.The Edo State Government has said its new development and data-gathering initiative, ‘Operation Plan Edo,’ will bring development closer to the people of the state.
The exercise, rolled out to recertify building plans and collect data on the socio-economic needs of communities within the Benin metropolis, kicked off today at the Ugbor axis of Benin City.
The pilot phase of the programme commenced with 12 ministries who are expected to gather data from the exercise and pull out what they need to plan and develop Edo State.
Speaking to journalists after the official flag-off of the exercise, the Commissioner for Physical Planning, Urban and Regional Development, Isoken Omo said the data that will be collated will be used for planning and to bring developmental projects closer to residents of the state.
She noted, “The exercise is to bring development closer to the people. We are going from door-to-door to collate data that will help us develop the state and make life better for Edo people.
“We have also arranged the services to be provided in quick wins, short, medium and long terms. There are services and things that the government will do for the people immediately, things to do before the year ends, and others before the end of the administration.”
Omo said Ugbor is a symbolic location to flag off the Operation Plan Edo, adding, “Staff from various ministries will go from local government to local government, ward to ward, unit to unit, street to street and house to house to collate data for development. “
“Findings from our previous ‘operation show your building plans’ gave birth to this programme which requires more data. The exercise will also help the government find out how it can better serve the people. This exercise will take officials from various ministries across the 18 local government areas to enable the government to serve the people better,” she added.
On his part, Head of Administration, Oredo Local Government, Kessington Osifo thanked the state government for commencing the laudable programme in Oredo, assuring of the support of the people of the local council.
.
