News

OPINION: Interrogating The Simple Agenda, Erosion And Flooding In Edo

Published

5 years ago

July 24, 2020

Don Ofure Osehobo

In most parts of Benin City, today, the fear of rains is the beginning of wisdom. The reason is that whenever it rains, almost every part of the city gets flooded and residences are turned into swamps; some for days and weeks and others, months. As a result, tales of woe fill the lips of most residents as flood waters envelope their homes, overwhelm the surroundings, and destroy properties like cars, and household items like furniture among others.

Few years ago, the Edo State government revived the Benin City Masterplan and articulated the Storm water project to deal with the perennial problems of flooding and erosion. The project was designed to channel the flood waters through artificial underground canals. However, Governor Godwin Obaseki rather than continuing with the project, abandoned it. Unfortunately too, the PDP of which he is now a member has never articulated any plan for the flood menace in the state capital or the other communities. It will be therefore be disastrous for the state, if the party finds itself back in power.

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the Edo APC governorship candidate in this year’s election has a solution for this erosion and flood menace, which is a source of concern, not only for residents in the state capital but the entire state. He has aptly captioned and enunciated it under the heading, “Infrastructure Development and Urban Renewal Programme” in his Manifesto of Hope called Simple Agenda. With this plan, the new Edo state with Pastor Ize-Iyamu as Chief Executive, will adopt an integrated approach with new ways of building public works systems that is both cost and resource effective.

As part of his commitment, he will review the Benin Storm Water Project for speedy completion to ensure that the problem of perennial flooding in the state capital is taken care of. In addition, major erosion reclamation projects and sites in the state will be diligently tackled to their completion stage while his government honours all outstanding obligations to the World Bank and other relevant agencies.

This is will be backed up with the provision of both primary and secondary drains to accompany roads, to ensure the proper channelization of floodwaters to appropriate receptacles instead of the present practice where floodwaters are directed to residential or inhabited areas .

Towards this end, all the major roads and streets within Benin City and the 18 local government headquarters will be asphalted and in most cases, accompanied with walkways, drains and streetlights, in an unprecedented urban renewal scheme. The walkways plan to include bicycle tracks so as to encourage cycling, as most distances within the metropolis can be embarked on with bicycles as roads should be for all users and not motorists alone. In what the Simple Agenda envisage, even car owners would wish to own bicycles. This also will infuse a new culture for the environment and lead to bicycle plants/job creation and a reduction in fuel consumption. The idea is to bring what has worked well in China, Holland and the Scandinavian countries to Edo state. This will also help in no small way to erase the misconception that bicycles are for the poor.

On the reconstruction and rehabilitation of existing road networks in the state, the Simple Agenda objective is to bring many of Edo’s neglected communities back to life by building strategic roads, to link them with Highways or Express roads so they serve as alternative routes, when necessary.

As for Local Government roads, the agenda has a policy plan for collaboration between Local Government Council Chairmen and the State Government. This will be achieved by restoring autonomy to Local Governments in Edo state, so they can be encouraged to spend significant percentage of their allocations on road rehabilitation. In more specific terms, adequate funding will be extended to roads and drains at the local government areas, such that 10km of asphalted roads with accompanying road infrastructure will be constructed in each of the 18 Local Government Councils. Also the State Government under the leadership of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu will construct an average of 300km of roads to link major towns with the state capital. In addition, under the Simple Agenda, communities shall be encouraged to embark on self-help projects to which the LGAs and the state government shall contribute meaningfully.

Pastor Ize-Iyamu as a youth, saw this strategy working successfully during the period Dr Samuel Ogbemudia’s administration held sway in the good old days of Bendel State. His government will resuscitate this approach and take it to the highest level of community awareness and active participation.

With regards to all existing road construction projects, Pastor Ize-Iyamu hopes to complete all of them. With the Simple Agenda, he deliberately plan to create new towns and settlements around Benin City. He also plans a second bridge to link Upper St. Saviour and Ikpoba Hill not only to reduce traffic bottlenecks on the Ikpoba Hill axis and Murtala Muhammed Way junction of Sokponba road but also to boost commercial and industrial activities in the area.

The Simple Agenda also contains the plan to extend the Airport Road beyond the Iyekogba bridge to Evbuodia Utagba Village to join Ekenwan Barrack Road by Ojemai Farms. This means that all vehicles coming to Ring Road from Ekenwan Barrack, Ugbine, and even Ugbiyoko axis will access the Ring Road through his extended Evbuodia/Airport Road.

