Breaking News
Awujoola yusuf babatunde
Apr 01 2025
149
Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, in this interview, answers basic governance issues like security, economy, agriculture, education, and infrastructural development. He also speaks on his decision to fix federal roads in the state, saying that he is in a hurry to deliver his campaign promises. To him, kidnappers are also now in flight, while cult-related murders have all but become a thing of the past. Excerpts:
You are aware of the recent unfortunate incident in Uromi where some people claimed to be members of a vigilance group, took the laws into their own hands, and killed some people who were coming home for the celebrations.
It was a very unfortunate incident that tended to put a blight on what we are doing in security.
I visited the location and also spoke with my brother, the governor of Katsina and Kano states, and before then, we had even apprehended 14 persons who are being interrogated, and appropriate actions will be taken.
There is no room for savagery in Edo State. There is no room for mob attacks and/or jungle justice. We can never permit those acts. I do not want to say more about that so as not to compromise security investigations.
We have restructured the state's Security Corps. I purchased security vehicles equipped with state-of-the-art gadgets as soon as I took over. The security issues you observe in Edo State are being addressed. I have also signed some bills into law to further protect our state. Kidnappers and cultists are now on the run. Cultism was a common practice in Edo State when we came into government. We have addressed that now. Other security problems that we have will soon be addressed, I can assure you.
We have seen you taking on a lot of road projects. Why is this?
Prior to my coming, the State was totally cut off by bad roads, and my administration could not accept that. We have no time to waste as we transform Edo into a construction ground and are ready to partner with credible agencies. We promised our people that we would fix and construct the roads. Edo people should expect good things to happen. We will fix our roads and let our people feel the dividend of democracy.
The part that collapsed at Upper Mission Extension Road was in a pitiable condition when we took over. It is the determination of my government to fix the problem and smile at Edo people. President Tinubu was not happy with the condition Edo State was in when I took over. But you can witness we are already in operation as he is coming to join us to fix Edo State and that we certainly must get it done.
The flyover at Ramat, for instance, will alter the social and economic fortune of our country's capital and indeed Edo State. Ramat Park is a gateway to Benin City and other parts of the nation. This is our first flyover, which we are constructing, and we are constructing more. There is one at Dawson Road junction and another at Sapele Road/Adesuwa Road junction. Ramat Park Flyover will grant drivers in Benin City and those using the two corridors, the Benin-Auchi expressway and the Benin-Asaba expressway, a new lease of life.
We have instructed the contractor to work twenty-four hours a day to ensure that the road is done as scheduled. It is not office work. I promised the good people of Edo practical and good governance, and office sitting will not help me achieve that.
Hence, I have to monitor all projects executed by this government to ensure quality of output and also ensure that the work is completed on time and to specification. I am elected into office to serve and have to serve the people of Edo. The reason why Edo people selected me as governor is to work for them, and that is what I am working for them by the grace of God Almighty.
You also seem to be working on federal roads in the state…
We are working to fix the collapsed portions of federal roads. We have fixed Obadan Junction, Benin-Auchi Road already. The road is an entry point from the southeast to the northern part of the country. This is a federal road in Edo State, and it does not matter. Citizens of Edo State, Eastern, and Northern parts of the country use this road. Finishing this road (Obadan junction) will add to the credibility of our party and the APC All Progressives Congress administration. There is nothing wrong with fixing this road for Edo people.
I am highly honored and highly pleased seeing the works of the remedial on the Benin/Ekpoma/Auchi Express Way. The president has promised to rehabilitate this road and has succeeded in doing just that, and Edo citizens and Nigerians in general appreciate the work being done on this road, and it is now accessible. You can see for yourself what my government has been able to accomplish in terms of fixing federal roads in the state.
The highway was not passable initially because accidents on the Benin-Iruekpen federal highway happened, and small and large trucks were involved, and lives were also lost. We previously had a government in Edo State that was used to placing signboards on [1] all federal highways with the inscription 'this is a federal road, bear[1, 2] with us'. But now we know [2] that the Edo people made use[3] of these roads and today it is Edo roads and by God's grace, we will [3, 4] keep moving to ensure our people have good roads throughout the State. Serving my people is the only thing that can make the people of Edo happy and joyful for me. Reducing the travel time on this road is to our advantage. A journey of up to four hours is now 45 minutes.
Your predecessor had the EdoBest education program. What are you doing currently in that regard?
Do you remember when I visited one of the rundown Ebomisi Secondary Schools in Ugbogiobo, Ovia North East Local Government Area, during my campaigns? I thought that the then governor would have renovated the school, but nothing was done there. I think this was not acceptable. The condition of Edo schools is appalling, and children attend such so-called EdoBest schools. To me, this is not acceptable.
My administration will transform those schools. My administration will correct the wrongs and remake the stories of our schools in Edo State. It is our responsibility to make the Edo people happy and educate children under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Education is the foundation of development. Take, for example, Ambrose Alli University (AAU). It is a special institution in Edo State because it has produced the best brains in Nigeria, and it is our duty to regain its lost glory and make it a permanent one.
The first decision my administration made in an attempt to regain the lost glory of the institution was to increase the monthly subvention from N41 million to N500 million. This is a bold move that shows our commitment to the AAU renaissance and also sets in motion special interventions to enhance infrastructural development, enabling students and staff to access the infrastructure necessary to excel.
You can see the massive work being undertaken in all the schools in Edo State. I have visited quite a number of schools, and you can see for yourself the massive renovation, reconstruction, and rebuilding of the schools. Edo people are jubilating.
We will still be doing more towards the benefit of our people. Even before we will be one or two years in office, Edo State and Edo people will have seen a lot of changes in all sectors of the state, including education and other sectors. I told the people of Edo during my campaign that I would declare a state of emergency in our schools throughout the state, and I have done that.
