By Editor
A group with the name, Edo Progressive Indigenous Association (EPIA), has called for the priorization of the interest of the indigenes of Edo.
He also called on the candidates of various political parties to include in their manifestoes, the establishment of Edo Indigenous Commission or Ministry of Edo Indigenous Affairs to help prevent marginalization in the state.
This call was contained in a statement signed by its president, Dr. Omogiade Enoyiogiere Edokpolo on behalf of the group and made available to journalists in Benin.
According to the release, “this will help to prioritize the interest of Edo indigenes in the areas of employments, contracts, empowerment, and promotion of Edo heritage.
“This will also help in eliminating marginalisation of Edo indigenes in Edo lands by the state government and foreign investors in the state.
“It will also go a long way in promoting the local content Act of Nigeria.
“So, we are calling on all political candidates of various political parties to take seriously, issues concerning the empowerment of Edo indigenes, thereby prioritizing Edo indigenes in their portfolio through setting up of the above Ministry or Commission.
“This is the only way that Edo indigenes will support them in the forthcoming governorship election, considering the fact that Edo indigenous people for decades, have suffered so many set back in terms of marginalization of its indigenes and has also been less prioritized in the areas of contracts, employments, bursary, medical aids, and order benefits entitled to them, just to mention a few, both in government space and the various multi-billion foreign companies and investments in the state”.
Edokpolo added that the said ministry will help to monitor and serve the interest of Edo indigenes at large.
He pointed that Edo indigenes needed a technocrat that has promising track records and global exposure, above all, the person that has excelled in his chosen career to take over from Obaseki.
The president of the group added that setting up this Commission will enable the political parties gain Edo indigenes support worldwide.