From Moshood Karim
As the 2024 Edo State gubernatorial election draws near, the Labour Party’s candidate, Olumide Akpata, has reiterated his commitment to fulfilling his earlier promises, particularly in the area of healthcare, if elected as governor.
Speaking at a pally hosted by the Edo Civil Society Organisation (EDOCSO) in their Election Situation Room in Benin City, Akpata vowed to establish comprehensive Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) in all 192 wards of the State.
Akpata, a cancer survivor and a staunch advocate for quality healthcare, stressed the importance of a functional healthcare system. “Having been a beneficiary of a good healthcare system, the responsibility rests on me to give back to the society what I have already enjoyed—a workable healthcare system,” he stated.
He further explained that most health conditions in the State are treatable at the primary healthcare level, and his administration would focus on empowering healthcare providers, including engaging diaspora doctors through telemedicine, to support the local healthcare system.
Additionally, Akpata promised to strengthen secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities, including upgrading the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) to handle more complex health conditions.
In his address, Akpata also touched on his plans for Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs), pledging full implementation of the Disability Bill and ensuring that religious institutions are encouraged to consider the needs of PLWDs.
His commitment to inclusivity was further emphasised by his promise to involve more women in his administration.
Addressing the persistent issue of farmers-herders clashes that have impacted food security in Edo State, Akpata proposed a comprehensive solution to protect farmers and ensure food security.
“We will establish forest guards to protect our forests and prevent farmers-herders clashes,” he said. He also underscored the importance of agriculture, pledging to establish farm settlements, provide storage facilities, and embark on massive agro-allied production to create value chains and provide jobs for the youth, thereby reducing rural-urban migration.
On the educational front, Akpata criticised the current administration’s EdoBest programme, describing it as a “whitewash project.”
He lamented the state of Ambrose Alli University, where lecturers are owed over 30 months of salary arrears, and vowed to address the infrastructure deficits and recover lost accreditation for academic programmes.
He promised a systematic recruitment process to hire qualified teachers and create a conducive learning environment leveraging technology and using the latest teaching methodologies.
Akpata also addressed issues of unemployment and entrepreneurship, pledging to reverse Edo State’s poor ranking on the Ease of Doing Business index.
He outlined plans to improve security, streamline land acquisition processes, and install CCTV in strategic areas to attract investors.
He reassured the public that he is happily married, addressing rumours about his marital status, and spoke about the on-going training of Labour Party agents ahead of the gubernatorial election, ensuring they are well-prepared to work with the new methods recently deployed by INEC.
On social welfare, Akpata criticised the current government’s approach to palliative distribution, arguing that it is unsustainable.
He proposed the introduction of a social safety net in the form of social insurance for the most vulnerable citizens.
Finally, he addressed the issue of cultism in Edo State, which he described as a “nightmare” for the people.
Akpata called for an end to the recruitment of cultists by political actors during election periods and pledged to tackle the root causes by creating more job opportunities for the youth.
In his concluding remarks, Akpata promised to make Edo State a place where all residents, regardless of their State of origin, can live and prosper.
His speech was met with applause from the gathered members of EDOCSO, who acknowledged his comprehensive vision for the State’s future.
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