Edo News Diary

News from source

Compile by Isaac Eranga

*PRESS RELEASE*

*Removal of illegal structures not targeted at any individual or group – Edo Govt* 

The Edo State government is removing illegal structures, billboards, posters, pictures because they run foul of the development imperatives of the state which is captured under the Environmental Sustainability thrust of the state’s Six Thematic Pillars.

It is disruptive of anybody to place structures without due approval from relevant government agencies, upsetting development plans for public utilities and other social amenities. Government has a well-thought-out plan for the state and no one is allowed to arbitrarily erect structures contrary to government’s vision.

This decision is not targeted at any individual or group. The structures, billboards and posters being removed do not only deface public space, they also are not approved by relevant regulatory agencies.

Crusoe Osagie,
_Special Adviser, Media and Communication Strategy_
_Edo State Government_

*FLAG OFF CEREMONY OF SECOND ROUND IPDS OF AKOKO-EDO L.G.A*

*Council Boss appeal to mothers to make their children available Says Vaccine is free*

The Chairman Akoko Edo Local Government Council *Hon. Don Oteh Umoru* today flag off the second round Immunisation plus Days (IPDS) at Igarra the local government headquarter.

In his speech he stated: "IPDS is a national mass campaign, carried out simultaneously in all parts of Nigeria. This is a component of the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) to prevent a reoccurance of wild polio virus in Nigeria, last seen in 2016 in Borno State. It is a four day period of immunisation activities when two drops of violent oral polio vaccines are administered to all the children below five years in all our communities and settlements irrespective of previous exposure to the vaccine".

While appreciating partners of the exercise said he is grateful to Edo State Government through the State Ministry of Health, Federal Government through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and the Development partners especially UNICEF and World Health Organization (WHO) for their financial, technical, logistics and human capital development efforts to ensure the successful implementation of the campaign. He also added that *"despite the lean resources of the Council, the LG counterpart fund for the exercise has been paid".*

*Dr. Ehigbai Aigbe* Head of Department Primary Health Care (DPHC) in his speech said immunisation remains the cheapest and safest public health intervention for diseases control and elimination. He appreciated the Chairman Hon. Don Oteh Umoru for his passion for health development of the people. He thanked Head of Local Government Administration (HOLGA) *Dr. Mrs. Owolabi* for her support, *traditional rulers, members of immunisation task force and SMC members* for their presence.

In a closing remarks the Council Boss appeal to honorable Councilors, traditional rulers, religious leaders, social mobilisation committe members and opinion leaders to please play their parts by ensuring that everyone in their respective communities is aware and cooperates with the vaccination teams.

The ceremony had in attendance the Council Secretary *Hon. Titilayo Meg Afadama,* Hon. Councilor for health *Hon. John Efisue Gomina* and other *councillors, Supervisory Councillors, Head of Local Government Administration (HOLGA) Dr. Mrs. Owolabi,* Head of departments, health officials and other stake holders.

The program will commence on Saturday 30th June and end on Tuesday 3rd July, 2018.

*Edo State Govt. not ceding any land for ranching – Obaseki*

Edo State government has said that it has not ceded land, in any part of the state to anyone, for ranching project.

Governor Godwin Obaseki made the clarification in a statement issued on Friday in Benin City, the state capital.

According to Obaseki, “The Edo State Government wishes to clarify that it has not ceded any land, in any part of the state, for ranching project to anyone.”
He explained: “my administration recognises that animal husbandry is a form of business which is done by private individuals, and the state government does not, as a matter of policy, directly engage in business.”

The governor reiterated that under his watch “the Edo State Government will remain an enabler of businesses through policies, incentives and laws and will continue to play this role to attract private investments that will create jobs for our teeming population.”

He however noted that “private individuals and groups that have submitted proposals to get involved in animal husbandry, will receive the support of the federal government through the Edo State government for the success of their businesses.”

The governor enjoined Edo people to ignore effort by some individuals to give political colouration to every government policy.

Follow Governor Obaseki on Social Media:

Website: www.godwinobaseki.com
Facebook: fb.com/godwinobasekiofficial
Twitter: @governorobaseki
Instagram: @governorobaseki

Flooding: Obaseki provides relief materials for victims in 8 LGAs*

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has reassured of his administration’s commitment to provide for emergency needs and relief materials to flood victims in the state, noting that adequate provision has been made to provide succour to ameliorate the effects of natural disasters.

Obaseki, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Hon. Yakubu Gowon, in Benin City, disclosed this during the presentation of relief materials to persons affected by flooding in eight local councils in the state.

The distribution of relief materials was monitored by the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), which carried out on the spot assessment of victims.

The affected local councils include: Igueben, Orhionmwon, Uhunmwode, Ovia North East, Esan Central, Etsako Central, Etsako West and Owan East.

The donated materials include: 100 bundles of zinc; 140 bags of cements; 14 bags of 3 inches zinc nails; 14 bags of 4 inches zinc nails; and 140 ceiling board; cash gifts, among other materials.

The governor noted that the Office of the Special Adviser on Special Duties would supervise the entire distribution process in all the affected council areas, while the committees at the local councils, headed by the heads of the councils with members drawn from the Social Welfare Department, counsellors, heads of departments and special assistants in the local government areas, would ensure the relief materials get to the affected persons.

Chairman, Uhunwonde Local Government Area, Hon. Napoleon Agbama, who received the relief materials on behalf of his council, expressed appreciation to the governor for the prompt response, adding, “Governor Obaseki has continued to demonstrate that he is a true leader, who matches action with words.”

Mr Silvester Okoro, Chairman of Orhionmwon local council and Scott Ogbemudia of Ovia North East local council were at the event.

*Ugboha Water project: Edo Govt assures of speedy completion of Reticulation work*

The Edo State Government has assured the people of Ugboha in Esan South-East Local Government Area of the completion of reticulation work for the Esan North Water Project.

The Commissioner for Energy and Water Resources, Hon. Yekini Idiaye, gave the assurance in Benin City, during a meeting between the state government and leaders of Ugboha community.

Hon. Idiaye noted that the Governor Godwin Obaseki led-administration was determined to provide clean and safe water for people in the state, noting that steps are being taken to address the grievance of the people of Ugboha with regard to the reticulation of the water project in Ugboha, as deadline for completion has been set for December 2018.

This, according to him, would enable the state government provide clean water to people living in Ugboha and its environs, noting, “After official transfer of its facilities to the Edo State government, the Esan Northern Water project is no longer a Federal Government project. The state government will handle all grievances of Ugboha people.”

While responding to demand for change of name of the project by the community, the commissioner noted that the issue will be presented to the governor. He added that issues bothering on compensation will be discussed with the Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority, which will liaise with the Federal Government on the payment of compensation to farmers, whose crops were damaged in the course of the project.

“The design of the road to the dam has been done and hopefully, the contract will be awarded soon for the construction work to begin,” he added.

A member of the delegation and former Chairman, Esan South East, Hon. Andrew Ojiebhekele, expressed appreciation to the governor, who initiated the meeting, noting, “From the discussion we had today, we are hopeful that the needful will be done. We believe in the promise made and anticipate the outcome.”

Ojiebhekele pledged that the people of Ugboha would contribute to the success of the Obaseki led-administration in the state.

He appealed that the project be renamed to reflect the project site, noting that Ugboha is in Esan South East, while the project bears, Esan Northern Water project.

The Chairman of Esan South East, Hon. Victor Emuakhagbon, expressed satisfaction over the deliberation at the meeting, assuring that the people of Ugboha would continue to support the vision of Governor Obaseki to transform the state.