…says state is on the path of progress
The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has congratulated the people of the state as the state clocks 28 years on August 27, 2019, hailing the people’s creativity and the can-do-spirit which they are known for.
Obaseki said: “On behalf of the government of Edo State, I congratulate all Edo people and residents on this achievement. What used to be the known as the old Bendel State was split on this day, 28 years ago, breaking apart to form what is known today as Edo and Delta states.
“With the two states growing on their own terms and their people charged to chart their individual destinies, Edo State has had different leaders who contributed in one way or the other to her development, with solid foundation in such areas as infrastructure, housing, education, health care and agriculture, among many others.
“Since we assumed office in 2016, we have made our intensions known on how we would build on this foundation to deliver the dividends of democracy to our people.
“We have made some progress with our focus on basic education, civil service reforms, provision of quality health care to our citizens, job creation, provision of infrastructure amongst others.”
He explained that in the civil service, his administration has championed the revamp of the old Secretariat Buildings, especially Blocks C and D.
According to the governor, “The rehabilitation work at the secretariat is almost complete, with the Secretariat taking a new shape. Also, workers’ welfare has received priority attention with our insistence on regular payment of salaries and pensions, as well as trainings to enhance their capacity.
“We have expanded the state’s housing stock with the revamp of the Edo Development and Property Agency (EDPA), which used to be Bendel Development and Property Authority, one of the assets we inherited.
“In human capital development, the state government through the Edo State Skills Development Agency has created a new vista of opportunities for youths in the state in a quest to fulfill our promise to create 200,000 jobs in our first term in office. The Edo Innovation Hub is a testament to this mandate.
“The revamp of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, a gift from the state’s founding fathers, is also a major project that ties our government to the legacies of old Bendel, as the state has embarked on a vital reforms in sports development with the establishment of the Edo State Sports Commission, to discover and groom young sports talent.”
On the fight against human trafficking, Obaseki said the state has taken a lead role, ensuring that we rehabilitated almost 5000 indigenes that were returned from Libya after years in the gallows in Libya.
He added that the state government set up the Edo State Task Force Against Human Trafficking (ETAHT), to combat the menace frontally.
“We could not have done these and more without the support of all Edo people and residents, our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), our Royal fathers led by the Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, and our numerous development partners,” he added.
