(Blogger's note: Abdul Oroh, Edo state commissioner for information and orientation speaks to NEXT about the goals, achievements and challenges facing the Adams Oshiomole, governor of Edo State in the Niger-Delta. The Edo governor is of the Action Congress (AC) political party in a state house of assembly of president Yar'Adua's Peoples Democratic Party [PDP])
By Ruona Agbroko
August 3, 2009 10:59AMT
Focus of the Oshiomohole administration?
We came in nine months (ago) but our budget was not approved until April (2009). Just when the budget was approved, the rainy season set in. We needed to take some measures to deal with the immediate challenges. Our priority is education. Number two is rebuilding our infrastructure because Edo has gone through hard times. Shortly after the governor came in, since January, our state allocation from the federation account fell by about 50 percent. So we felt there was need to create new sources of revenue; raise money without having to depend on Abuja and all of that.
We came in nine months (ago) but our budget was not approved until April (2009). Just when the budget was approved, the rainy season set in. We needed to take some measures to deal with the immediate challenges. Our priority is education. Number two is rebuilding our infrastructure because Edo has gone through hard times. Shortly after the governor came in, since January, our state allocation from the federation account fell by about 50 percent. So we felt there was need to create new sources of revenue; raise money without having to depend on Abuja and all of that.
Why will the government want to inflict pain on its people with the new taxation?
We have not introduced any new tax system. Because the oil money was flowing, they refused to collect taxes. People were not paying their taxes. We have to collect the tax. The taxpayer should sustain government and pay for the activities of their government. In our own opinion, we are making progress. Those who are resisting it are the elite; the medical association, the academic staff union, private school owners. The okada riders, the market women are all paying. Those who have taken us to court are basically the elite and lately, oil palm companies like Okomu and others. Also, major construction companies that are doing quarry works all over Edo State and they don't want to pay anything.
Dealing with the PDP-controlled House of Assembly
We understand the principle of separation of powers. But we also know that these powers are complementary. We are not running parallel governments. We feel that all those elected into the House were elected to serve the interest of the people. Most of the key projects that were in the budget were removed initially, but we were able to find a common ground and the budget was approved. We experienced some hiccups initially, because the House is not controlled by the ruling party (Action Congress). Like, we cannot do much in respect of UBE (Universal Basic Education) because they have not approved the board.
And the reason why they said they cannot approve it is because there is a case in court. The point we are pushing is if you think the issue is still in court, go ahead and confirm these people, and if the court says we did the wrong thing, then we will respect the court. The future of our children is of urgent national importance.
On the people's perception of the government
The people are buying into our campaigns...Now people are removing illegal structures by themselves. Even those who are complaining that their structures have been pulled down know that what they were doing was wrong. Every street in Benin is a market. People are selling from containers on the road. And we said go into the markets. We have markets and most of them are empty. So we expected resistance. We have a mandate and we know what we promised the people of Edo State and we think we can do it.
We have not introduced any new tax system. Because the oil money was flowing, they refused to collect taxes. People were not paying their taxes. We have to collect the tax. The taxpayer should sustain government and pay for the activities of their government. In our own opinion, we are making progress. Those who are resisting it are the elite; the medical association, the academic staff union, private school owners. The okada riders, the market women are all paying. Those who have taken us to court are basically the elite and lately, oil palm companies like Okomu and others. Also, major construction companies that are doing quarry works all over Edo State and they don't want to pay anything.
Dealing with the PDP-controlled House of Assembly
We understand the principle of separation of powers. But we also know that these powers are complementary. We are not running parallel governments. We feel that all those elected into the House were elected to serve the interest of the people. Most of the key projects that were in the budget were removed initially, but we were able to find a common ground and the budget was approved. We experienced some hiccups initially, because the House is not controlled by the ruling party (Action Congress). Like, we cannot do much in respect of UBE (Universal Basic Education) because they have not approved the board.
And the reason why they said they cannot approve it is because there is a case in court. The point we are pushing is if you think the issue is still in court, go ahead and confirm these people, and if the court says we did the wrong thing, then we will respect the court. The future of our children is of urgent national importance.
On the people's perception of the government
The people are buying into our campaigns...Now people are removing illegal structures by themselves. Even those who are complaining that their structures have been pulled down know that what they were doing was wrong. Every street in Benin is a market. People are selling from containers on the road. And we said go into the markets. We have markets and most of them are empty. So we expected resistance. We have a mandate and we know what we promised the people of Edo State and we think we can do it.
*Photo: foei.org
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