Obaseki attributes Edo's progress to people-centric governance, pays August salary

The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has ordered the immediate payment of workers' August salaries ahead of the Eid-el Kabir celebrations next week, noting that the progress being recorded in the state is the result of a people-centric governance model adopted by his administration.

According to Obaseki, the focus of his team is the wellbeing of Edo people and residents and not a few individuals.

The payment of August salary on the 17th day of the month, the governor explained, is the result of the prudent and sound management of the state's resources, which has prioritised a robust reserve, grown over time, despite the massive investment in infrastructure and other critical sectors of the state.

Recall that in June, the state governor released funds to the local government councils to settle workers' salaries following the stand-off between the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) and the state governments, which resulted in the delay in salary payments in other states of the country.

Obaseki gave the order during the Second Anniversary Thanksgiving of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Christian Prayer/Contact Committee, held at Government House in Benin City, on Friday, August 17, 2018.

The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie Esq., said: "We cannot be sharing the money for the development of the state and still be able to meet up with our electoral promises to the people. Our focus is on the people, to develop the state and make life better for everyone."

He maintained that his administration has done well by fulfilling some of the promises he made during the electioneering campaign, such as the restoration of law and order, strengthening of critical institutions of government, creation of jobs and provision of infrastructure.

He added that pensioners no longer protest over delayed payment of their entitlements as they are now paid, as and when due, while the civil servants receive their credit alerts, on the 26th of every month.

He reiterated his administration's commitment to quality education with the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) programme, which is revolutionising teaching and learning in Edo schools.

"We spend $40 on every Edo child in the Edo-BEST programme and our children in the primary schools can now read. Every primary school in the state will be part of the Edo-BEST programme before the end of this administration," he assured, adding that the dream of his administration is to turn the state into the economic hub of the country.

The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the governor on religious matters and chairman APC Prayer/Contact Committee, Edo State, Pastor Eghosa Omoruyi, said that governor Obaseki is a blessing from God, to Edo people and residents, as he has touched the lives of many people in the state.

"This is just the second year and as a state we have experienced good governance with landmark achievements in critical sectors of the state, and it can only get better," Omoruyi said.

The General Overseer of Covenant Ministry International, Imo State, Bishop Chukwu Anayo, who also participated in the Thanksgiving Service, said the governor has made the state peaceful for people of various religious convictions to worship God.

"Prayer is very helpful, and you can see the impact as the governor has achieved huge developmental strides and the people are benefiting from his leadership style" Bishop Anayo added.

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R-L: Edo State Head of Service, Mrs. Gladys Idahor; Representative of Governor Godwin Obaseki and Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq.; Senior Special Assistant to Edo State Governor on Christian Religious Matters, Pastor Eghosa Omoruyi; Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Cooperatives and Employment, Barr. Emmanuel Usoh; and General Overseer, Covenant Ministry International, Bishop Chukwu Anayo, during the 2nd Anniversary Thanksgiving Service of APC Christian Prayer/ Contact Committee Edo State, at the Government House, Benin City, on Friday, August 17, 2018.

My man. I hope his heart is finer than his face