CEESF, Urges Obaseki to Complete Abandoned Ekpoma Stadium

By Lucky Isibor

The Concerned Ekpoma Eminent Stakeholders Forum (CEESF), has called on Governor Godwin Obaseki to complete the now abandoned Ekpoma mini-stadium which the state government started in 2020.

The CEESF also condemned the activities of some youths in Ekpoma who collect money from heavy duty vehicles to give them access to ply Ekpoma township roads, which will eventually destroy the state roads and appealed to the Head of Local Government Administration (HOLGA) of Esan West Local Government Council to assist in checking these illegal activities on the state roads by some youths.

The CEESF made the calls in a communique at the end of an emergency meeting of the forum held on Thursday 3rd August, 2023 at Eguare Community Hall, Ekpoma.

The communique signed by the Convener, Dr. Comr. Jude Obasanmi and secretary of CEESF, Dcn. Comr. L. I. Isiraojie noted that, "The attention of the Forum was drawn to a mini stadium kick started by the Edo State government prior to his second term reelection bid in 2020.

"The project which is situated at Eguare Secondary School playing ground in Ekpoma saw the erection of only pillars from 2020 and up till this moment, the project seems abandoned, whereas, the ones started in other parts of the state have been completed and in use. 

"The Forum wishes to use this medium to draw the attention of the Edo State Government to the unfinished construction work at the site of the mini stadium. 

"This project if completed, as we have it in other parts of the state, will help grow the talents of our dear youths and remove their eyes from evil vices. 

"The Forum appreciated the HOS of the LG for his proactive steps in safeguarding the Ekpoma internal road network from being destroyed by heavy duty truck drivers who were now using our local roads to get to their various destination because of the failed Benin/Auchi expressway. 

"The Forum noted the barricades mounted along Ukpenu road, Market square, Iruekpen axis, Ihumudumu road, etc and appealed to the HOS that one should also be mounted at the Ujoelen junction to stop the heavy duty trucks who use that axis to enter the town. 

"Our attention was also drawn to the attitude of some community youths, vigilantes and Council staff who often collect money from these truck drivers and allow them access. 

"It was noted that the Forum was able to donate some iron poles bought sometime ago for this exercise to some youth leaders who have also assisted in mounting barricades in their domain. Members appealed to the Forum to inform the HOS of the above especially the claim of extorting money from trucks thereby allowing them to ply local roads for his further necessary action".

On the issue of Insecurity, the forum appreciated the various security networks in Ekpoma for their ability in sustaining progressive peace, but however condemned reports that some officers of the Civil Defence Corps, Vigilantes and Edo Central Security Network are involved in extorting money from motorbike riders between the hours of 7-9pm at night. 

According to the communique, "It was also reported that these officers often stayed around Momoh junction, along Ukpenu road and Midcast Junction along Ujoelen road. Members were informed to be on alert and to report any such case to the SC for immediate action".

While praying for the quick recovery for the Member representing Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben Federal Constituency at the National Assembly and the immediate past speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Narcus Onobun who was recently involved in a ghastly motor accident, members of CEESF resolved to meet and engage elected political office holders from the Local Government Area at both House of Assembly and House of Representatives and implored the Steering Committee to workout modalities for the proposed interface. 

The Convener of CEESF informed members of the efforts the forum has made in respect of the Ekpoma corridor of the failed Benin/Auchi Expressway, noting that protest letters were sent to Federal Ministries of Budget and Economic Planning, Works and Finance with acknowledgement copies but they could not attend to the road before the expiration of the last administration. 

The CEESF then resolved to patiently await the inauguration of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Cabinet so as to know the person who will take charge of the Ministry of Works and Urban Development. 

The forum also resolved to engage the state government and draw their attention to some of the failed NDDC road projects within the community which were executed in collaboration with the state government.