FEATURE:
Governor Okpebholo's Historic First Week in office, Is Exemplary.
By: Godswill Inegbe
Since the newly elected governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo assumed office, there has been a new lease of life for the people of the state. This is evident in the people-centric decisions that Governor Okpebholo has so far taken.
Without an iota of doubt, Governor Okpebholo's 'pace setting', first week in office is exemplary and a game-changing phenomenon in the state's governance and development trajectory.
His historic flag-off of Edo State's first flyover bridge and rapid commencement of key infrastructure projects like road rehabilitation and school improvements and his prompt appointments and decisive actions, such as banning exploitative market unions, further underscore his commitment to practical governance, which is what the people of Edo state needs at this time.
After one week in the saddle of governance, Okpebholo declared to the lawmakers in the State House of Assembly and the Permanent Secretaries; "I am here to build Edo, therefore, we have a lot of work to do."
To the amazement of his political detractors, Governor Okpebholo embarked on project monitoring which his one week old administration has initiated, namely; rehabilitation of Upper Mission Extension Junction by Oando Filling Station in Aduwawa, Ekenwan Barrack Road, Benin-Ekpoma express road by Obadan junction and Army check point, and Ebomisi Community Primary School in Ovia North East LGA.
Governor Okpebholo's leadership is a stark departure from his predecessor's administration, emphasizing his action-oriented approach. This is seen in his prompt announcement of his first set of appointments within 48 hours after his inauguration which is a clear indication that he was well-prepared for the office.
For many reasons in his one week old administration, Governor Okpebholo is celebrated as the first Governor to flag-Off the first Flyover Bridge in Edo State; the first Governor to announce his first set of appointments within 48 hours of his assumption of office; the first Edo state Governor to boldly place a ban on market unions that have all along, been responsible for the exploitative and arbitrary increase in the prices of staple foods in the markets across Edo State.
Without fear of contradiction, the achievements of Governor Okpebholo in just one week in office, is historic and a clear betrayal of the thoughts and expectations of his political traducers who during the Edo gubernatorial electioneering campaigns, sponsored all sorts of propaganda and falsehoods against him in the media.
Thus, I wasn't surprise to read the outburst against Governor Okpebholo's widely celebrated giant developmental strides by the ousted former Commissioner of Information, Chris Nehikhare, who have gone back to be the Publicity Secretary of the moribund Edo PDP. Clearly, his criticism is fueled by political frustration rather than substantive concerns.
As usual, the failed ex-commissioner who couldn't fix the road that led to his family house in Evboehighae village, Orhionmwon Local Government Area, while in government, accused Governor Okpebholo of kicking off his administration with white elephant projects to funnel resources to settle godfathers.
I understand that the ex-commissioner is terribly pained that what his boss, former Governor Obaseki, couldn't achieve in 8 years in office, Governor Okpebholo has achieved it in one week in office.
I wish to emphatically state to the chagrin of Chris Nehikhare, that Governor Okpebholo will not be an MOU Governor like his former boss.
Governor Okpebholo will work night and day for the entire people of Edo state and its residents, on whose pleasure he serves as the Executive Governor of the State.
Governor Okpebholo will fellow stricto sensu the extant laws in the course of serving Edo people. He will not behave like Nehikhare's ex-boss who was all noise, and no work.
Governor Okpebholo's singular mission is to build Edo State and make it a choice destination for investors and tourists in West Africa.
This patriotic vision cannot be derailed by the jaundiced vituperations of a defeated ex Commissioner of Information.
Godswill Inegbe, the Media Aide To The Governor of Edo State, writes from the Governor's Office in Government House, Benin City.