*Ize-Iyamu                                                                                  * Obaseki                            



By Ebomhiana Musa

The  people of Edo State have a fresh date with destiny tomorrow, September 28, 2016. Yes, for the good people of Edo State, it's a date with destiny. Collectuvely, they will decide whether to remain on the path of progress or to retrogress by putting the vehicle on the reverse gear. The 1.9 million registered voters in the state will speak with their PVC on behalf of others who are either apolitical or are nonchalant in a state of about 4 million people. The choice before them is that between light and darkness, between developments and underdevelopment, between remaining in the Promised Land and going back to Egypt! Clearly, these are the choices before the people of Edo State on September 28. Based on what is on ground, I know that the electorate will make the right choice on September 28.

 Politically, the people of Edo State are matured, they have come of age having witnessed governance under the two major political parties now jostling for the Osadebey Avenue. First, the People's Democratic Party, PDP from May 1999 to November 2008, a period of about 10 years. Then came the Action Congress, AC, Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN and now the All Progressive Congress, APC in the saddle since year 2008 to date, a period of about eight years. In all sense of responsibility, I don't believe there is any basis for comparison between the two major political parties. To me, it's like comparing light with darkness.

  A comparative analysis of their performances in terms of projects and human capital developments clearly shows that the APC is lighter years ahead. These are neither  political talks nor sentiments but visible and verifiable assertions. A teaser, the World Bank would not give a dime to a non-performing government anywhere in the world. The hues and cries over the loan portfolio of the present government are nothing but share jealousy on the part of the PDP. In fact, that the loans were granted in the first place sends a clear message to the decerning world, a measure of confidence in the APC administration, a fiscally responsible government with the ability to manage the facility so obtained responsibly and pay back when due, especially given certain verifiable economic indices. 

 The World Bank and indeed, other local banks did not come to being during the time of the APC government in Edo State. They have always been there, even during the 10 years tenure of the PDP in Edo State and they would continue to be there. Unfortunately, the PDP administration was not resourceful enough to access these facilities to develop the state. Yet, most of these facilities are either of very low interest rate or out right interest-free with long period of repayment. However, it takes a focused, resourceful, fiscally disciplined and people-centered government to think and work in this direction rather than go cap in hand every month for federal allocations.

 The modest efforts of the APC administration in the last eight years is visible across the three senatorial zones, the 18 local government areas and across the 192 wards in the state. Every ward has at least one red roof school fully equipped with standard furniture, ceiling fans and glass windows as against the ramshackle schools inherited. Three world class hospitals have been built in three senatorial districts of the state. Ewohinmi (Central), Otuo (North) and Benin (South). If truly health is wealth, the APC government has brought wealth to the door steps of the people. 

 If really, the provision of portable water keeps water born deaseseses in check and make the people healthy, then, the APC government has made conscious efforts in this disregard. It brought in industrial drilling rigs to provide borehole across the 192 wards in the state. Even some of the most difficult terrains in Esan land and Afemailand, where the PDP told the people that it was practically impossible to reach water table, the APC proved them wrong with the provision of water. Again, these are no fluke but verifiable projects. 

 What about the opening up of the long-forgotten areas of the three Ibie, Okpekpe, Imiegba, Itsukwi and Imiakebu in Etsako East Local Government Area of the state. High rocky mountains were leveled to construct world class roads to these areas complete with deep drainage.

 In Benin, the state capital, the Kingsquare whuch used to a haven for lunatics and dumping ground for bodies has been made a mini tourist center.Oba Market Road through to Siloko Road, New Benin through to Upper Lawani to access Aduwawa, the Airport Road, the flood reclamation projects at the Teachers House, Tomline ( five junction) and Queen Ede are all testimonials to the construction and reconstruction of dilapidated roads in the metropolis. The reconstruction of Apkapava Road, Sakponba Road down to the by-pass and the adjourning srteets, the long abandoned Second Circular Road, the lighting up of Sapele Road and above all, the multi-million dollars World Bank support storm water project aimed at checking the menace of flooding in Benin.

 Lest we forget that the APC government upgraded the College of Education, Ekiadolor to a degree awarding University of Education and named it after a renowned educationist from Benin. It built ultra- modern lecture theater and students hostels at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, increased the monthly subvension from the PDP's N50million to N250million.

 The rate at which corporate bodies and government agencies throng Edo State to hold workshop, seminars, annual general meetings and other programmes are clear indications of the relatively high level of security in the state. The tourist industry, especially in Benin is growing in leaps and bounds, night life has returned fully and the hotels are springing up by the day. An indication of the peace and security in the state for businesses to strive. 

 One can go on and on citing the various areas the APC government has intervened in all facets of life of the people of Edo State in the last eight years. And these can not be wished away by whatever propaganda as we count down to September 28. So, as a people, collectively our destiny is in our hands and we have a date with it on  September 28.

 Musa is Benin-based public affairs analyst.