The Edo State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in September’s election, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, on Tuesday assured Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the state of his preparedness to run an inclusive government that would cater for the needs of all people of the state.
At an interactive session with representatives of the CSOs at Protea Hotel, Benin City, the state capital, Ighodalo said: “My resolve is to run an all-inclusive government that will enable citizens of Edo State to enjoy the dividends of good governance”.
He, however, challenged the CSOs to speak up whenever there seems to be a deviation from what is normal and acceptable to rational minds. “You have to be even more focused because we have to hold leadership accountable”, he charged.
He highlighted his policy directions and programmes which, he said, would be implemented for the benefits of the people across board. He said emphasis would be on security, infrastructure and industrialisation.
Ighodalo promised to ensure a conducive market environment for the state’s women to do their businesses.
“l will be accessible by having constant bi-annual meetings between government and relevant stakeholders. We will create a government that will be auto-pilot, building sustainable businesses by developing private sector participation in the economy of the state. We will provide strategic solutions to stopping extortion of traders through an inclusive tax regime system. There will be intensive investigation in addressing extortion and exploitative systems aimed at creating a suitable environment to meaningfully engage Edo youths and employable demographics. We will leverage on loans and grants from the Diaspora to create capital availability for entrepreneurial usage”.
The interactive session was convened by a former chairman of Ovia South Local Government Area,Hon. Destiny Enabulele, and had in attendance about 70 civil society members.
Edo State CSOs spokesperson, Barrister Abraham Oviawe, who delivered a welcome speech, said that the CSOs were interested in knowing how Ighodalo would tackle the problems of insecurity, poverty, high cost of living, and infrastructure if elected as governor of the state.
Human right activist, Comrade Sabina Idowu Osehebo said: “We want to know what you intend to focus on and deal with so that the people can say, yes, he did this”.
Also, the President of the Traders Welfare Union of Nigeria, Comrade Lucky Orukpe wondered why farm produce is costlier in Edo State than in Lagos when produce is taken to Lagos from Edo State.
Another human rights activist, Comrade Roy Oribhabor wondered why there is no constant power supply when power remains one of the most critical drivers of economic prosperity.
