Edo Supports Widows With N14m

Since its inception, the Governor Adams Oshiomhole-led administration in Edo State has embarked on a journey aimed at ameliorating the plight of the people making sure they life a meaningful live.

He has made a positive impact on people's lives and is striving to leave a legacy for others to follow.

Another kind gesture came from the governor when he presented N14 million cheques to seven widows of police officers, who died on duty.

Oshiomhole, also pledged to support the education of the deceased's children with N500, 000.

He commended the officers and men of the Nigeria Police for their efforts to get rid of criminals in the state, saying : “I was told that many people visited Benin City during the Yuletide.

“The ember months, which used to represent a season when armed robbers were in control and people hid, were peaceful and safe last year.

“I appreciate your efforts and urge you to continue to do your best, as the reward for hard work is more work.”

Oshiomhole said: “Whoever must work hard also desires to be compensated by the appropriate authority”. maintaining that the Police work like several other types of work is a team work.

While sympathizing with the widows and children of the police officers, who died in active service, the governor said “Crocodile tears will not suffice; we need concrete measures designed to alleviate their suffering, which cannot be equal to the loss of a loving husband or a caring father.

“It is the way we look after the widows, those who were widowed in the course of their husbands' duties and those orphaned in the course of their fathers' work; how we treat them, more than what we say that, will send correct signals to those in uniform that whatever happens in the line of their duties, the society appreciates.”

From May 2014, Edo state will wear a new look and transportation will take a new dimension, as Governor Oshiomhole will inaugurate a 24 km Igueben/Ibundin road project in Igueben and Esan Central local governments in Edo Central.

The contractor handling the project, Engr. S.A. Skaff, disclosed this during an inspection of ongoing road projects in three local governments in Edo Central, with governor Oshiomhole

The governor toured Irrua/Usugbenu and Ugbegun Ujogban/Ibudin in Igueben Local Government, and Esan Central Local Government.

The Irrua – Usugbenu, Ugbegun – Ujogban to Ibudin road measuring about 17km, is at the stone base stage, waiting for final asphalting.

Oshiomhole also inspected another ongoing road project stretching about 11.1km-the Ewohimi/Igueben and Ewohimi – Agadaga road measuring approximately 6 km, situated in Esan South East Local Government.

Also, in Esan South East, the governor Oshiomhole inspected the ongoing Emu/Okhuesan road project down to the river at Upper Emu road to the old “Biafran” bridge, which measured about 16.2km and the Emu/Ohordua road at Esan South East Local Government, measuring 8.4 km, as well as the Ewohimi General Hospital, completed and waiting for inauguration.

Addressing reporters after the tour, Oshiomhole hailed the contracting firm, Skaff Engineering International Limited, on the quality of the work did.

 “I have seen where roads are built, and before they finish the first part, they begin to spoil. But I am happy with what I have seen. Everything is good”, he said.

The governor urged the contractor to pay attention to quality control and assured the people of Edo Central of more construction of roads.

He said: “People believe that when roads are built in the rural areas, they should be sub-standard. But I believe that rural people are not sub-standard people. Therefore, the quality of roads we find in the city should be the same in the rural areas”.

Engr S.A. Skaff assured the governor that the first phase of the project, stretching from Igueben to Ibudin, would be asphalted by the end of April this year.

He commended the governor's support and financial obligation towards ensuring the speedy completion of the projects, saying: “The state governor, Comrade Oshiomhole, has been standing by us in terms of financial obligations and otherwise. By the grace of God, we shall complete the job to specification.”

The Edo State government, through the SEEFOR Project Office, has embarked on an early morning cleaning exercise to mark the official launch of the Edo SEEFOR Small Public Works, an activity geared towards a cleaner and more sanitised state.

The Project Coordinator of the World Bank assisted SEEFOR project, Mr. Taiwo Akerele, said the state is among the first to benefit from the World Bank project, adding that the exercise will create jobs for 9,000 people, but a batch of 530 is being employed for a start to commence the exercise, with a view of creating more jobs in the year.

He said the state government has done a lot in the employment of youths through the Youth Employment Scheme, Rapid Response Agency and the ICT, “but the project is scaling up on the part of the World Bank and the National Planning Commission”.

The Commissioner for Environment and Public Utilities, Hon. Prince Clement Agba, lauded the project coordinator, adding that the programme is a good one, as it will help clean the drains and control erosion.

He added that the people being employed would deal with work around the dump sites, help in the beautification and greening of the state and in the maintenance of public street lights.

The General Manager, Edo State Waste Management Board, Gilliam Ochugbe, said the exercise is a step towards employing more people and improving the sanitary condition of the state.