•Vows to end kidnapping
From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has flagged off palliative work on failed portions of Federal Roads in Edo North.
The failed portions that would receive emergency palliative work includes Auchi-Igarra-Aiyetoro-Unemu-
Nekhua-Aiyegunle-Ikpeshi-Ibillo-Ekor-Ikiran-Oke, all in Edo North; about 9.61 kilometres.
Flagging off the palliative work yesterday, Okpebholo said the President Bola Tinubu-led administration is concerned about Edo development and has continued to ensure the people enjoy the dividends of democracy.
He noted that his administration was assuring Edo people that kidnapping business would be a thing of the past in the state.
“Today, we are flagging off these roads to ensure we have good highways in Edo North, Edo Central and Edo South. “I was with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja last week and he asked me to ensure that pot holes on roads across the state, either Federal or State, are rehabilitated.”
The Governor added that the President was concerned about the people of Edo, and would ensure they have good roads, educational system, healthcare, security and other basic necessities of life.
“We will continue to bring development to Edo people because we care about our people and we want to improve their lives for the best.”
Assuring the people of Edo North that his administration would end kidnapping business in the state, the Governor noted: “I assure you that the business of kidnapping will never thrive here. We must take decisive action as these criminal elements must leave our forests. I assure you that in the next few days, they will be out of our forests. “I will relocate to Edo North if that is what it will cost me to flush out criminal elements from the area as I will not leave this to security agencies alone. Together, we will smoke them out from this area.”
On the erosion problem facing Auchi community and its environs, Okpebholo said his administration would do its best to address the issue but would follow due process.
He noted: “On the erosion issue ravaging the area, we need to follow the due procurement process to achieve results. Just be patient with my administration.
“I will go and see the gully erosion site for myself and I will later send engineers to assess it and put a final stop to the erosion devastation.”
Appreciating the Governor for the palliative work, Oloruntoba Bamidele thanked the Governor for fixing roads across the state, especially the federal roads which the past administration neglected.
He noted that the repair of these failed portions would drastically reduce criminal activities in the area.
Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, assured the Governor of the continuous support of the legislature to ensure he achieves more infrastructural developments across the state.
Gov Okpebholo and his entourage visited the gully erosion site at Water Tanker Road in Auchi, Ughiogwa, Ayogwiri-Uzairue both in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.