Elders of Ugbokun in Ovia North East Local Government area of Edo State, on Thursday appealed to Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, to allow for the completion of a health centre project sited in their community.
The elders of the community, in conjunction with Talakawa Parliament, a civil society group, led members of the community to the Oba’s palace and also to the Government House to register their demand.
Speaking on behalf of the people, Pa Francis Osawaru said that the health centre was built and donated to the community by one Dr. Osazee Woghiren who had reportedly acceded to their demands when they informed him that the community needed a health facility.
“The facility was near completion and about to be inaugurated for use when we suddenly saw a board erected on the site with the inscription: ‘Caveat Emptor, This is Edo State Government Forest Reserve, No Trespass.’
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“Based on the proximity of the health centre to the community and to the Benin-Lagos road, people with health emergency need can be taken there and be treated; but as it stands, such is about to be thwarted with the government allegedly taking over the land,” Osawaru said.
Another community leader, Mrs. Osaretin Aigbidodo, said that the siting of the health centre in the community had helped to solve the problem that pregnant women go through before getting medical attention.
She lamented that their hopes were about to be dashed with the government laying claim to the land.
Aigbidodo appealed to the duo of the governor and the Oba of Benin to allow the completion of the facility for the benefit of the people of the community.
On his part, president of the Talakawa Parliament, Kola Edokpayi, appealed to Obaseki to allow Dr. Woghiren to complete the Ugbokun medical centre project, adding that the gesture would encourage others to invest in their communities.
