Editorial On The Newly Elected Local Government Chairmen of Esanland.

"The political process does not end on Election Day. Young people need to stay involved in the process by continuing to pay attention to the conversation and holding their leaders accountable for the decisions they make." Patrick Murphy

The most honourable sons and daughters of Esanland here are the newly elected local Chairmen in Esanland.



. Igueben: Chairman - Ogedengbe Odia

. Esan North East: Chairman - Augustine Okhoivbole
Esan Central: Chairman 
  Dr. Edokpa Waziri Idemudia          


Esan South East: Mr. Victor O. Emuakhagbon





















Esan West: Chairman –
 Mr. Patrick Aguinede
ONCE AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS. 

 Election is over but its time to deliver the dividend of democracy in ESANLAND.  We are hoping for the resurrection of Prof. Ambrose Alli, Pap Anthony Enahoro, Dr Christopher G. Okojie spirit that epitomizes sacrifices and developmental accolades in Esanland and beyond.  “Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better.” —Harry S. Truman 




The new local government Chairmen needs to change things for the better in Esanland.

Functions of Local Government in Nigeria

“The functions of local government in the country are contained in the 1999 constitution, according to fourth schedule of the constitution; the following are the functions of Local Government; Collection of rates, radio and television licenses; Establishment and maintenance of cemeteries, burial grounds and homes for the destitute or infirm, Licensing of bicycles, trucks (other than mechanically propelled trucks), canoes, wheel barrows and cart, Establishment, maintenance and regulation of slaughter houses, slaughter slabs, markets, motor packs and public conveniences; Construction and maintenance of roads, streets, street lightings, drains and other public highways, parks gardens, open spaces, or such public facilities as may be prescribed from time to time by the House of Assembly of a state, Naming of roads and streets and numbering of

Houses, Provision and maintenance of public conveniences sewage and refuse disposal, Registration of all births, deaths and marriages, Assessment of privately owned houses or tenements for the purpose of levying such rates as may be prescribed by the House of Assembly of a state, Control and regulation Out-door advertising and hoarding, Movement and keeping of pests of all description, Shops and kiosks, Restaurants, bakeries and other places for sale of food to the public; Laundries and Licensing regulation and control of the sale of liquor.

Some other functions include, participation of council in government of a state in

Respect of the following matters,

The provision and maintenance of primary, adult and vocational education, development of agriculture and natural resources, other than the exploitation of minerals, provision and maintenance of health services and such other functions as may be conferred on a local government council by The House of Assembly of the state.”



Major Road construction that crisscross Esanland, for easier evacuation of farms produce and movement of persons.
  
In this dispensation, they ( Esanland LGA Chairmen) need to collaborate to unlock Esanland potential. We encourage greater collaboration among the 5 Local Government Chairmen in Esanland for better service delivery and to priorities:



Agbor Uromi Abuja Road before now the road has been repair
 ESANLAND
Ekpon Ubiaja Road

2 Resuscitation of moribund water boards in Esanland
 
 ESANLAND
Ewohimi Iyagun Water Supply Scheme.
If harness, it has the capacity to supply 75% of natural spring pipe borne water to Esanland
 ESANLAND
Ewohimi Iyagun Water Supply Scheme-
If harness, it has the capacity to supply 75% of natural spring pipe borne water to Esanland

3.    Reconstructions of Agbado Markets in Esanland to a 21st century standard, for better trade transaction and revenue generation. Is about time we do away with pond front markets structures.


 ESANLAND
Agbado Market
 ESANLAND
Agbado Market

4.   Tap into ABP (Anchor Borrower Program) of the Federal Government – under CBN, to provide the needed funding and training to Esanland farmers, so as to maximize their agricultural potentials. Reduce unemployment, create wealth and discourage the flow of dangerous illegal immigration and exploitation of the vulnerable.

5.     Invest in health care.

6.     Education

7.    Explore solar energy to power rural clinics and hospitals.
8.    Reform redundant Local Government and attract private sectors funding for development, through Esan Entrepreneurs living outside of Esanland. 

NOTE: Esanland is not poor.


What we lack in Esanland are organized structures. The alumni of Pilgrim Baptist  Grammar School, St John Bosco’s College, Uromi Tech, Ewu Tech, Ambrose Alli University, individuals etc etc has good resources to invest in Esanland as SR (social responsibility) but the lack of organized structures is hindering the massive flows of this needed funds into Esanland, that would drive and transform our communities, create wealth and eradicate retrogression.

There's need to upgrade premium colleges in Esanland. St John Bosco College, PBGS (Pilgrim Baptist Grammar School) to a full fledged technical colleges, Ewu/Uromi tech needs total reconstruction to a 21st century technical colleges.

The Local government chairman can tap into alumni of these premium colleges, to source for funding. As a matter of fact, if there is good reforms at local level it will attract alumni of these premium colleges. That's why local government reforms in Esanland are inevitable. A tree cannot attract bees to pollinate its flowers except there is blossoming flowers to pollinate.

Family members should reform too, to encourage members of a family with resources to come home and invest, renovate and build new house in family compound. That means, we should be accountable to each other and stop eating people's money meant for development. You can't take what belongs to someone else and make it your own and expect the God of righteousness to lift you up and give you true success.

“Money does not announce how it is earned but whereas properly earned money appreciates, improperly earned money depreciates.” Esan Quote

We do not expect business as usual. When we hear of millions yet nothing on ground to show for it. We call for a transparent government and prudent management of Esanland resources, redefine local government in this era and become a true Esanland hero. We cannot continue to do things the old ways that has never worked and expect things will be better today. We must accept the fact that Local Government, through the years has been mismanaged and ineffective. To reverse that trend, newly elected local Chairmen men and their officials need to redefine governance on local level. If a house is fallen down the new occupancy should do the needful by relaying the foundation of the fallen house.

We appeal to Esan folks; especially those living outside Esanland to be proactive in promoting development in Esanland and hold elected leaders accountable for the decisions they make. Be at the forefront of reorganizing our State, communities and nation.

For a better tomorrow we must give our today.
ESANLAND – The future shall be better tomorrow

Editor/Publisher