Edo 2024: LP Candidate Decries State's N600bn Debt Profile, Promise To Support LG Autonomy If Elected
From Imafidon OSAZUA (Benin)
The governorship candidate of Labour Party (LP) for the Edo September 21, 2024 election, Mr. Olumide Akpata, has decried the N600bn debt profile of the state.
Speaking with newsmen on his programme for the state during his visit to the Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Benin City, Edo State, Apkata disclosed that the monthly internal revenue and Federal allocation of the state as N16 billion and wondered why PDP-led government should owe so much.
He said: "The debt profile of N600 billion is a unacceptable just as the building of a museum by the state government as a misplaced priority. Besides, the government investment in a five star hotel as error of judgment.
"My administration, if elected, will put the people at the centre of governance, adding that currently the people have been taken out of government equation.
"I also promise to revamp the health sector and build healthcare centres in the 192 wards of the state to provide quality healthcare for the people, saying that after eight years, Governor Godwin Obaseki has no legacy project to show.
"I equally express support for local government autonomy because it brings development closer to the people. However, local government chairman and councillors must be domiciled in their local government areas.
On education sector, Apkata said: "I advocate the incorporation of teaching of technological education in the country's curriculum.Any child not taught technology in today's world, would be a functional illiterate.
"I will overhaul education and in particular, pledged to restore the glory of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), describing the state of the university as a disaster."
The Labour Party candidate also promised to revamp the health sector and build healthcare centres in the 192 wards of the state to provide quality healthcare for the people, saying that after eight years, Governor Godwin Obaseki has no legacy project to show.
Akpata while extolling the role of journalists in nation building, called on them to continue in that spirit and help lift the country which he said was currently on its knees.
