week at Oregbeni market.
The governor and the deputy governor have visited troubled communities to make peace. They have visited dilapidated school buildings with a promise to do something urgently.
The 3 judges that were discriminated against and frustrated by the Obaseki administration after being cleared by NJC have been sworn in. The swearing in took place on the 2nd of December, 2024. Their appointment has been backdated to May 2023. The focused governor is on a mission to right the wrongs of Obaseki.
There are other activities of government which have taken place in just 2 weeks of coming into office.
Surely, a new Edo is rising with Senator Monday Okpebholo as the governor and Hon. Dennis Idahosa as the deputy governor.
Austine Osaghae
reporting from Benin City.
