Governor Obaseki ‘Romances’ Okpebholo, Says He Doesn’t Expect Him To Reverse His Reforms

By Akinwale Kasali

With just two weeks to the end of his eight years administration, Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki seems to be ‘romancing’ and cajoling, Monday Okpebholo, the incoming Governor.

Obaseki while fielding questions with Journalists in Lagos, expressed optimism that some of his administration’s reforms will outlive the incoming administration in the State.

He is expected to leave the saddle as the Number One Citizen of the State on November 11.

He toldJournalists who taised on concerns about the continuity of some of his reforms after his administration that his government had made efforts to institutionalise some of them.

Obaseki said: “The people are very aware of our reforms and legacies we are leaving behind. I don’t think because there is a change in government, they will change some of these reforms.

“Even if the government that is coming doesn’t support or encourage them as we used to, they (reforms) will not disappear.

“Beyond this, in the reforms we have undertaken, we have institutionalised or started the process of institutionalising some of them.

“The people know, and I doubt if they will keep quiet for long, allowing things to go back to what it used to be without complaining or shouting.

“I’m optimistic that they (reforms ) will last,” he said.

He said that workers and parents whose children were enjoying EdoBEST e-learning education and other initiatives, would not allow the incoming All Progressives Congress-led administration to tamper with them.

He said that his administration had restored respect to civil service, revolutionalised education, improved electricity, internet connectivity and road infrastructure, among others.

Obaseki also stated that the roles of the Government is to provide infrastructures.

“What are the critical infrastructures we need today? Fundamentally, in Nigeria, people need electricity, connectivity, and roads,” he said.

The Governor said that with a robust partnership with the private sector, the State Government has succeeded in encouraging electricity generation by attracting firms like Azura and Ossiomo Power.

He said that this was to create the state-owned electricity markets and to encourage investments in the distribution of power within the state.

Obaseki claimed that his administration has ensured stable electricity to power public institutions and infrastructure in metropolitan Benin City.