The Usen Community in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State has given kudos to Governor Adams Oshiomhole for the landmark infrastructural development in their community.
Led by the Elawure of Usen, His Royal Highness Oba Oluogbe II, the community said the construction of the 6-lane Siluko road linking three Local Government areas of Oredo, Egor and Ovia South West has opened up the rural areas such that local farmers can now transport their farm produce with ease to the urban centre.
The Elawure said, “Mr. Governor, on behalf of the people of Usen in Ovia South West, North East and Egor Local Government areas, I want to thank you most sincerely for the wonderful work done on Upper Siluko Road which gave us a link between Ovia South West and North whose people had found it difficult over the years to transport their farm produce to Benin City. Sir, with the construction of Siluko Road, the cost of transportation of goods and services has been reduced tremendously for the advantage of the common man.
“We are highly delighted and honoured as a community to be your guests today, which will forever remain in history of your administration in Edo State as we are gradually moving towards the end of your wonderful and godly performance and go-getter reign. It is not possible to vote you for the third time.
“Mr. Governor sir, you would recall when you visited the local government during your campaign in 2012, we drew your attention to the poor situation of Osasuyi Primary School, Usen as one of the primary schools in the area without a red roof. You directed the relevant ministry or agency to do something about it immediately. In 2013, Osasuyi Primary School which now habours two schools was given a holistic renovation with modern seats.
“We are grateful to you for this wonderful gesture. The joy of the community knows no bounds. We extend happiness and appreciation to you.”
Responding, Governor Oshiomhole asked the community not to relent in their support for the government, saying “I want to thank you for your support and prayers and I ask you to continue to support us because this remaining last mile is extremely important. How we started is important, what we do having started is important but even more important is how we finish. Our prayer is that we finish well, and finish even stronger.
“Finishing well, the Siluko road that you mentioned is one of the flagship projects that will affect three local governments; Egor, Ovia North East and Ovia South West, it also creates positive impact on the people who have abandoned their houses around Teachers’ House. Last week as I was passing, I saw a new building coming up there and I felt very excited because in our tradition, it is usually something as devastating as war that can make a man and his family to pack his loads and abandon a house that he had labored to build. When you stand around Teachers’ House, you see so many houses that have been abandoned by people who sweat so hard to build those houses.
“PDP made us to believe that Edo State is not viable, it is a civil service state, therefore there is nothing anybody can do. In the case of Siluko, I think the people were told that the place had been taken over by evil forces called mammy water and so, there was nothing government could do and it was beyond the capacity of government.
“But I did say in my campaigns that if elected, we would do everything that PDP said was not possible. So, I am very proud of that road and I am happy that you have come even before we finish it fully to appreciate what we have done so far.
“Between now and April, obviously before the rains start, the 6-lane road will be fully completed. We are already erecting street light poles on it because the people have suffered for so long and we think they deserve, not just a 6-lane road but also one that is well lit, so that at night, people can have fun driving on that road without fear.”
“I want to thank you for the support you have been giving me and I trust that when we produce our candidate who understands how we have managed so far and doesn’t therefore need to go back to school to discover what our secret is. He already knows the secret and so, he just continues and even improves on it. He will avoid my own mistakes because if we were building a house together, he knows where the pillars are, he knows where the concrete is but if it is a new person coming into the house, he has to excavate to find out where the columns are that is sustaining the roofs.
“I am sure God will help us to get a candidate and a governor that recognizes that Edo State is about the people, and not about individual or family interest and I am sure with your prayers, your royal highness, we will arrive there and I trust that you will extend to the person, the same support that you have extended to me.”
To show their appreciation, the Royal father, on behalf of the community, prresented some tubers of yam and antelopes to the Governor.