By DADA AYOKHAI
Hon. Sergius Ogun on Tuesday stated that Edo State had no business with poverty based on the strength of the amended 1999 constitution which recommends the administrative provision of security and welfare for the people by government aside the abundant resources inherent in Edo State.
The former house of Reps member made the submission during his declaration of interest for the Edo state guber seat on the platform of the Labour Party, LP,at the Party secretariat in Benin.
The aspirant promised to meet the pressing needs of the three senatorial zones of Edo State such as prospecting for water and the construction of rural access roads to enable farmers get their products across to urban areas.
Sergius Ogun, a former two term legislator said he was throwing his hat into the 2024 Edo State gubernatorial race to liberate the poor even as he promised to meet the pressing needs of the people.
He noted that there was need to collaborate with the federal government of Nigeria at getting prospecting companies to harness mineral deposits in the state since mineral deposits mined six feet below ground level belonged to the federal government.
The siting and regulation of such mineral prospecting companies in the state he revealed would boost the value chain as it would open the employment channel for people, company would pay taxes to government based on tapped resources, aside from generated revenue gained from the issuance of licences.
The aspirant who said he had a working background in the oil and gas industry said Edo State has the largest onshore gas deposit in Nigeria, which makes it cheaper and easier to evacuate.
He promised to make basic medical equipments available in primary health care centres for rural use, ensure better remuneration for teachers while pledging a hundred (100%) percent autonomy for local governments with the disbursement of accrued ten percent (10%) on generated tax, to make life easier for the ordinary people.
