East Circular Elders Forum Send SOS To Gov Okpebholo Over Abandoned Projects
By Simeon OSAJIE
The Elders, leaders and concerned residence of East Circular Elders Forum, namely, Ukpoigbivbiore, Uwa, Ofumwengbe Evbarunegbeifo and part of 2nd East Circular road in Benin City, Edo State capital have called on the Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo to come to their rescue over flood that is causing havoc in the communities whenever its rains.
Speaking on behalf of the communities to journalists during a peaceful protest to register their displeasure over the abandonment of the communities, the secretary of the forum, Omoregbee Nosakhare narrated how they made several appeals to the immediate past governor of the state, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and the present governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
According to Nosakhare, “The street in question is located at Ward 11 (Eleven) Oredo Local Government Area at 1st East Circular road, opposite St. Joseph Catholic Church, Benin City.
Ukpoigbivbiore Street is a water-logged area with erosion collection of over 44 streets/lanes that stressed from Esigie Street Junction through Ogiso Market down to Uwa Junction.
“The neglected project by past administration has drained us of our happiness, coupled with nightmare and unwarranted death.
“Getting here, the water has no alternative than to cause havoc. The underground drain and others in the city constructed by Professor Ambrose Alli/General Osaigbovo Ogbemudia both of blessed memory has long been covered with debris with no attention to desilt, non-redirecting the volume of water to a better secured direction. We have long be agitating for this clean-up as can be seen on the attached letters.
“Most worrisome is that, the residence have long be sacked from the street with no respite n view leaving the entire street to a desolate waste and a hide-out for thieves.
“We have done the needful by alerting previous Governments with relevant information on how best the erosion can be addressed.”
Going further, Nosakhare added, “It was only in 2014, the government of Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole came with a succour with designs that saw 2nd East Circular Road reconstructed with view of addressing this menace, but sadly, the then commissioner for works who later became SSG in the state allegedly diverted the plan by sinking another underground drain at Uwa, between 2nd/Ist East Circular road with no positive impact at the main tunnel at 1st East Circular road; thereby worsen the condition.
“We have cried with voices and pen to the extent that the road ‘Ukpoigbivbiore’ was listed among the 91 projects roads to be constructed in 2022 by the government of Obaseki, but, again subverted and unattended while all others were given attention.
“We are trusting and also banking on you sir, to please rescue us by re-visiting the designs/drawings that were approved by the Ministry of Works, as submitted by the consulting firm engaged by the Ministry in 2021.
“Presently, we are deeply in pain as majority of those who laboured in the struggle are either depressed or dead.”
