From our news desk, Benin
The people of Ekhoenidolu Village, Uhunmwode Local Government Council Area, Edo State lament the non-existent of modern infrastructure in spite of their nearness to the State Capital, Benin.
Ekhoenidolu Village thrives basically in agriculture; the main stay of the people but they suffer the challenge of bad roads to haul out farm produce to the markets in the city, amongst many others.
This is as they have no access to Government agricultural aids; funding and other inputs to help increase output.
Lamenting continued negligence by successive governments; for donkey years, the people have been living without electricity, no primary health centre and portable water, it was said.
When they have health challenges demanding medical attention, they travel to Benin and in the instances of emergency, they rely on how far fate can take them.
The only Government one block of six classrooms primary school in the Village, though having a few teachers, is without tables and chairs for the pupils to comfortably take lectures, in the face of the much bandied 'EdoBEST' program' it was lamented.
In a visit by our reporter weekend, George Ekhorutomwen Aghimien, Odionwere (Village Head), spoke on behalf of the people.
"The access road to the Village from the Benin-Agbor road highway is untarred and does not get the attention of the Government all year round; not even the Local Government Council. It is annually maintained by the people via self help.
"Same with portable water. The pipe borne water by the Government in this Village was about 50 years ago and has since parked up.
"But thanks to our children in the diaspora who gave us the only functional bore-hole supplying water in the Village and the other one is privately owned."
However, the people are not deterred hoping for better days hence they have resorted to self help to provide themselves what they want, they said.
Towards this, portions of land have been earmarked for the market, health centre and some other infrastructural development, they added.
For example, efforts are being deployed to get the Village electricity with the concrete poles erected many years ago by the Local Government Council authority, being reactivated.
However in the face of the prevailing situation, it was noted that the people peacefully coexist not only amongst themselves, but with the immediate neighbours.
Odionwere Aghimien asserts that it is attributable to the recognition that no society thrives amidst crises; the Village is organised in such a way that peace reigns.
Inclusiveness, transparency and accountability in the leadership is a priority hence there is harmony, mutual respect and support for each other geared towards common good.
Ekhoenidolu is devoid of the rampant crises: land speculation and disputes, including leadership tussle tearing apart most Villages in Benin.
Here we are positively different; I can assure you for free, Pa. Aghimien asserts.
He said negative stories about some persons grabbing portions of the Village land for themselves should be ignored; as the handiwork of mischief makers.
"No such thing exists here rather we are in synergy working to woo developers to come build and invest in Ekhoenidolu!"
Assuring that they are open to partner developers and investors to help positively change the narrative, the people passionately appeal to the Governor Godwin Obaseki led State government to look their way particularly as the administration draws to an end.
As they thank the Benin Monarch, HRM Oba Ewuare II for his impactful leadership promising unwavering loyalty to his reign.
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