By Gabriel Enogholase,  Benin

AS Comrade Adams Oshiomhole bids farewell to the state after his eight years of stewardship to the state of Edo, there are sectors which his administration found challenging. Among them are Agriculture, Sports, Tourism, Industrialization, Government Reservation Area (GRA) roads and Esan land (Edo Central Senatorial zone) in terms of appointments and development of infrastructure. His successor will be scoring points to look into these areas:

Obaseki & Oshiomhole

AGRICULTURE:

AGRICULTURE used to be the main stay of the economy of the state right from the defunct Mid-West and Bendel States as it is blessed with huge agricultural potentials. The state was noted for the production of timber, rubber and oil palms among other agricultural products in the past especially in the First Republic before the crude oil became the mono economy of the nation.

However, this potential has not been harnessed by successive governments including that of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. Agriculture experts say that if agriculture is properly harnessed, it can generate an average of N2billion to the state coffer monthly and create wealthy individuals and corporate bodies that would establish large farms and agricultural processing facilities and thus generate employment to millions of the unemployed in the state.

SPORTS

Edo state, right from the days of Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia to some of the administrators or governors before now did fairly well in sports. Ogbemudia’s time was excellent. But one cannot say so of the Oshiomhole administration. The famous Bendel Insurance Football Club which brought pride to the people of the state suffered relegation through long neglect even before Oshiomhole’s administration. But hopes of reviving the club during this era were dashed.

The Institute of Physical Education Afuze now renamed Michael Imoudu College of Physical Education just exists in name. The College is now all weeds. . School sports competitions through which the likes of Brown Ebewele, Peter Okodogbe, Felix Imadiyi, Comfort Ighagbon, Faith Idehen and other notable sports men and women including footballers    that    have made Nigeria proud were neglected before Oshiomhole’s time. But he could not help too although the Okpekpe International Road Race is a huge credit to the Oshiomhole’s administration aside the renovation of the Benin Stadium.

INDUSTRIALIZATION

Edo state has over the years invested in several industries. In the First Republic, the government of the late Denis Osadebe established the Okpella Cement Factory, Ughelli Glass Company, Asaba Textile Mill among others while the Samuel Ogbemudia government consolidated on this through the establishment of several industries across the length and breadth of the defunct Bendel state.

But today, companies like Bendel Breweries have suffered total neglect. Ava Cement Factory which was nearing completion during the Lucky Igbinedion administration could not be completed under Oshiomhole. Bendel Flower Mill, Ewu, Bendel Insurance Company Ltd, have all been abandoned.

TOURISM

Tourism could not be harnessed as the culture of Edo state holds a lot for the world to experience if structured in a great way. The state has annual festivals such as the Igue Festival, masquerade and cultural exhibitions that could attract tourism benefits if harnessed. There are the Benin Moat, museums, the royal palace of the Oba of Benin, Igun eromwon quarters, Tomb stones of Captain Philips at Ughoton, Chief Ogiamien Palace, sand beaches of Agenebode, Ososo Tourist centre, Lampese crocodile lake etc. These could be money spinning ventures if properly harnessed.

BENIN GRA ROADS

Roads in the GRA areas of Benin did not get deserved attention under Oshiomhole. The governor once said, when asked about the the roads in the GRA that his concern was to build roads for the poor in other parts of Benin and the state. Today, as the governor bids good bye to Edo government house, the GRA roads remain in bad state. Oshiomhole’s successor may have to address this.

REHABILITATION OF SCHOOLS

Although encomiums could be showered on the Oshiomhole administration in the area of rehabilitation of some primary and secondary schools across the state, the schools are bereft of learning facilities such as desks, chairs, laboratories, boarding facilities, sporting facilities and teaching and non teaching staff. Just as the hood do not make the monk, education without basic facilities could be faulty.

The State owned Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma named after its founder and first Executive Governor of the defunct Bendel State late Prof. Ambrose Alli is in shambles . Some of its   courses have had their licenses withdran by the National Universities Commission (NUC). The University is bereft of infrastructure development, except the few ones that were provided by the public-spirited individuals. Godwin Obaseki could look into this.

PORTABLE WATER

The state urban water board could not even drill one borehole during the period under review. Ministry of Energy and Water Resources could not provide portable water to the state.

ESANLAND

There were audible grumbles and sometimes public outcry by the people of Esaland in Edo Central Senatorial district. They complained of marginalisation in the areas of infrastructure and political appointments. In terms of appointments, of the over 35 Permanent Secretary in the state, only four were appointed from Edo Central. These are the areas Godwin Obaseki, to be sworn in today would have to address as he settles down to governance.