To ensure that all the projects for erosion and flood control, road construction and rehabilitation remain in good conditions all year round, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu will send a bill for the establishment of the Edo State Road Maintenance Agency to the State legislature. When established the agency, will have full complements of earth moving equipment at its state capital headquarters and all zonal offices in each of the three Senatorial Districts. The agency in collaboration with the State Ministry of Works, will have full responsibility for continuous road maintenance and rehabilitation across the state. The objective is reduce cases of road failures and the huge costs of fixing them.

From the above, it is obvious that the objective of the infrastructure development and urban renewal programme in the Simple Agenda is to bequeath to Edo state, durable physical structures and facilities that will promote decent living standards. Moreover, the deliberate policy is to eliminate waste and bequeath a state-of-the-art infrastructure across the state that will be affordable to maintain so that future generations of Edolites can utilize it and be proud of it.

Ofure Osehobo, a journalist writes from Benin City.

News

Edo SSG Calls On Media To Support Govt Policies, Assures Better Welfare

Published

12 minutes ago

December 18, 2025

Editor

L-R: Government House Public Relations Officer (PRO); Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Patrick Ebojele, Ph.D; Secretary to Edo State Government, Musa Ikhilor; Special Adviser to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Mr. Paul Ezewon during the courtesy visit.

The Secretary to the Edo State Government (SSG), Umar Musa Ikhilor, has called on members of the media to continue to support government policies and programmes through objective, professional and balanced reportage, describing them as critical stakeholders in governance.

Ikhilor made the call while receiving members of the Governor’s Press Crew, Edo State Government House, led by the Chief Press Secretary, Ebojele Akhere Patrick, PhD, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office as part of the season’s greetings.

Responding, Ikhilor expressed gratitude for the gesture, noting that it was thoughtful and symbolic.

According to him, the media plays an indispensable role in governance and public accountability.

He said, “Whatever it is that we do, it still will not matter much if we do not have you guys to be our eyes and our ears to report some of those things so that Edo people will be aware and people globally will be aware, and that is where you come in very important.”

The SSG further emphasized the strategic role of journalists, describing them as the fourth estate of the realm.

Ikhilor stated, “Because without the press, the government is blind, deaf and dumb. You are the ones we can see with and you are the ones we can hear with and talk with as well. So we consider you very critical stakeholders in the affairs of governance. That is the sincere sentiment of the government,”

He acknowledged the challenges faced by the media, particularly poor working conditions, and assured that the government was aware and already taking steps to address them.

He said, “Your working conditions have not been the best one would have expected. These are some of the things we have made recommendations to His Excellency the Governor, and he has promised from next year, after this budget by January, with a new budget that is coming, there will be something substantial to cater for the media.”

Explaining the initial constraints of the administration, Ikhilor noted that spending was limited by budgetary provisions inherited at the time the government assumed office.

He explained, “When we came in, we met a budget already prepared. We just tried and tinkered with it to pass it as at then November–December. Once you don’t have an appropriation, you can’t spend. That would be a criminal offence,”

The SSG urged journalists to remain professional and committed to truth, regardless of circumstances.

He said, “Your responsibility as a journalist, your first training, your first duty, is the pursuit of truth wherever you find it. Reporting should not be based on a special relationship. Professionalism actually means you are consistent and you deliver, whether the day is good or the day is bad.”

He encouraged the media to continue to support government policies and programmes through accurate and diligent reporting, stressing the importance of teamwork in effective communication.

Commending the press crew, Ikhilor added, “I have seen exceptional reports from a lot of reporters here. Our camera men have done very well in terms of proper coverage. Everybody needs to work together as a team for the story to come alive and for the story to be complete.”

Earlier, while presenting a gift on behalf of the team to the SSG in appreciation of his leadership and support, the Chief Press Secretary, Ebojele Akhere Patrick, PhD, said, “In the spirit of the season, I present this to you on behalf of the Governor’s Press Crew in appreciation of your effort as the engine room of government.”

News

Forest Reserve: Okpebholo Broker Peace Between Host Communities, Investors

Published

13 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Editor

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo state on Wednesday brokered peace between host communities and investors on the use of government forest reserve land for agricultural purposes and investors.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Hon Dennis Idahosa, appealed to the various stakeholders to always tow the line of peace at all times

Okpebholo noted that by virtue of the Land Use Act, the land in dispute belongs to the Edo state government.

