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This publication is the third in the series of the excerpts from the speech of the comrade governor Adams Aliu Oshiomhole delivered six years ago at the formal declaration of his candidature for the governorship of Edo State in 2007.
We have continued to have rulers instead of leaders in the state, this is the reasons why the state has remain in one point for so long. The comrade governor is a true leader we have had in a long while and his transformation agenda in the state has shown that he is God sent.
All we need in the state is a leader, not just a leader but a good one that we have found in Adams Aliu Oshiomhole. He has kept to his words and that has changed the fortune of the state and the economy and lives of citizens. He has shown and prove that Edo state can walk again, Infact it is now walking. Not only walking but running.
This is a winning team and very dangerous to change a wining team.
This speech will let you know why you must vote for the comrade governor come July 14, 2012. He need the vote to return him to power and it will enable him continue with the development in the state and make life meaningful for all in the state. Read on….
The priorities –production, Infrastructure and Education (PIE). Primary and Post-primary Education.
Encourage communities to co-inuest in education and co-manage secondary schools with the state government. Primary will be co-managed with local governments. To effectively coordinate this partnership, we will make provision for stronger community participation in the schools management boards.
Our government will restore, renovate and refurbish at least two secondary schools and two primary schools in each local government area within one year of our stewardship. The idea is to develop these selected schools into models of high academic, moral, administrative and infrastructural standards.
The overall restoration agenda will include provision for adequate staffing and for the motivation of teaching and non-teaching staff. Our vision is to restore the respectability of the teaching profession in Edo state, such that the teacher once again becomes the pivot of academic excellence the restoration of moral values among our youth.
The physical restoration agenda will be targeted at the precision of adequate furniture, libraries, laboratories, facilities for sports, recreation and leisure. We envision a school system that enhances the totality of the well being of students-academic, moral, social and cultural.
We will maximize the use of local materials, appropriate technology and labour –based approach in the restoration projects. The models we intend to restore will be designed and built with stabilized lateral bricks, which have proven to be strong, environmentally appropriate and aesthetically appealing.
This construction methodology will produce positive spin-ofts in other areas. For instance, we will encourage the private sector to invest in the commercial production of stabilized lateral bricks. Additionally, the emphasis on labour –based technology will impact on employment and empower local communities from which labour will be sourced.
We will encourage private incensement in education, minimum standards will be set and enforced for private school concerning precision of adequate physical facilities, teaching and learning aid and quality of teachers. This will require invigorating the Inspectorate Division of the Ministry of Education.
A plan will be worked out with the local government to accelerate the school restoration programme after the initial first year work.
We will also strengthen the colleges of education and other tertiary institution to train and retrain teachers.
Our government will abolish summarily all frivolous levies and changes. We ensure that no child is denied access to education on account of the economic circumstances of his or her parents.
TERTIARY INSTITUTION
We will improve the standards of teaching and learning in the higher school system and thus, boost the quality of human resources produced in the state.
At the core of the strategy to attain this will be enhanced funding of our higher Institutions- Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, College of Education, Ekiadolor, Usen Polytechnic, Michael Imoudu College of Physical Education, Afuze, college of Agriculture, Igboriakhi, and school of Nursing, Benin . The strategy will encompass physical restoration and expansion as well as construction of fresh lecture theatres, classrooms, hostels, libraries and laboratories.
We will encourage public-private partnership in modernizing these institutions. Where necessary, scholarships and bursaries will be awarded be gifted students and children indigent of parents.
We will also improve the working conditions of academic and non-academic staff and make their remuneration more competitive.
In our effort to improve the quality of education, we create a culture of active partnership and engagement of such stakeholders a student, unions, workers unions (of both academic and non-academic staff) PTAs, communities, private school owners and NGOs.
Prioity Two-Infrastructural Restoration (Roads, water and power)
In the area of infrastrural restoration, emphasis will be placed on roads, water and power. Within three months of coming into office, we will complete stocktaking of the state of roads and water infrastructure to determine the scope and peace of the restoration agenda.
One identified aspect of the challenge of road restoration, especially in Benin City, is the problem of flooding and erosion. This will require innovative solution, including channeling of floodwaters and restoration of historical moats and natural pond sites.
Certainly, the challenge of restoration is enormous given the level of dilapidation and inadequacy vis-à-vis the expectations of the public. It is in this respect that we will convene an Edo State Development Summit, which will help measures to be implemented, such as:
Roads-comprehensive pre-restoration assessment of the state of existing road-both urban and rural. Needs-assessment on the desivability and technical of opening up of new roads.
Discussion with the federal government development partners and the private sector over resource-mobilization and financing options.
Empower the Ministry of Works to undertake routine roads maintenance.
Water-In accordance with our belief that water is life, we will revive the water boards, expand existing water works and refurbish water distribution infrastructure were they have collapsed. Initiate a mass coverage borehole construction programme targeted particular at rural areas and to supplement water precision to urban areas.
Power- work with electricity service providers to extend power supply to the rural communities to complement the state government’s rural electrification programme.
Continued next week.
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