Momoh Umar Momoh, Benin
In furtherance of the dividends of democracy, the immediate past Deputy Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Mrs Maria Omozele Edeko has constructed and donated a multi-million naira Police station to her constituency.
The Police Station which was commissioned by the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo is
located within the premises of the Nigerian Institute of Construction Technology (NICT).
The People’s Democratic Party a female lawmaker representing Esan North-East II, said it is part of her constituency intervention project geared towards addressing the growing insecurity in the Uromi axis of the state.
Recalls that the first female deputy speaker from the Edo Central senatorial district had previously inaugurated a 500KVA transformer in the Efandion community to boost the socio-economic activities of residents in the locality.
She noted that criminal activities around the NICT and its host communities have created deep concern for both students and residents, necessitating urgent intervention.
According to her, the security threats were beginning to endanger academic activities and livelihoods in the community, undermining progress and safety in the educational institution.
“The Police station is a strategic move to restore law, order, and public confidence while deterring criminal elements threatening community peace.
“This intervention was conceived to protect lives, support education, and ensure safety of every stakeholder within Uromi and its surrounding areas.
“The presence of law enforcement officers will discourage cult activities, theft, and other vices previously reported around the institution and adjoining communities”, she said.
She added that the newly inaugurated station, fully equipped with modern facilities and staffed, was expected to serve not only the institution but several neighbouring communities across Esanland.
Edeko opined that her commitment to grassroots development, youth empowerment, and institutional stability remained strong, even after completing her tenure as deputy speaker.
She, however, appealed to the community to collaborate with security operatives through timely information and mutual trust to ensure maximum benefit from the project.
The PDP legislator who restated that meaningful representation goes beyond lawmaking, stressed that community safety and education were foundations for sustainable development in any society.
She, urged other public office holders to channel resources toward initiatives that solve real problems and touch lives at the grassroots level.
She noted that the police station would serve as a model for collaborative security infrastructure across Edo Central and beyond.
Commissioning the Police Station, the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, noted that the project aligned with his administration’s five-point agenda of enhancing security across the state for development and institutional safety.
Okpebholo represented by Gen. Cecil Esekhaigbe (Rtd), Chairman, Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Construction Technology, added that any initiative aimed at tackling insecurity was welcomed and appreciated by the government.
He said especially when such a project supports educational institutions and vulnerable communities across the state.
Also speaking, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, commended the establishment of the station as timely and strategic for peace.
Agbonika assured that the police would fully utilize the facility to strengthen the existing security framework and ensure the safety of lives and property in Uromi.
He stated that the new station would serve as a deterrent to crime, improve policing in the community, and foster trust between residents and security agencies.
In his welcome address, the Rector of the Institute Oyakhiromhe Agbadua, commended Oligbi-Edeko for building the police station within the institution.
Agbadua noted that the gesture was timely and strategic, as the school had faced persistent security challenges over the years, affecting academic activities and the safety of students.
Other guests at the event which included traditional rulers, civil society leaders, youth representatives, and members of the academic community pledged support for the security initiative
They all lauded the lawmaker for her leadership and commitment to sustainable development and grassroots empowerment.
