FEATURE:
Esan Central LG Boss: Uncommon Chairman, Doing Uncommon Things
By: Oriaifoh Godwins
In less than one year of his administration, Rt. Hon Kelvin Ainiyalenhimi Iyere, the Chairman of Esan Central Local Government Area, Edo state, has clearly demonstrated that governance is not rocket science, and that, it only take those with 'democratic chromosomes' to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people they represent.
As a Journalist, I have worked very closely with elected political representatives as well as with appointed political office holders and without speaking in superlatives, I must confess that Rt. Hon Iyere is a true and sincere representative that have aptly demonstrated this fact in several ways. Rt. Hon. Iyere, is a different politician of a very high ethical and moral standard.
Rt. Hon. Iyere was sworn into office as the Chairman of Esan Central Local Government Area in December 2024, and since then, he hit the ground running; first, by desilting the seat of drains (gutters) that were completely blocked, thereby making the flood to litter our roads with refuse. A case in point, is that on Eguare-Usugbenu road, in Irrua.
Again, Rt. Hon. Iyere evacuated the debris in one of the open stalls inside Irrua market, the debris had been there for over seven years. The accumulated refuse always emit heavy stench of foul odour during the rainy seasons, making traders and customers in and around the market very uncomfortable.
The question to ask is: was there no Chairman before him? What remarkable thing did those that occupied that office do that we can today make reference to?
I think those that occupied the office before him, have serious questions to answer.
Who will ever believe that in just ten months of the administration of a local government Chairman, the following projects can be executed? An edifice of 44 lock-up stores, another 6 lockup stores inside the market, the remodeling of Eidenu Health Center, Construction of a Perimeter Fence and a Security Post for Agua Primary school, construction of a Block of six Classrooms with a toilet, overhead tanks, and a headmaster’s office in Eguare-Opoji Primary school, the distribution of 100 concrete polls and conductor to Ikekato Community, and the provision of cassava mill for Idumebo Community. Woooow...this is uncommon.
In spite of all the above, the clearing of the oil palm plantation inside the local government Secretariat premises, as well as the evacuation of refuse dumps inside Irrua and Ewu markets has been a continuous exercise.
Wait a minute; I hope it is not surprising to you that Esan Central Local Government Area Secretariat had no functional toilet for the members of staff before now? Yes of course, staff must visit a nearby bush to 'offload' their 'cargo'; otherwise, they endure it until they get home before answering the call of nature. Really? So what did the previous Chairman do during his tenure?
In view of all the above, I can only conclude that “no one can give what he or she does not have. Rt. Hon. Kelvin Ainiyalenhimi Iyere, has loads of people oriented, people focused initiatives hence he is giving them”.
This is a wakeup call to all political office holders either elected or appointed that, somehow, someday, history will ask you the question: "WHAT DID YOU DO WHEN YOU WERE IN OFFICE”?
Away from the practical governing style of the Chairman of Esan Central Local Government Area, Rt. Hon. Iyere, I must admit, is a complete gentleman, a humane individual, not puffed up, nor heady, he is not arrogant, nor disrespectful like some that allow even the smallest of a political appointment or elected office to get into their head.
We have seen very greedy, selfish, self centered, treacherous so called politicians, who are professionals in using and dumping the people they claim they represent, who are professionals in shortchanging the people of their constituents; but Rt. Hon. Iyere, within less than one year, has demonstrated that he is a unique specie, and an uncommon one.
Following from the above, I think there are lots and lots to learn from this uncommon Chairman of Esan Central Local Government Area.