Governor Godwin Obaseki has called for more public-private partnership in Edo State, even as he commissioned six projects in Igarra, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.
The State Employment and Expenditure for Results (SEEFOR) completed the projects, which included a 300KVA transformer at Ogogoro road and a renovation of 2.4km Momodu Ajayi road at Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, Edo North Senatorial District of the state.
Speaking during the official opening of the projects at Igarra, Obaseki, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Taiwo Akerele, urged the people of the state to be more committed to the state’s development in order to enjoy a good standard of living.
He revealed that the state government adopted counterpart funding to complete the projects with international partners and the community also contributing to the development.
He said government is collaborating with the United Nations (UN), World Bank and other developmental partners to assist with resources through counterpart funding to ensure improved quality of life of our people.
He however explained that this partnership is not exclusive to Edo North.
He was quoted in a statement issued by the Chief Press secretary, John Mayaki as saying, “What we have witnessed today is a replication of what is happening across the state. For us to continue to attract developmental effort, every community in the state must be organised and have a Community Development Association. They must have a community development account where resources can be pooled together to support developmental projects such as that of World Bank, EU and other developmental agencies. This is so because when communities contribute in project execution, they have ownership and protect such projects,” he said.
In addition, he commended the efforts of individuals who contributed to the counterpart funding on behalf of the community in the execution of some of the projects, while also calling on Nigerians in diaspora to contribute towards community development as a way of giving back to their fatherland.
The World Bank and European Union fund the SEEFOR projects, and the collaboration is to hold for five years in Edo, Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers States.
Other commissioned projects include a renovated block of six classrooms at Comprehensive High School, Igarra; a block of three classrooms at Opuze Primary school; the renovation of a 550-metre long with asphalt and drainages, and installed street signs at Igarra.
Meanwhile, the State Government has reiterated its earlier resolve not to spare violators of the Child Rights Act, saying street traders and hawkers, when apprehended, would also be sanctioned in accordance with relevant laws.
Governor Godwin Obaseki made the declaration in Benin, when he received in audience, members of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Edo State Chapter, led by its Chairman, Prince Roy Oribhabor.
He said the law which received a boost with the establishment and inauguration of family court in the Benin High Court last week, must be enabled to function properly so that justice could be served on issues of child rights violation.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, the governor decried the activities of street traders and hawkers in Benin City for converting walkways and other public places to emergency market places.
Earlier in an address, the Chairman, Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Prince Roy Oribhabor, commended Governor Obaseki for banning all forms of revenue collection by private agents.
Oribhabor pledged group’s support for the administration, adding that they would not however, shy away from appraising government policies and programmes from time to time.