The governor blamed activities of the previous administration of the state for the hostility between the investors and the host communities over the land that spreads across Ovia South West and Ovia North East Local Government Areas.

He accused the previous administration of arbitrarily allocating the said forest reserve to investors to without due consultation with host communities of Iguomon, Egbetta and Usen.

He stated that the meeting with stakeholders became expedient in order to straighten out facts and restrategize.

“We had three investors that want to invest in oil palm production in the council areas, which is in line with the vision of Governor Monday Okpebholo to turn the state into investment heaven.

“Today, we met with the critical stakeholders of Ovia South West and Ovia North East to ensure all interests are captured.

“The investors were here, the community leaders, led by the Elawure of Usen, Oba Wilson Oluogbe II, and Palace Chiefs all came.

“Initially, a 5 percent buffer was proposed by the previous administration, but based on the conversation we had today, the investors agreed to increase to 10 percent.

“Haven put into consideration that Ovia is an agrarian area, with 80 percent of people relying on subsistence farming for survival,” he stated.

Okpebholo maintained that part of the resolution involved the raising of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) by investors with their host communities to keep all parties involved in decision making.

IHe declared, “Our administration is people oriented. The interest of investors are paramount to us as well as the interest of our people.”

The Secretary to the Edo State Government (SSG), Musa Ikhilor stated that before the said land allocation to investors, the previous administration was supposed to have carried out diligent studies and a NEEDS assessment in relations to the communities.

He said basic steps ought to have been followed, such as meetings with Community Development Associations (CDA) with agreements reached on community development.

Historically, Ikhilor said Usen community started as a farm stead hence the need to carry such a community along in decision making on issues that affect their means of livelihood.

He further encouraged investors to engage in Corporate Social rlResponsibility (CSR) acts as well as put in place activities that promote job creation and general welfare of their host.

The Elawure of Usen, Oba Wilson Oluogbe II praised the Edo State Government for its intervention.

He appealed for communities to be carried along when critical decisions are being made, especially on issues that affect their livelihood.

The investors, included: Nimbel Shaw Limited; Professional Support Farms Limited and Steve Integrated Limited, commended Edo state government for the peaceful resolution of the matter.

News

Trump Places Nigeria, 14 Others On Partial Travel Restrictions To US

Published

1 day ago

December 17, 2025

Editor

The United States has partially suspended the issuance of immigrant and non-immigrant visas to Nigeria and 14 other countries, citing concerns on radical Islamic terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State operating freely in certain parts of the West African country.

Specifically, the classes of visas affected include the B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J Visas.

President Donald J. Trump, on Monday, signed a proclamation expanding and strengthening entry restrictions on nationals from countries with demonstrated, persistent, and severe deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information-sharing to protect the country from national security and public safety threats.

The United States also cited the Overstay Report, noting that Nigeria had a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 5.56 per cent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 11.90 per cent.

The Proclamation includes exceptions for lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, certain visa categories like athletes and diplomats, and individuals whose entry serves U.S. national interests. It narrows broad family-based immigrant visa carve-outs that carry demonstrated fraud risks, while preserving case-by-case waivers.

While the proclamation continues the full restrictions and entry limitations of nationals from the original 12 high-risk countries established under Proclamation 10949: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, it adds full restrictions and entry limitations on 5 additional countries based on recent analysis: Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria.

On October 31, the U.S. President Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)” for the persecution of Christians by violent Islamic groups.

In a Truth Social post, Trump hinted that the US will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria and may very well go into the country, “guns-a-blazing,” and that the military intervention “will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our cherished Christians.

In his first term, President Trump imposed travel restrictions that restricted entry from several countries with inadequate vetting processes or that posed significant security risks.

The Supreme Court upheld the travel restrictions put in place in the prior Administration, ruling that it “is squarely within the scope of Presidential authority” and noting that it is “expressly premised on legitimate purposes”—namely, “preventing entry of nationals who cannot be adequately vetted and inducing other nations to improve their practices.”

Trump in recent weeks has used increasingly loaded languages in denouncing African-origin immigrants.

At a rally last week he said that the United States was only taking people from “shithole countries” and instead should seek immigrants from Norway and Sweden.

In June 2025, President Trump restored the travel restrictions from his first term, incorporating an updated assessment of current global screening, vetting, and security risks.