Gov Obaseki vows to reduce cost of governance

Governor Obaseki in a warm handshake with the new SSG, Ogie

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Monday set the machinery of his governance in motion with the appointment and swearing in Barrister Osarodion Ogie as Secretary to the State Government.

He also appointed Mr Taiwo Akerele as the Chief of Staff, Government House and Mr. John Mayaki as his interim Chief Press Secretary (CPS).

Speaking on the swearing-in occasion, the Governor promised to reduce the cost of governance, not by sacking workers but by realigning the current workforce.

He said his team would work with the Permanent Secretaries in the next six weeks with a view to understanding the processes and the system.

‎According to the Governor, the total monthly revenue, including Internally Generated Revenue of the State has dwindled to about N4 billion from about N7 billion six years ago.

Governor Obaseki with John Mayaki

Obaseki who also assured that his administration would deliver on its promises, reminded the new appointees and Permanent Secretaries that his purpose in governance is to serve the people because expectations from the people were high.

He disclosed that he started working with Ogie nine years ago when he (Ogie) was asked to join the team that drew the blueprint for Oshiomhole’s administration.

“Our project is God’s project. God has given us strength. God has given us the power. Ogie and I started this project nine years today. Both of us have been at the integral part of the Edo project. I feel secure that he is somebody who understands what this is all about.

“It requires a lot of hard work, commitment and dedication to our people. I have no doubt that the task is daunting. We do not have the kind of resources we had six years ago.

“Everywhere we travelled to during the campaigns, people had demand for better schools, healthcare system and new lease of life. We cannot afford to make excuses. Even though we have these challenges, it is incumbent on us that we must deliver and it starts from the way we organize government right from the quality of people who heads government.

Mr Akerele with Governor Obaseki

“We will tackle the challenges ahead of us. We are cognizant of what is going on around. Government has to work for politics to succeed. Initially, we will emphasize more governance. Let us put in place a governance structure so that our political structure can survive and endure.

“For the next six weeks, we are going to work with the Permanent Secretaries to understand the structures of government so that we can make governance much more efficient. We cannot afford the high cost of governance we run today. The money is not there. We can restructure how we work. We can get more from the people we already have,” Governor Obaseki said.

In his speech, the new SSG promised to work hard to make Obaseki’s dream for the State become a reality.

Jethro Ibileke/Benin