By Simon Ebegbulem, Benin-City
It is a joyous moment for residents of Igbinaduwa, Upper Siluko, Textile Mill and 2nd East Circular roads in Benin City following the on-going road and drainage projects in the area by Edo State Government. Residents had abandoned their residences over the years after flood swallowed the homes.
But hope came when the Governor Adams Oshiomhole- led administration came into office in 2008 and decided to tackle the flood problem in the state head on. There was this belief that a certain goddess, popularly known as Mammy Water, resided in Upper Siluko, down to Teachers House, and had frustrated any effort by government to solve the flood problem in the area. However, when Oshiomhole came, after studying the situation with experts, it was agreed that, no matter how much is invested in road construction in the area, it will be a waste unless a solid erosion work was done, that will channel the flood from these area to the Ogba River.
That was how government came up with the N30billion Benin Water Storm Project. Today, the impact is being felt in the area as those who abandoned their homes have returned. The signs were obvious when Oshiomhole paid an unscheduled visit to the project sites, as a mammoth crowd welcomed the governor, expressing appreciation for finding solution to the flood problem. The 1.3km, 5 meter-deep underground drainage system linking Textile Mill Road to Ogba River through Igbinaduwa Street is one of the solid erosion projects inspected by Oshiomhole last Tuesday.
The governor took time to celebrate with the over joyed residents at Igbinaduwa, where he had to break protocol to attend a wedding ceremony in one of the houses which were abandoned but the owners are now back to their homes. His appearance at the ceremony, even when he was not invited, generated thunderous cheers from the celebrants, as the guests echoed ‘Osho Baba, Osho Baba, you too much, you too much’.
The governor, visibly happy for the appreciation expressed by the crowd, invoked the “precious blood of Jesus” to destroy any attempt to disrupt the ongoing projects in the state by persons he described as enemies of progress.
He vowed not to abandon any project at the expiration of his stay in Edo Govt. House in 2016.
“We will fight those we need to fight in order to do the projects we need to do. But that fight is informed by public interest and there is no going back. And as you can see what is going on around the country, all my enemies are falling one after the other and we are standing,”he said. “And by the grace of God, we will stand because God sees our heart and He covers us with the blood of Jesus, so no evil planned by man can stop the progress that we are determined to make for the benefit of the people of Edo. The verdict of the people is what matters.
You can see how people are happy with the work and that is my greatest joy. We are just coming from around the Teachers House; you have seen what is obviously, by any standard, what is passed for a miracle because people gave up, that Mammy Water had taken over that area. And you could see the feeling of people driving on the road.
You can see the depth of the drainage and, right on top of it, we are constructing a road that will connect Ogba River, Textile Mill Road and, under it, we have flood going. This is part of the Benin City Master Plan.
And, from the reaction of the people who know what this place used to be, you can see their joy. That, to me, is the verdict. “
I am satisfied that, at this time when people are debating whether or not people are able to pay salaries or not, we are not only paying, we are also working. And I have made the point that we will not abandon any project. Our task as managers is to find solution to unforeseen challenges and make sure that we keep the Edo project going”.
