THE IMPERATIVES OF CONTINUITY IN GOVERNANCE, AND WHY ALIMIKHENA DESERVES ANOTHER TERM

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March 7, 2022

The concept of continuity of people-oriented public policies in governance is not alien to the great people of Edo North Senatorial district and beyond. It is clearly a philosophy that is widely encouraged and recommended especially in nascent democracies, with Nigeria not an exception.

 In recent times, this indispensable philosophy and or approach to governance is being widely discussed by incumbents and citizenry alike, in view of the impulsive nature of politics and general politicking in Edo North Senatorial District, and Nigeria at large.

Records abound that the moment a new government from a different political party, or a fresh elected man or woman replaces an incumbent, on-going projects, programmes and policies are usually abandoned, ridiculed and terminated, and that accounts for how and why the Fruits Juice factory in Ehor, The fertilizer company in Auchi, and others, were abandoned and have today remained moribund.

 It is ubiquitous that public policies, irrespective of their merits and positive impacts on society, needlessly reversed. Some argue that this approach is hinged on the fact that, the newcomers or freshers also want to have their own ideas implemented, regardless of credentials past policies may have.

 Continuity, in as much as the 1999 Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria( as amend) permits, has its advantages once the policies are working to improve the lives of the people, with particular reference to Edo North Senatorial District, wherein Distinguished Senator Francis Alimikhena is presently holding sway as its representative.

" Senator Francis Alimikhena has an unbeatable Senate scorecard which emanated from his setting goals/targets and providing leadership for remarkable impact, being a man who has a knack for leaving endurable and indelible legacies. He is a man who has unarguably committed himself to doing things worthy of documentation and achieving things worthy of emulation "  

According to Chief Nathaniel Momoh, Chairman of Association of Edo Community Leaders, ( FCT), during a courtesy call on the Senator with his Executives and other members of the Forum, on September 16, 2021 at the National Assembly complex, " The Senator has touched lives and become so popular to the effect that the name Senator Alimikhena either rings a bell or the bell rings his name in Edo North Senatorial District and beyond "

It also on records that he has personally sponsored four (4) motions, which include, the urgent need for the repairs, reconstruction and dualization of Okene-Auchi-Ekpoma-Benin Road, Trans-Sahara-Europe Migration Crisis, Urgent need to halt the importation of palm oil and its allied products to protect the palm oil/kernel industry in Nigeria, and Ban on Nigeria food exports by European Union, as well as his co-sponsoring of over twenty (20) other motions as at the time of filing this report.

HIS STRIDES PER SECTOR ACROSS THE SENATORIAL DISTRICT

HEALTH:

 The Distinguished Senator took progressive steps by building and equipping an ultra-modern Dialysis Centre at the Central Hospital, Auchi, as well as several other Health Centres in the District, which include, Afowa, Jagbe, Ofukpo, Iraokhor, Ivianake amongsts others.

EDUCATION:

Apart from building and equipping schools in Iyakpi, Ayoghena, Imiava, Imoga, Uzebba, Ibillo, Iviebua, Weppa, Afashio, Ivianake, Ikpe-Uzairue, Ivianake, Iyuku, Igiode, Eware-Ewain, Ayogwiri, Momoh Primary and Secondary Schools, Afowa Primary and Secondary schools, Uneme-Erhurun, Ihievbe, Olegeamu Primary School, and the establishment of a Skill acquisition centre at Ogbaki Primary School, he also ensured regular payment of WAEC and NECO enrolment fees for indigent students across the Senatorial District on annual basis.

ROAD CONSTRUCTION/ DRAINAGES

In fulfilment of his campaign promises, as well as tackling the deplorable state of roads in the Senatorial District, the Distinguished Senator embarked on the construction, rehabilitation and commissioning of numerous roads which are as follows;

Ibillo township road, Iviekpe road, Ugbenor-Ayogwiri road, Igarra township road, Auchi-Igarra road, Pontoon road, Gully erosion control at Agenebode, Stone-pitching at Othame, Iyuku road, Erosion control drainage channels at Fugar, amongst others.

PORTABLE WATER:

Distinguished Senator Francis Alimikhena also ensured that the Senatorial District under his watch have access to portable water as he executed over a hundred solar-powered and motorized boreholes across the Senatorial District.

ELECTRICITY:

As part of his efforts at boosting electricity supply in Edo North, he procured, installed, energized, and commissioned several 500KVA transformers at Auchi Teachers College, Auchi, Jattu Market, Ayogwiri community, Edegbe Community, Ewea quarters in Agenebode, and commenced the repair and or outright replacement of the ones in Ojah community in Akoko-Edo and Iviegbepui community, while the provision of street-lights in almost all the nooks and crannies of the Senatorial District remain worthy of emulation, commendation, and documentation.

SECURITY:

His unrelenting efforts at ensuring adequate security in the Senatorial District has propelled the Distinguished Senator into procuring a Hilux Pickup Van for Auchi Vigilante Group, donation of a set of computer to Igarra Divisional Police headquarters, 14 motorcycles to Wanno Clan, 6 motorcycle to Weppa Clan, 1 motorcycle to Agenebode Area Division, as well as huge financial contribution to curb the security challenges in the Senatorial District.

CAPACITY BUILDING/ SKILLS ACQUISITION AND EMPOWERMENT

“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime” is a quote from the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, founder of Taoism.

Senator Alimikhena's quest for making life more meaningful for his people and beyond, has facilitated and galvanized several people-friendly programmes for training and retraining of youths and women in the area of self-employment, as most vulnerable group in the society, with a view to tackling poverty and flatten its curve.

PALLIATIVE MEASURES/ ITEMS DISTRIBUTION

To mitigate the effects of the global emergency ( COVID-19 pandemic), which brought about total lockdown nationwide, Distinguished Senator Francis Alimikhena took a very swift and proactive steps as he distributed the first palliatives at a time the people were in a dire need of such items.

The kind gesture attracted serious verbal and written commendations from the good people of the Senatorial District, particularly the traditional institutions, as Rice, Beans, Yams, Indomie noodles, Mattresses, Television sets, Electricity generating sets, pumping machines, Vegetable oils amongst others, were evenly distributed across the Senatorial District.

The Distinguished Senator has equally empowered youths and women via the provision of fertilizers, knapsacks, improved palm seedlings, livestock, as well as a takeoff grants for all participants, as financial support for individuals to start their own businesses, while more are still being done at the moment.

In the light of the above, it is indeed pertinent to say that, Senator Francis Alimikhena, having achieved all these as contained in his scorecard, deserves a third term to enable him consolidate on his achievements and become a principal officer of the 10th National Assembly, come 2023.

Support, Nominate, and Vote Distinguished Senator Francis Alimikhena For Another Term, As The ' Oracle Of Development' Keeps Doing What He Knows How To Do Best.