Obaseki promises regime of opportunities, not patronage

The Governor-elect of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, yesterday explained that his government would create an enabling environment for development, rather than political patronage for his supporters.

Obaseki, who spoke to journalists at his campaign office in Benin City, said he would maintain the policy thrust of Governor Adams Oshiomhole.He said his supporters would be encouraged to explore the available opportunities in the state to empower themselves, while giving priority to job creation, infrastructure and education.

“Like I said during the electioneering the focus would not change in terms of infrastructure and education. But added emphasis would be on job creation and empowerment.

“This is why I would need to focus on the budget by ensuring that I get enough appropriation to execute these social contracts that were promised,” he said. While promising to continue the roads construction policy of the out-going government, he added: “My first assignment would be to constitute a team to get next year’s appropriation ready, because we have to hit the ground running.”

The governor-elect said he would design a system to address a people’s parliament periodically to enable the people to know how well his government is performing.

He said this has become necessary so that the people could be carried along in governance, instead of waiting till the time of re-election before leaders are held accountable.

According to Obaseki said he is not good at playing to the gallery to impress people, adding that he knows that there is work to be done and therefore there is the need to think through and get the resources to do the work.

On women empowerment, he said his administration would not only rely on the Ministry of Women Affairs, but would also work with the party structure.He added that the party’s women leaders across the state would be consulted to determine their areas of needs and how best to tackle them.