The Edo House of Assembly on Monday resumed plenary after nine weeks recess.
The House had on July 31 gone on five weeks vacation which ought to have ended on Sept.10 but was postponed for another four weeks due to the ongoing renovation of the Assembly complex.
The House, during plenary, adopted a proposed business calendar of 55 days for the second quarter of the fourth session of the sixth Assembly.
The adoption of the business calendar was sequel to the consideration of the 55 sitting dayS business calendar presented by the Majority Leader, Roland Asoro.
According to Asoro, the business calendar has 18, 22 and 15 days in the October, November and December.
”The first quarter which has 65 days will bring the total number of sitting days at the House, at the end of the second quarter with 55 days, to 120 sitting days,” he said.
The Motion to adopt the 55 sitting days business calendar was moved by Asoro and seconded by the member representing (APC) Etsako central, Mr Damian Lawani.
Meanwhile, the Speaker, Kabiru Adjoto, has called on all state Ministries, Agencies and Departments (MDAs) to prepare for the ministerial briefing.
Adjoto said that it was imperative for the people of the state to know the performance of the 2018 budget on the economy of the state before the House receives the 2019 budget.
Tag: Edo State
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Edo Assembly resumes plenary, adopts 55 sitting days
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Benin Traditional council announces Oct. 20 for book launch
The Benin Traditional Council in collaboration with the Oba Ewuare Foundation, have said that the book titled “The Benin Monarchy, An Anthropolology of Benin History” would be launched on Oct. 20.
The Chairman of the committee for the book launch, Matthew Uhumoibhi, made this known on Monday at a news briefing held at the palace of Oba Ewuare II in Benin.
Uhumoibhi described the book as the most iconic on the revered monarch and people of Benin kingdom.
According to him, the book which has 599 pages with 441 images, has contributions from 18 erudite scholars.
Uhumoibhi said that Oba Ewuare had extended invitation to heads of government as well as various traditional rulers across the country for the event.
He said that the Red Book x-ray’s the unique essence of Benin history and its cultural heritage .
The chairman of the committee also pointed out that the book would be accessed online, adding that it would be made available free for students in secondary and primary schools.
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Edo Govt., Army want PPP model logistics to tackle security challenges
The Edo Government and the Nigerian army on Wednesday called for the adoption of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model logistics support to address the nation’s security challenge.
Edo governor, Godwin Obaseki, said for the nation’s fight against terrorism and other crimes to succeed, all hands must be on deck to support the Nigerian army and related security agencies.
Obaseki, spoke through the State’s Head of Service, Mrs Gladys Idahor, at the opening ceremony of the 20th Combat Service Support Training Week, held at the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, Benin.
He said that government alone could not provide all the logistics needs of the Nigerian Army especially in the face of new security challenges.
“The academia and the organised private sector need to share ideas on ways of meeting the contemporary needs of the Nigerian Army,” he said.
The governor noted that the theme of the training: “Enhancing Combat Service Support capability through Public Private Partnership to meet Nigerian Army’s Contemporary Challenge” was, therefore, apt.
He also commended the Army for its planned medical outreach to people in selected communities in the state.
He said regular training of security officials was important in the face of new threats to national security, adding that Edo’s current status as the most peaceful state in the country, was due in part, to the partnership with the Nigerian Army.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, said tackling contemporary security challenges in the country required a more robust logistics plan.
He noted that to a large extent, logistics determined the capability of any army to perform its duties.
Buratai, who was represented by Maj.-Gen. Ademoh Salihu, explained that it had become expedient to have a more efficient and effective logistics model for the Nigerian Army through public private partnership.
He said the Army’s continued dependence on importation of military hardware has had adverse effects on its operations, especially in the fight against insurgency in the North-East.
He commended the combat service support corps for their relentless service in the fight against insurgency in the country and urged them to leverage on the three-day training programme.
The chief of army staff said the training was an opportunity to fashion out ways to enhance their capacity in the provision of logistics to nip in the bud the security challenges facing the country.
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Edo 20 mini stadiums will be ready mid 2019, says Commissioner
The Edo Government on Tuesday said that construction work on the 20 mini stadiums it awarded would be completed by the middle of 2019.
