We’re sorry, Edo ex-Council chairmen beg ‘aggrieved residents’

By Osaigbovomwan Iguobaro

The immediate past Council Chairmen in Edo State have publicly apologized to aggrieved residents of the State for stepping on their toes in the course of implementing Government policies and programmes.
Former chairman of Oredo Local Government Area of the State, Mr. Jenkins Osunde who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, tendered the apology at a reception party to mark the end of their tenure in office on Sunday in Benin City, the State Capital.
“But in taking decisions and executing government policies, we stepped on so many toes. Today, on behalf of my colleagues, we apologize from the depth of our hearts; We are truly sorry”, he said.
Osunde, chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) in the State, particularly appreciated the Oba of Oba of Benin, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II and all other traditional rulers across the State who supported us while we were in that office.
He stressed that despite the economic shockwave caused by Covid-19 pandemic, which affected global economies, EndSARS riots and drop in federal allocations, they “struggled to deliver on our promises to the people”, and commended the people for their support and constrictive “criticisms which put them on their toes”.
The former Oredo Council boss who spoke with eye-opening candour, paid tribute to the State Government for abolishing multiple taxation, ticketing and Community Development Associations (CDA’s) in the State.
“Before the advent of our administration, our brothers and sisters are beaten before money is collected from them. This administration stopped the CDA’s where land developers had to pay multiple times.
“We want to acknowledge our spouses and families because they took the brunt of all the pressures. Often times, we came back home with long faces as a result of the consequences of the pressures. They (spouses) soak that pressure up and went to their kneels and supported us”, he said.
In his goodwill message, Edo State deputy governor, Mr. Philip Shaibu, thanked the former Council officials for standing out in the face of alleged inducement by political jobbers in the build up to the September 19, 2020 Governorship election in Edo State.
He commended them for prudent management of resources and wish them well in their future endeavour, adding that the performance of the former Chairmen could be measured in relative terms.