Re; NDDC Commissioner’s invitation to Edo State House of Assembly – Benin Development Union (BEDU) commends Assembly Speaker for uncommon mediation.
The Speaker and Members, Edo State House of Assembly
All National Assembly Members from Edo State
All board members of the Niger Delta Development Commission
The Benin Traditional Council; and all socio-cultural groups in Edo South region
In view of the seeming tension that arose in the House of Assembly when Hon. Mrs. Ativie raised a motion in the floor of the State Assembly a fort night ago to sensitize her colleagues on one of the Niger Delta Development Commission's projects in her constituency that was yet to be completed or commissioned; and the reception that was accorded to Mr. Henry Okhuarobo – the NDDC Commissioner representing Edo State by the Speaker and Members of the Assembly, it is incumbent on our association to commend the Speaker and his Assembly colleagues for the show of maturity. The uncouth “pull him down” tradition has become so commonplace in Edo land that visionary elements in our communities are beginning to be disinterested in offering themselves for public office, because of the attendant blackmail and the hastened resort to character assassination by some retrogressive elements in our polity. One of the objectives of BEDU is eradicate discouraging attitudes through re-orientation, proactive and desirable criticisms and commendations.
The Benin Development Union wishes to unequivocally declare that the vote of confidence passed on Barr. Henry Okhuarobo, based on the submissions of the Honorable members is not a surprise to us and all development-minded indigenes of Edo state at home and abroad, because, this dispensation of NDDC representation has heralded far reaching infrastructures to Benin communities in particular and Edo state in general. In fact, apart from the tenure of Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, no NDDC Commissioner has made bold impacts in the lives of oil producing communities like Barr. Henry Okhuarobo; and the board of trustees of our organization officially considered and endorsed this commendation for the commissioner because, the time has come when result-oriented public functionaries should be celebrated, encouraged and supported in the immediate tasks and future aspirations. From monumental road construction projects across the states, to schools and other public utilities rehabilitation and the historic support to Marathon sport like the recently organized Okpekpe Marathon exercise in Edo North, the NDDC has raised its esteem as a catalyst for Niger Delta region's transformation.
As a development conscious group for Edo South senatorial district, we believe that the sanctity of public office has blossomed following the mouth-watering achievements of Barr. Henry Okhuarobo, the least we can do as a group is to encourage public office seekers to emulate his burning desire to be a good ambassador of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan's transformation agenda. Since assumption of office, the performance has justified the huge confidence that the State Governor – Comrade Adams Oshiomhole reposed on him by considering him worthy for strategic appointment of this magnitude; our pledge commitment to support public officers of this nature is not in doubt, hence we appeal to all Edo people to discountenance any form of delusions and negative antics of detractors whose stock-in-trade is myopic consideration of 'self' rather than the general interest of the masses.
We will resist any attempt to distract the transformation-focus of any public office holder in Edo state and Nigeria, because our oil resources has been misappropriated in the past, and now that we are beginning to heave a sigh of relief, we will fight and protect the integrity of quality service providers like Barr. Henry Okhuarobo.
We will continually keep an open mind!
Mr. Columbus Okaro' Edoimioya – Publicity Secretary. 26th May, 2013.