Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has assured the people of Okpe Kingdom in Akoko Edo Local Government Area that the Commissioner for Water and Energy will be directed to commence the process of extending electricity to Ijaja, Oloma, Ogbalishe and Aiyeteju villages in the community.
The governor who made this known at the Fifth Okpe Day celebration at the weekend, also assured the people that the water problem in Okpe community will soon be a thing of the past.
While acknowledging the efforts of the Olokpe of Okpe, Oba Idogu 111 (JP), to sink boreholes, which were unsuccessful, Oshiomhole said: “The technical process involved is quite much because there are lots of rocks to crack.
“The state government has acquired a third bore hole drilling rig that will be capable of drilling up to 2,500 metres deep.
“I assure you we will give you brand new boreholes with the new rig capable to crack rocks.”
On the Okpe road, the governor said provision has been made in the 2012 budget, adding: “We all appreciate that the road is important to the social economic life of the people. We will find the resources to commence the construction.”
Earlier, the Olokpe of Okpe, HRH Oba Idogu 111, and the palace chiefs decorated Oshiomhole as an indigene of Olokpe and prayed for his second term victory.
The governor also presented a brand new Toyota Hilux to the vigilante group in Okpe Kingdom to assist in the monitoring of criminal activities
Also, Oshiomhole has directed contractors to mobilise to Ibillo in Akoko Edo Local Government Area to commence the construction of Okpameri Mixed Grammar School within the next two weeks.
The governor, who disclosed this during the funeral service held in honour of Mr. Raphael Ogunnubi at Ibillo, said the decision is in fulfillment of the promise made to the deceased before he died.
According to him, the building of the school with red roof, like the others built by the state government across the state, will have the full complement of teachers.
“I will also direct the State Rapid Response Agency to take the water borehole drilling rig to Ibillo to provide water for the people,” he added.
The governor said he was particularly touched by the untimely demise of Ogunnubi who, two weeks before he passed on, met him to request that the state government rebuild the Okpameri Mixed Grammar School with red roof and provide him with a vehicle to move around for the 2012 gubernatorial project.
He added: “He did not ask for a luxury car. Rather, he wanted a bus to be able to carry people to spread the message. And when I assured him I will do something about it, he insisted that it must not be new, that a second hand vehicle will be okay. But few days later, he died and he will no more be able to vote and to mobilise people.”