The State Commissioner for Youth and Special Duties, Mr Mika Amanohka, gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Benin.
He said that the projects were sited in 18 local government areas of the state to uncover local sporting talents that abound at the grassroots.
“I can confirm to you that contract for the construction of the 20 mini stadiums have been awarded and it is the same contractor that will be handling the entire project to ensure uniformity.
“The government wants the entire mini stadiums to be the same; the one constructed at Oredo council should be the same as that in Owan West Local Government Council.
“Because of the importance attached to meeting the completion schedule, the contractor who has eight months to deliver the job, has already commenced fabrication of the steel to be used’’, he said.
Amanokha stressed that the completion of the 20 mini stadiums and the on-going reconstruction of Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin would transform sports development in the state.
The commissioner expressed confidence that the reconstruction of the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium would be completed by January 2019.
“It is a holistic work that is being carried out there. All the facilities at the stadium are being upgraded to international standard.
“From the all Covered Stand, Modern Seats, Press Gallery, Lawn Tennis Court, Olympic Size Swimming Pool and Indoor Sports hall, are all meant to reposition sports in the state’’.
He disclosed that the state government had presented a bill to the State House of Assembly to pass the bill for the setting up of Edo State Sports Commission.
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Ogbemudia stadium: Edo Govt. expresses satisfaction over ongoing reconstruction
Edo Government has expressed satisfaction on the level of work done on the reconstruction of Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin with optimism that it would be completed on schedule.
The Deputy Governor of the state, Philip Shaibu, stated this on Monday shortly after inspecting the stadium.
He said that the target of the state government for the stadium was for it to have a world class status, FIFA and Olympic standards.
Shaibu explained that the target of the administration for sports development was also to upgrade all sporting infrastructure in order to attract private sector participation and improve the economy of the state.
In his remarks, Abel Olanrewaju, the Engineer supervising the work, said Peculiar Ultimate Consult, the company handling the project would complete the job by January 2019.
Olanrewajualso promised that the company would deliver a 15,000 capacity stadium with natural football pitch, standard drains and expanded 8-track lane with 50 years warranty to meet Olympic standard.
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Obaseki accompanies Buhari on investment tour in China
The Edo State Governor is scheduled to accompany President Muhammadu Buhari on an investment tour in China following the federal government’s listing of several Edo State government’s projects which are backed by Chinese investors, on its itinerary.
The Chinese investors-backed big ticked projects in Edo State include the Benin River Port in Gelegele, the Benin Industrial Park and a modular refinery in Benin City, for which the Edo State Executive Council has approved a N700 million, as initial investment.
Sources familiar with the progress of the Edo-China investment collaboration, said “all these projects which Chinese investors have committed to, will receive final nod during the visit of president Buhari.”
Governor Obaseki was at the Chinese Embassy during the week for more consultations with officials of the People’s Republic of China, preparatory to the Buhari-led investment tour of the Asian country.
To further demonstrate the state government’s readiness to kick-start work on the modular refinery in Benin City, Obaseki on Friday at the weekly EXCO meeting, approved the release of N700 million as redeemable preference shares (investment) in the Edo Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited.
According to Obaseki, “the company will be involved in the production of petroleum and petrochemical products and other related businesses.
“The venture will enhance the local refining capacity, thereby increasing the volume of nahtha, kerosene, diesel and residual fuel oil products available in Edo State.”
He added that the venture “will create legitimate employment opportunities thereby reducing poverty and providing job opportunities for teeming youth in the communities and facilitate the establishment of a fabrication yard as proposed by the promoters, thereby creating basis for expertise, professionalism and further training in oil and gas industry.”
The take-off of the Edo Refinery and Petrochemical Company follows series of groundwork by the Obaseki administration that led to the setting up of Edo Investment Scheme Limited, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to hold N2 billion investment funds in which the Ministry of Finance Incorporation (MOFI) and the Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (EDSOGPADEC) which are to hold shares of 20 per cent and 80 per cent respectively, would facilitate the state’s investment in various initiatives across the oil and gas services, petroleum exploration, drilling and filling station, sales and supply of gas, oil agro allied products, petroleum and petrochemical products and other related businesses.
