With lots of abandoned projects in Nigeria, continuity in good Governance if embraced will produce lasting impact and be of benefits to the masses. Many leaders never continue the works of their predecessor, and embark on new ones which may likely not be completed leading to waste of resources.
As part of arrangements to wrap up his tenure, the outgoing governor of Edo state, Godwin Obaseki has counselled his successor that a change in government should not bring change in some of his reforms, so as to ensure sustainability.
He noted that his administration’s reforms will outlive the incoming government of Monday Okpebholo, the governor-elect, as he had made efforts to institutionalise some of them.
Obaseki said: “The people are very aware of our reforms and legacies we are leaving behind. I don’t think because there is a change in government, they will change some of these reforms.
“Even if the government this is coming doesn’t support or encourage them as we used to, they (reforms) will not disappear.
“Beyond this, in the reforms we have undertaken, we have institutionalised or started the process of institutionalising some of them.
“The people know, and I doubt if they will keep quiet for long, allowing things to go back to what it used to be without complaining or shouting.
“I’m optimistic that they (reforms ) will last,” he said
For Obaseki, anyone who has benefited from something good will seek it’s sustainable. He made reference to the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EdoBEST) programme and the e-learning education which started in 2018 to stem the slide in the basic education sector in the state, learning outcomes has been transformed for over 370,000 children across 1,029 public primary and 232 junior secondary schools.
According to him, workers and parents, whose children are beneficiaries and other initiatives, would not allow the incoming All Progressives Congress-led administration to tamper with them.
Speaking on others, Obaseki said that his administration restored respect to the civil service, revolutionalised education, improved electricity, internet connectivity and road infrastructure, etc
He said: “In today’s world, without connectivity, no country is going anywhere in the world. So, we have also invested heavily in this to give access.
“We built networks across all the 18 local governments in the state.”
Recall that the former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari had continued some projects he inherited from his predecessors. This was one of the positive things he did. Some of it include the revival of the railway network, the continuation of some federal trunk roads, and completion of the Second Niger Bridge.
In as much as continuity is key, and the incumbent Governor has related his idea, the cards lies in the hands of his successor. With November 11 just by the corner for Obaseki to take a bow, Okpebholo’s policies and actions will speak.
What do you think about Obaseki’s comment especially as the governor elect is not his anointed candidate or under the same party?
