Declare State of Emergency on Security, Doctors Tell Oshiomhole

Declare State of Emergency on Security, Doctors Tell Oshiomhole

EFFIONG EKPO

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Edo State chapter, has called on the state government to declare a state of emergency on security in the light of the recent upsurge in the cases of kidnapping in the state. This formed part of their resolutions at the end of an emergency meeting of the State Executive Council (SEC) which was held at its secretariat on Sunday, June 28, 2009, to, in their words, "critically appraise the fast deteriorating security situation in Edo State, especially as it pertains to the increasing wave of kidnapping across the State."

The meeting deliberated on the security situation in Edo State, as well as the many cases of kidnapping of several residents and citizens of the state, particularly the recent case of "a very diligent, unassuming, innocent, and distinguished Obstetrician and Gynaecologist who was kidnapped on Thursday, June 25th, 2009 while waiting to perform an emergency caesarian section for a woman in labour."

Some of the doctors observations were that: the number of residents in Edo State being kidnapped on a daily basis was on the rise based on anecdoctal reports; there appears not to be any concerted and synergistic effort to stem the tide of kidnapping in Edo State; it is the primary duty of the Edo State Government, as enshrined in Chapter II of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to guarantee the security of lives, property, and welfare of its citizens; the past and present efforts by Edo State Government and the Security agencies to tackle the security problems in Edo State is appreciated and that a lot more needs to be done by Edo State Government and the security agencies to guarantee security of lives and property.

Other observations made by the doctors were that there is a high level of insecurity in Edo State with an evident lack of effective and efficient security measures to proactively and progressively contend with the complex and dangerous phenomenon of kidnapping and other forms of criminality in the State and that the Police whose statutory duty is the prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of offenders, the preservation of law and order, the protection of life and property, appear to be helpless in Edo State.

"Indeed, the security agencies in Edo State are evidently ill equipped to combat crime in Edo State. "Those who have successfully extricated themselves from the claws of the kidnappers employed self help, with the payment of huge ransom to secure their release. "Although Edo State Government has made a pledge of One Million Naira to any one that gives information on the whereabout of those involved in kidnapping, much work still has to be done to rebuild people's confidence in the police and other security agencies.

"There are no reliable statistics on the criminal act of kidnapping in Edo State, as much of this phenomenon is under-reported. "The poor security situation in Edo State is a disincentive to potential investors; it is also likely to result in the relocation of already existing investors from Edo State ."

Edo Set to Foster Rapid Economic Growth, Says Commissioner

Mrs. Sera Adetugboboh, the Edo State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, has asserted that the state government under the leadership of the governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, is determined to foster rapid economic growth, employment generation and poverty reduction.

She said that to achieve the following macro-economic benefits, much emphasis will be placed on the development of the micro, small and medium enterprises. The commissioner made this assertion on the occasion of the formal inauguration of the state Consultative Committee on National Policy on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) which was held inside the Conference Hall of the ministry in Benin City recently.

She disclosed that much provision has been made for the sub-sector in the current budget, adding that very soon the state government shall commence the disbursement of microcredit funds to properly constituted, specialized cooperative societies. The commissioner averred that the broad based nature of the committee will afford all stakeholders with their diverse experiences and knowledge, "a functional platform to create an enabling environment conducive for the development of the economy."

Mrs. Adetugboboh challenged the committee in the area of articulating policies that are capable of making the dream of the government a reality. The commissioner listed some of the functions of the committee to include among others- awareness creation/business sensitization and information provision for attitudinal changes and effective business decisions; business development service (BDS) embracing training, counseling and mentoring, providing the platform for MSMEs to see themselves as players in a globalised environment; promotion of enterprise networking/cluster formation stimulating economies of scale and international competitiveness (working with existing and prospective MSMEs); advocacy, policy development and improvement in MSMEs operating environment; promotion of linkages and access of MSMEs to vital resources especially finance and workspace and ensure proper documentation, monitoring and recovery of loans granted.

According to her, "the State Consultative Committee is expected to compliment the work of National Consultative Committee. They are expected to champion the implementation of the National Policy on MSMEs in order to ensure the realization of the overall vision of having Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sub-sector that will deliver maximum benefits of employment generation, wealth creation, poverty reduction and growth to the Nigerian economy. "Above all, an action plan and institutional frame work has been stipulated by the policy which states the strategies and measures to be adopted, actionable steps and tasks, responsibilities and time frame for achieving the broad strategies.

"This is the primary task of the State Consultative Committee and they are set out to achieve the target functions." She tasked the committee to come up with an irresistible package of incentives for prospective investors, adding that this is the only way to attract investment in order to broaden the economic horizon. The commissioner chairs the committee made up of 23 members.

Youths Lambast Oshiomhole, Attorney-General over UBE Case

Ayouth association, Edo Youths for Rule of Law (EYRL), has expressed its disappointment with what it called "the continuous violation of the rule of law and the constitution by officers of the state government.”

The association based in Benin City, the state capital, protested that the state governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and the state Attorney- General, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana are trying to subvert the rule of law. EYRL said that the Universal Basic Education (UBE) case file which was handled by a very competent judge was later transferred to another judge without the consent of the plaintiffs, Hon. Stanley Iduozee, Chief Hillary Tom Itsu and others.

The youths stressed that the action cast doubt on the competence of the judge previously handling the case. EYRL appealed to well meaning people of the state to prevail on the state Attorney-General "to explain the dramatic u-turn of withdrawing the case file from Hon. Justice Ikponmwen to another judge. "We therefore say no to the bastardization of Edo judiciary and harassment of judges by Dr. Obayuwana and his cohorts."