In the transaction design, the investment funds will be repaid in three years after the execution of the projects, besides the interest that will accrue to the state within the interim. The project will, in essence fund itself.
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Obaseki inspects CBN’s school project in Isi
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured the people of Isi-North in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of the state that the project executed by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) located in the area will be put to good use, as the state is in dire need of such structures for building local capacity to solve problems.
The Governor gave the assurance during an on-the-spot assessment of the completed CBN facilities, which include blocks of furnished classrooms and dormitory in Ward Seven, Isi-North, in Uhunmwode local council.
Obaseki emphasised that his administration would conceptualise plans on how best to utilise the facilities, adding that his administration will embark on the reconstruction of Isi Community Road during the dry season.
He noted: “I was informed of the facilities lying waste here and decided to come and see for myself. I want to assure and appeal to you all to give me three months to come out with a master plan on how best to utilise these facilities. During the dry season, I will make sure that the road linking this community is rehabilitated.”
The Governor, who adduced the improper handing over of the project by the CBN to the state as the reason for its non-capture in his administration’s plans, noted that the project would be put to good use.
According to him: “I came here to see for myself and to see how to put these facilities to best use, as we have urgent need of such structures for an educational institution. It’s very extensive, furnished and we will find use for it.”
The Principal of Elahor Grammar School, where the project was sited, Mr. Odigie Evbarmwenraya, said the blocks of classrooms and dormitory are fully equipped and officially handed over to the community on completion this year.
Mr. Odigie noted that “the projects are greatly underutilised and we needed to alert the government as the facilities here are of high standard and state-of-the-art, compared to those paraded by some conventional universities in the country.”
He said the contract for the facilities was awarded in 2014 and handed over to the community in 2018.
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Poor education funding: NUT gives Edo Govt. 21-days deadline
The Edo State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the State Government to provide adequate funding for education.
The ultimatum is contained in a nine-point communiqué, issued in Benin on Sunday.
The document was signed by the Chairman of the NUT in the state, Mr Pius Okhueleigbe, and the Acting Secretary, Mr Mike Itua.
The association warned that the government would face dire consequences if it failed to meet the demands of the body before the expiration of the ultimatum.
The union demanded immediate release of funds to cater for primary and secondary schools in the state, lamenting that teachers in public schools had been using their salaries to provide instructional materials.
The union also demanded immediate implementation of the 2013 to 2015 primary school teachers’ promotions as approved by the government and payment of outstanding salary arrears to teachers.
The body, similarly, sought the implementation of the N25, 000 minimum wage to all primary school teachers with the arrears.
According to them, no dime has been paid to anyone since 2016 when the State Government approved the minimum wage.
The union said the ultimatum became necessary, following the expiration of 45 days grace period it gave the government to mutually resolve issues at its meeting with the union last July.
The union decried what it described as a lack of manpower in public schools in the state, advising the government to commence immediate recruitment of about 9,000 teachers to meet the gap.
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We will not share Edo’s money – Gov. Obaseki
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that under his watch, money meant for the development of the state will not be shared.
Obaseki made the declaration at the Government House, in Benin City, the state capital, during the first-year anniversary celebration of the Edo State Task Force Against Human Trafficking.
“All Edo State Government’s money will be used for the development of the state. This is the brand of politics I have chosen to play. Our developmental challenges are so enormous and only a frugal and prudent utilisation of tax payers’ money would ameliorate the sufferings of our people,” he said.
The governor emphasised that “no matter the pressure and irrespective of the quarters such pressure would come from, I will not break my oath with Edo people, to provide purposeful leadership.”
He assured that his administration is opening up rural areas through the provision of infrastructure to stimulate the local economy and enhance the lives of the people.
He maintained that people will not embark on illegal and life-threatening journeys to Libya if there are structures that will support quality life at the grassroots.
“Taxpayers money is meant for development and it will be used to develop the state and make life better for our people. We are taking development to those in the grassroots where the need is greater. We will not share money like those we displaced from government.”
He assured that his administration’s “target is for Edo State to be ranked as one of the three most developed states by the end of my tenure, in infrastructural development, education, improving the business environment especially in the rural areas, amongst other indicators of growth and development.