Obaseki’s Govt @ 2: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly, What The People Say

Obaseki’s Govt @ 2:

• The Good
• The Bad
• The Ugly
• What The People Say

On Monday, November 12, 2018, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State will be celebrating the second year anniversary of his government. He took over reigns of government from his predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole on November 12,  2016.

So far, the Obaseki’s regime has received several accolades for good governance, just as criticisms are abound over things done or not done.

But friends and foes, have all agreed that the Obaseki’s government has eliminated gangsterism, agberoism, above the law sysmdrome, illegal tax collection from the state. And in their places, he restored sanity, orderliness and discipline in the state.

Besides, since assuming office about two years ago, Governor Obaseki has proven to be a man of his own, who hardly dance to the music played for him by others.

He has successfully separated party politics from governance. Little wonders, Governor Obaseki is hated by nearly all the tin gods in the ruling political party (APC) in the state.

They (party leaders) have complained privately and publicly that they are starving because the governor has flatly denied them of government patronages. But Obaseki has refused to bulge, saying it loud and clear that he would rather fear and please God than please man and that he would not plunge Edo State further into indebtedness in order to satisfy the ‘hungry’ party leaders.

Thus so far, the present administration in the state, has recorded appreciable level of development especially in the areas of roads construction and rehabilitation, infrastructural development, training and retraining, tax administration, amongst others.

However, not a few Edo people have scored the Obaseki’s government low in the handling of the state affairs. The nearly everyday arrest and imprisonment of street traders, arrest and imprisonment of Osakpamwan Eriyo, alias ‘No Molest’, Comrade Curtis Ugbo and lately the nine Esan youths, topped the lists of offences against the government .

Many Edo People are of the opinion that wise counsel should always prevail in dealing with sensitive issues, particularly those that have political undertone in order to avoid rocking the boat.

Besides, the present administration in the state has received several knocks for allegedly giving too much attention to the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoU’s) without reasonable benefits, so far.

Similarly, the seeming failure of the Obaseki’s regime to address the issue of ravaging floods in the state, especially in city and township centres is something that is causing soured taste in the mouths of the residents of the state.

“With ravaging floods everywhere in Edo State, why will this APC government in the state abandon the storm water project that had gulped several billion of naira?

“What about the so called five star new Central Hospital in Benin City? The Wake and See governor should not just concentrate in instilling security, law and order, due process in our society, he should also wake up to protecting peoples lives from merciless flooding and criminals especially cultists, violent crimes, armed robbery and kidnappers”, they added.

What The People Say

Pay My Father His Gratuity – Miss Anita Aziken (pupil)

Governor Obaseki is a very good person. He is repairing our roads but I want him to pay my father his gratuity so that my father can complete his house and take us there and we will no longer be tenants.

The Water Fountain @ Ring Road Should Be Working Again – Mr. Obasuyi Omoyemwen (worker)

Although I am not a civil servant but I am very happy that the state government is not owing its workers. However, I want the state government to make functional the Water Fountain at Ring Road so that our children will have a place to go during the forthcoming festivities. During the last administration, it was a place I usually take my family to relax because I cannot afford paying money to go elsewhere like Ogba Zoo or Kada Plaza.

Most Of The Street Lights Are Not Working – Mrs. Pat. Agbonze (Market Trader)

My road (TV Road), is one of the roads the state government recently constructed and I like it very much. But almost all the street lights in Benin City are not working. The government should do something about them before the Christmas celebration. I like street lights. They make me happy.

What Has Happened To The Multi-Billion Nairia Benin City Storm Water project – Pa Johnson Imagbe

Some people are praising Governor Obaseki saying  he is good man and that he is a performing governor but for me he has done nothing until he restart work and complete the Benin City Storm Water Project which was started by his political godfather, Adams Oshiomhole.

Governor Obaseki Is Too Hard – Osayamen Matthew (Former CDA Member)

Some people are clapping for the governor, saying he has brought sanity and orderliness to land administration in the  state. But as for me, the man that removed food from my mouth can never be a perfect person, no matter how people are painting him. He forced us out of work and he has refused to give us means of livelihood. Is that good?

The Governor Should Travel Less – Mr. Etusi Otoadese (Politician)

Many Edo people believe that the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki is a very prudent state administrator who is very eager to save public money for the state; but as for me, he is wasting too much money on flying abroad every now and then. Today, he is in Lagos, tomorrow, he is Abuja and the next day, he is Paris, China, USA, Germany, etc. He should stay more in Edo State.

Obaseki Should Empower Edo People Instead Of Foreigners – Engr. Stanley Obasuyi (Bussinessman)

This present administration is always in the habit of giving contract jobs to outsiders instead of Edo people. Majority of the buildings and other infrastructures being executed by this present government are awarded to non-Edo people. why?

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