King’s Square, Benin.
Hello Friends!
I just returned from Benin City, Edo State and I can fully attest to the facts in this report...The initial aim or objectives of the beautification project, seems to have been lost/abandoned somehow...
For a first time visitor to Benin, the Edo State capital, dropping off at the King’s Square, immediately endears one to the ancient city because of its well-cut pavements, grass, plant and flower scenery.
The huge roundabout that bestrides the city centre is adorned with three gardens. There is also a magnificent fountain on the premises of the National Museum. Sapele, Sakponba, Akpakpava, Mission and the Airport roads are directly connectable from the square.
All these places bear the hallmark of an environmental-friendly and rapidly modernising city, as envisaged by the Governor Adams Oshiomhole administration.
So popular was the project that the Oba of Benin, Omo N’oba Erediauwa, whose surroundings bear well-managed pavements, together with excellent landscaping gave his blessing to the project when it started in 2009.
But in recent time, setback to the beautification project is becoming more glaring by the day as flowers are being trampled on in some areas, while railings at some of the roundabouts have either been pulled down or fallen over.
The worst being the beautification work close to the first section of Oba Market Road, heading towards Ekenwan Road. Here, the flower beds have become alternate sidewalks for pedestrians, who trudge on them.
A resident, Mr. Ezekiel Ezebolo who described the initiative as commendable, said it was already sagging, a development he blamed on government’s negligence.
He said, “I think the initiative was a very good one and some of us appreciated the idea of making the city an envious one, but over time it’s like the attitudinal disposition of the state government or the ministry concerned has not been encouraging.
“It’s like the aim of the beautification exercise is being defeated owing to negligence and sustainability of the project. But then, we can attribute the negligence to the forthcoming (governorship) election. The ACN-led government appears to be busy towards the second time coming of Oshiomhole.”
Another resident, Habibat Shittu, in her assessment of the exercise said the state had lost focus.
She said, “Oshiomhole is simply being mischievous. Of what importance are flowers to the majority of Edo people who are groaning under a heavy tax regime?
“Look at what happened in Ambrose Alli University where two innocent students lost their lives, over lack of water. In any case, the beautification project is only seen in Benin and it is already failing.”
But the state Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Clem Agba, disagreed that the project has failed.
“The beautification has not failed. The damaged railing is only in Oba Market Road. Grassing is only one component of the beautification. We have walkways, street lights, traffic lights, solar and so on,” he said.
Along Sapale Road too, by the Palm House, which houses the state secretariat, trees planted by the verge have also wilted.
With regard to the Sapele Road’s beautification, the trees and the grasses are dying perhaps due to lack of water.
However, another resident, Mr. Edosa Okunbor, said the programme was still on course.
He said, “A drive around the city, reveals lovely sight to behold and reminds one of cities like Calabar and Port Harcourt, which have been known for their beauty.
“For instance, a drive through Akpakpava-Kings Square will showcase to you what I am talking about, that the beautification process is on course in Edo. Hitherto, those areas were hideouts for criminals.”
A civil servant, Mr. Moses Egharevba, suggested that more attention should be paid to the project maintenance if the government wanted to sustain it.
He said, “When this thing started, some people based on political differences tried to ridicule it, but they missed the point. The generality of Edo people are very proud of what we are seeing. Is that not why people love great cities like London and Paris?
“Go to Lagos and see things. We must respect what government is spending money on and the government should in turn not allow laxity to come in. Some of our people must be enlightened on ways to handle the flowers and trees; they are there for us all to behold.”
The commissioner made similar entreaties to the residents, saying, “appeal should be to our people to protect their investment rather than make government repeat what has already been done before. However, we are working on repairs of the railings.”
The worst being the beautification work close to the first section of Oba Market Road, heading towards Ekenwan Road. Here, the flower beds have become alternate sidewalks for pedestrians, who trudge on them.
A resident, Mr. Ezekiel Ezebolo who described the initiative as commendable, said it was already sagging, a development he blamed on government’s negligence.
He said, “I think the initiative was a very good one and some of us appreciated the idea of making the city an envious one, but over time it’s like the attitudinal disposition of the state government or the ministry concerned has not been encouraging.
“It’s like the aim of the beautification exercise is being defeated owing to negligence and sustainability of the project. But then, we can attribute the negligence to the forthcoming (governorship) election. The ACN-led government appears to be busy towards the second time coming of Oshiomhole.”
Another resident, Habibat Shittu, in her assessment of the exercise said the state had lost focus.
She said, “Oshiomhole is simply being mischievous. Of what importance are flowers to the majority of Edo people who are groaning under a heavy tax regime?
“Look at what happened in Ambrose Alli University where two innocent students lost their lives, over lack of water. In any case, the beautification project is only seen in Benin and it is already failing.”
But the state Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Clem Agba, disagreed that the project has failed.
“The beautification has not failed. The damaged railing is only in Oba Market Road. Grassing is only one component of the beautification. We have walkways, street lights, traffic lights, solar and so on,” he said.
Along Sapale Road too, by the Palm House, which houses the state secretariat, trees planted by the verge have also wilted.
With regard to the Sapele Road’s beautification, the trees and the grasses are dying perhaps due to lack of water.
However, another resident, Mr. Edosa Okunbor, said the programme was still on course.
He said, “A drive around the city, reveals lovely sight to behold and reminds one of cities like Calabar and Port Harcourt, which have been known for their beauty.
“For instance, a drive through Akpakpava-Kings Square will showcase to you what I am talking about, that the beautification process is on course in Edo. Hitherto, those areas were hideouts for criminals.”
A civil servant, Mr. Moses Egharevba, suggested that more attention should be paid to the project maintenance if the government wanted to sustain it.
He said, “When this thing started, some people based on political differences tried to ridicule it, but they missed the point. The generality of Edo people are very proud of what we are seeing. Is that not why people love great cities like London and Paris?
“Go to Lagos and see things. We must respect what government is spending money on and the government should in turn not allow laxity to come in. Some of our people must be enlightened on ways to handle the flowers and trees; they are there for us all to behold.”
The commissioner made similar entreaties to the residents, saying, “appeal should be to our people to protect their investment rather than make government repeat what has already been done before. However, we are working on repairs of the railings.”
Culled from Punch Metro.
xoxo
Simply Cheska...
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