Obaseki receives PDP decampees in state-wide Post-election tour

…Oluku, Utoka wards agog over appointments, projects

The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, accompanied by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu and other top government functionaries, commenced a state-wide tour on Monday, to thank Edo people for voting him as governor in the last gubernatorial election.

A visibly elated Obaseki who received Mr Andrew Uzamere, formerly of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) with his followers into the All Progressives Congress (APC), expressed his appreciation to members of the APC in the 13 wards that make Ovia North-East Local Government Area, for their overwhelming support for him before, during and after the election.

Speaking at Okada, headquarters of Ovia North-East Local Government Area, Obaseki said his administration has embarked on several road construction projects in the rural and peri-urban areas to open up the communities and link farmers to markets.

He added that plans have reached an advanced stage to partner with ready investors from Asia to establish an oil palm estate in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of the state.

“In the last two months, we have approached investors to come to Edo State, to do large scale oil plantation business, starting with Ovia. The jobs we promised will be generated through this means, with focus on mechanised farming and a ready market for the products,” the governor said.

He added that in the next months, his administration will be launching an industrial park at Ologbo, in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of the state, while another will be launched in Ovia later.  “We are working with the World Bank to provide potable water for the people of several Edo communities,” he added.

The Edo State Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) Mr. Anslem Ojezua, commended the governor for keeping to his electioneering promises to the people of the area.

“Before the primary election, the governor promised that he would work with the party and respect party leadership. He has kept to his promises,” Ojezua said and hinted that the party will commence the digital registration of members from next month, which will be handled by party officials from the various wards of the state.

The Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ovia North-East Local Government Area, Mr. Benson Edosowman, who could not hide his excitements about the governor’s visit, thanked him for appointing people from the local government area into the state executive council.

Specifically, he expressed his delight at the appointment of three Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and thirteen Special Assistants (SAs) from the local government area by the governor and described it as a step in the right direction towards addressing the age-long agitations for equitable distribution of political appointments in the state.

“The agricultural initiatives of Obaseki’s administration are visible and impacting lives in the local government area through the Public-Private Partnership project with Saro Farm in Iguobo, Okada East Ward and the Gelegele Sea Port project in Oduna Ward being developed will boost the economy of Ovia North- East Local Government Area when completed.

To show appreciation for their unalloyed support, the governor awarded cash prizes to the wards with the highest numbers of votes during the governorship election and Oluku came out first and got one million naira while Utoka got a promise of road construction and a cash gift of five hundred thousand naira with the highest percentage win over the opposition at the last election.