The Edo State Government says it will take firm action against commercial bus operators, traders and touts occupying parts of the Ring Road roundabout in Benin City as it steps up efforts to restore order around the busy city centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Commissioner for Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Chris Okaeben, disclosed this during the September edition of the monthly press briefing organised by the Ministry of Information and Strategy in Benin City.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Okaeben said the government would not allow activities that deface the state capital or create disorder to continue unchecked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The planned action comes amid concerns over traffic obstruction, indiscriminate trading and the use of public spaces around the Ring Road axis as makeshift motor parks and markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the Ring Road issue was only one of several matters addressed at the briefing, which provided updates on the state government’s infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, security and cultural development programmes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On infrastructure, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, said the administration was more interested in the quality and durability of road projects than rushing to meet construction timelines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He explained that major road construction during the peak of the rainy season could affect the quality and lifespan of the projects, noting that competent engineering firms require suitable conditions to carry out such work effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to him, the government is therefore paying attention to critical roads and their drainage systems, particularly roads inherited in poor foundational condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Commissioner also disclosed that the production and distribution of tables and chairs for schools was ongoing, while agricultural activities had been expanded to include rice farming in Warrake and Ekpoma as well as maize production in Udomi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On security, Afegbua said incidents of kidnapping and other violent crimes had reduced significantly, attributing the development to measures including the deployment of forest guards and coordinated police patrols along vulnerable routes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also called for continued cooperation between the government and the media, urging journalists to remain objective while reporting developments in the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Afegbua said governance should be driven by responsiveness and direct engagement with issues affecting the people rather than what he described as reliance on sophisticated rhetoric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The briefing also turned the spotlight on Edo’s creative and cultural economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Okaeben said safety and night-time social activities had returned to the state, while acknowledging the effect previous curfews had on social and economic activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He disclosed that the ministry had been rebranded as the Ministry of Art, Culture and Tourism, with plans to restore and preserve important heritage sites, including the Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also said the Museum of West African Arts, MOWAA, had been renamed the Edo Museum of West African Arts, EMOWAA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Okaeben, the government is also looking at upgrading cultural and creative spaces across the state, alongside improving access roads to major tourist destinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the health sector, the Executive Secretary of the Edo Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency, EDMA, Pharm. Dr. Kenny Okojie, outlined measures aimed at improving the procurement, quality control and distribution of medicines and other medical supplies in public health facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Okojie said the agency, established under the Edo State Law of 2023, had digitised its inventory system and put in place a standard medical warehouse within its first six months of operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added that EDMA was working with NAFDAC and the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria to tackle the circulation of fake and substandard medicines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Plans are also underway, he said, for a local pharmaceutical manufacturing plant, while the state is working towards the provision of free malaria drugs and basic painkillers in government hospitals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Andrew Iyamu, gave further insight into ongoing healthcare projects, saying 65 primary healthcare centres and 35 secondary healthcare facilities were being renovated or constructed across the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also disclosed that more than 1,500 healthcare workers had been recruited across various cadres to strengthen the state’s health workforce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other interventions highlighted included the revamping of the Subgbenu Hospital in Esan Central, reopening of the Agenebode PHC in Etsako East and establishment of the Obayantor PHC in Edo South.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Renovation of doctors’ quarters and administrative blocks is also ongoing, with the government saying the projects are intended to improve the working conditions and welfare of healthcare personnel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The monthly briefing had journalists and other media practitioners from various media organizations within Edo state in attendance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Edo State Government has vowed to clear illegal trading and makeshift motor parks around Benin City\u2019s Ring Road, as it also outlines ongoing efforts in road infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, security and cultural 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Edo State Government has vowed to clear illegal trading and makeshift motor parks around Benin City\u2019s Ring Road, as it also outlines ongoing efforts in road infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, security and cultural 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