Edo Politics: Elder Pius Omonfuma thanks Governor Obaseki Over order on contractors handling road projects in Edo Central.

Elder Omonfuma & Gov Obaseki

By Prince Kelly O. Udebhulu.

EKPOMA- Elder Pius Omonfuma owner of GT Foods International and an APC chieftain in Edo central senatorial district has described Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, as one of the very few governors who are genuinely committed to the development of his state, through prudent management of the state resources as displayed since he became the state governor.

He also commended the governor for his vigorous step towards tackling the menace of Ekpoma roads that has threatened the people in the community over the years because of the bad roads network across the local government and environs, expressing optimism that with the order given to the contractors by the Governor, the works at Ekpoma-Uhumudumu–Iruekpen Road and the perennial flooding and death traps on the roads will soon be a thing of the past.

During the governor's inspection of ongoing road projects in Edo Central Senatorial District on Friday, September with the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Hon. Engr. Amiolemen Osahon, the Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has ordered that all the road projects in the zone must be completed as soon as the rains subside.

Obaseki gave the order to Skaff International Nigeria Limited and other contractors handling the road projects, during a review of the progress report in Government House, Benin City.

He said that the over ten roads being reconstructed in the senatorial district which includes Ekpoma-Uhumudumu–Iruekpen Road, Market Road in Irua, Old Agbor Road in Uromi and Ewohimi-Okaigben Road, are crucial to the socio-economic well being of Edo people, particularly the people in that part of the state.

He urged the contractors to take advantage of the increasing number of dry days as the rainy season is coming to an end, to fast-track work on the roads in the interest of farmers and other users of the roads in the district.

Obaseki assured that future road projects would be properly timed in such a manner that most road construction works start and end in the dry season.

He lamented that the heavy rains recorded this year are wreaking havoc in several parts of the country and across the globe, and slowing down the pace of several civil construction works in the state.

“Edo Central Senatorial District has several agrarian communities that produce much of the food we eat in the state and beyond. We are worried that the evacuation of farm produce may be hampered if much pressure is not mounted on the contractors to defy the rains,” the governor said.

He added that “if the roads are not fixed, truck owners would not want to put their trucks on the bad roads. This will increase the quantity of produce that will be wasted in the farms and the impact on farmers’ profit will be huge.”

The governor emphasised that the agricultural sector is key to his administration’s overall economic development plan for the state and would not condone failure on the part of any contractor handling roads and other projects.

THE PRINCE KELLY O. UDEBHULU I KNOW.

By Sylvester Okonofua.

Prince Kelly O. Udebhulu today is the chairmanship aspirant for Esan west local government council of Edo state.

Growing up in one of the remote villages one wouldn't have thought that by today a young boy then who never knew his father but raised by his mum and later supported by his elder brother would today stand up to be counted and willing to carry the mantle of leadership of Esan West LGA in order to remove his people from the shackles of poverty.

Today, Mr Kelly O. Udebhulu is a household name in Edo State political horizon. Joining the teaming young and vibrant growing politicians. Suffice me to say that Mr. Kelly Udebhulu is not the normal politicians that we see and know every day. His hunger to satisfy the agitation of his people knows no bound.

He is not in politics for the same reasons many of our people are in politics. He has made life and he is very comfortable in his own self. He possess a citizenship and international exposure of which he has used as instrument to help many both the known and the unknown. He has sacrificed himself on the altar of assistance to ensure a good life for many whom he has come across.

Mr. Kelly O. Udebhulu is a man I met in the year 1990 at the college of Education, Agbor, Delta State.  In his age then he showed a huge humility and a sound techniques to be a leader. This endeared him to contest and be elected into various positions in the school student’s leadership bodies. He was able to govern well and received many accolades for that.

He was instrumental to the formation of Edo State Students Association where he served meritoriously. He was very significant in the payment of bursary by the then Chief  Oyegun administration to Edo state students of the institution.

He was able to organize the Esan students into a body that is still standing today.

In most recent times he has played a formidable role to ensure that his party became triumph in the last gubernatorial elections held in Edo State. It is a well known fact that he contributed immensely to the success of the election. He was never given money to campaign rather he spent his hard earned money for the party to ensure her victory.

As a close friend of Kelly Udebhulu for many years, we have lived like brothers in and out of Nigeria. Our relationship which started some decades ago still waxes strong.

I have no doubt in my mind that his feelings for the suffering of his people have vexed him to decide to lead them in to a new life.

For this I enjoined everyone to come out and give his or her support to this young man for the good of all.

Today the current needs in Esan West is too numerous to be left in the hands of people who are not perturbed with the plight of the people. Only a selfless new breed politician like Kelly O. Udebhulu can deliver this dividend. He is not selfish but a charge to make his people smile again.