IPAC, CRPP to discuss Oshiomhole’s $75 million loan move

AS the debate over the proposed $75 million loan by the Edo State Government rages, especially from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has said it would convene a stakeholders’ meeting to put to rest the controversy dogging the proposal.

Chairman of IPAC, Frank Ukonga told The Guardian that “we will call the meeting to know the true position of things as regards this loan proposal which the state government is saying is for the benefit of the state.

On its part, the state chapter of the Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) said it supports the move by government to get the loan from the World Bank for the execution of “laudable and people-oriented projects in the state.”

It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had written the Senate to approve the sum of N14.7 billion sought by the state for infrastructures.

A statement in Benin City signed by chairman of CRPP, Samson Isibor said if the loan were approved by the World Bank, the state governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole would judiciously utilise the fund to better the lot of the people of the state as he had done.

“The coalition, therefore, appreciates and supports the Comrade Governor for seeking the loan from the World Bank to execute laudable and people oriented projects. Since his assumption of office about seven years ago, he has executed an uncountable numbers of developmental projects such as road networks in rural and urban centres, the on-going modern Central Hospital in Benin, schools among others”, it said.

The group, however, implored the Senate to approve the loan without further delay, as it would be used to improve the lots of Edo people.

It condemned the PDP State chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, Senators Matthew Urhoghide and Clifford Ordia for opposing the facility, describing their action as anti-people.

Meanwhile, Edo indigenes in Europe have lauded the achievements of Governor Oshiomhole since taking office in 2008. Consequently, the group awarded him the best governor to have been produced by the state since its creation in 1991.

They also honoured the Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu just as two commissioners – Did Adodo of Ministry of Establishment and Special Duties and his Higher Education counterpart, Washington Osifo – were equally singled out for encomiums.

In a statement, signed by Francis Okoemu and made available to The Guardian in Benin City, the group endorsed Odubu as its preferred successor to Oshiomhole whose tenure expires next year.

Okoemu, an Executive Director of Blackwell Security Consultants based in the United Kingdom, described the occasion, attended by about 5,000 indigenes of Edo State resident in Europe, as the “first time all sons and daughters of Edo State in Europe will come together to celebrate and review the development in our state”.

“I must tell you how blessed we are to have such a great son, brother and father as Adams Oshiomhole. But we Edos here today are asking if the constitution would allow it for Oshiomhole to continue forever as our governor due to the infrastructural development in our dear state since the coming of Oshiomhole.

“Since we cannot change the constitution to allow Oshiomhole to continue forever, we have someone who is credible and trust worthy as Oshiomhole to be governor. We ask Dr. Odubu to come out and contest for the 2016 governorship of our state,” he canvassed.