Edo State governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, at the weekend gave insights into why he appointed his critics as commissioners saying it is to afford them the opportunity to bring their wealth of experience on board and work from within.
He said though he came under suffocating criticism from a cross-section of the public, he insisted that it was more reasons why they had to bring them on board.
Obaseki stated this when he swore in four new commissioners at the New Festival Hall in Government House, Benin City, the Edo State capital just as he charged them that public office is not a venture to make money but to serve the people.
The governor said: “There are clearly some things they see from the outside that we are not doing inside and now that they are joining the team, they will help the team inside to see better on what to do to finish well.
“We have listened to their qualification and experience as their CVs were read to us and I have no doubt that all of them who are joining us here today have all it takes to finish well with us.
“You have taken your oath of office and I hope you will keep copies and always reflect on the oath taken. You have taken an oath to serve our people. You are coming into public service to serve the public and you are not likely to make money. Public office is not a business where people come and make money but an office where people come and serve and give of themselves.
“When people ask you, when you have been there, what have you gained or done for yourself? Let them know that you are not there to do for yourself but to do for them. You are in office to provide services for the people so that life will become better for the people.
“As an administration, we have accomplished quite a lot and now that you have joined, you will see what we have done. We have not spoken so much on what we have achieved but given your strength, I know you will now help others who don’t understand to appreciate what we have accomplished, what we have done, and why we have done the things we have done.
“This government has been a foundation-laying administration to help us rebuild Edo so that Edo can be great again. Our people have been our number one priority as without them development cannot happen. That is why we focused on areas like education, strengthening the public and civil service to be able to provide services for Edo people.
“Today, you have taken an oath to serve and the world is looking at you. You are here to serve Edo people, not Godwin Obaseki. If it was about service to Godwin Obaseki, I don’t think I would have nominated you because some of you have not been too kind to me in terms of what you have written, but it’s about the State and Edo people. We still have a lot to do even though we have only about 14 months left.
“The priority for us is to make sure that we build sustainability into what we are doing because the question on the lips of most Edo people is, Governor Obaseki, when you complete what you are doing, are we sure the next administration will be able to sustain what you have started?”
Responding on behalf of other commissioners, Osilama Okuofo commended the governor for finding them fit for the position, noting that “We are proud to be part of the team and are ready to contribute our quota no matter how small to ensure that the team finishes well and Edo becomes great again.”
