Reality Of Grassroots Development

SINCE I left homeland, some years ago, to explore the puzzle across the Atlantic, my routine visits back home afforded me opportunities to savour emerging realities of our common heritage.

Time was, when government efforts at development were defined and assessed by how much billions of naira was “earmarked” for particulars sectors. Equally depressing, then, was the irony that whereas “billions” would have been “earmarked”, virtually nothing was seen on the ground to justify the self- adulating hoopla of officialdom.

Not anymore. Comrade Adams Oshiomole has demonstrated that practical, evident, far-reaching development projects are realizable, measured and appreciated by local communities.

Edo State, for long, was reclined to the poverty mentality; that since it was not endowed with intimidating Oil and Gas; there were, therefore, no funds for crucial development. But what you see, now, in all parts of Edo State, attest to the dictum that where there is a will, there is a way.

Comrade Oshiomole’s courage and audacity have re-defined development as visible, positive change that we can see and feel and not merely by the “bureaucratic” billions of naira” earmarked”.

That explains why the Oshiomole phenomenon reverberates beyond Edo State. It puts the state on the spotlight as a shin light on the hill.

The news in the diaspora is no longer about Governor Fashola and Lagos State.
Comrade Oshiomole and Edo State have taken over the headlines. Many Edo indigenes abroad are eager to come home at the next opportunities to see the positive transformation for themselves.

In Benin City, modernity displays itself on the major streets and roads like Akpakpava, Mission, and Ring Road (now) Oba Ovonramwen Square, Airport Road, TV Road and 5-Junction among others. What you see are beautified pavements, modern streetlights, walkways, flowers and ornamental plants.

Coupled with these, are dual carriage ways, traffic control lights and traffic control officers in uniform. Again, the menace, once posed by okada riders, is now a thing of the past.

To alleviate the hardship of motorists, Comrade Oshiomo commissioned 300 new cars, purchased by the State Government for use by former okada riders.

At the time, Governor Oshiomole maintained that 15% subsidy on the price of each vehicle was granted to each beneficiary which the government was not expecting them to pay back.
This gesture is further evidence of Comrade Oshiomole’s sense of community service delivery to the people.

Indeed, the next step would be to ensure that these taxi cabs do not engage in arbitrary price charges.

Another grassroot milestone is the provision of free bus rides for students in uniform in both public and private schools, to and from schools, across the State. Comrade Oshiomole stressed that “this is something we are doing just to show that we care. This is one way we can deliver more subsidy in a way that cannot be a any middle man.”

Certainly, the 42-seater air conditioned buses have also substantially eased mobility of passengers and goods. Students, market women and others have found Comrade buses convenient alternative to “tuke-tuke” commercial operators. These buses provide safety, comfort and low-pricing for the masses.

There are also inter-city routes covering Benin-Ekpoma, Benin- Auchi-Okpella, Benin-Uromi-Ubiaja, Benin-Igueben-Benin-Ewohimi-Ewatto, Benin-Igarra-Ibillo, Benin-Urhonigbe and Benin-Sabo-Afuze-Otuo.

Outside Edo State, Comrade buses have served as intervention vehicles in emergency evacuations of Edo people from Bauchi and University of Maiduguri, Borno State.

Commendably, the Comrade Bus project is the first to use the E-payment system in its operations and also the first to employ female 42- seater bus drivers. This exemplifies Oshiomole’s commitment to women empowerment.

Not the least, is the massive renovation of dilapidated schools across the State. Some of them, I have visited and seen for myself.

Hundreds of secondary and primary schools, abandoned by previous administrations have been rebuilt, renovated and provided with new furniture and other modern facilities to promote conducive learning.

Red roofs and perimeter fences are the signature marks of Comrade Oshiomole’s new transformation agenda for primary schools.

By whatever political barometer, his tenure is scrutinized and measured; Comrade Oshiomole has set a clear example of grassroots development.

Also impressive is the fact that Comrade Oshiomole has not been distracted by other ambitions. He has not ventured into the murky permutations of Presidential politics. His service to Edo State deserves commendation.