Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Monday declared that the four cardinal programmes of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) of the Second Republic reshaped his interest in politics and the importance of manifesto for a political party and politicians.
Speaking at the launching of his six-point agenda for the state tagged, ‘The SIMPLE Agenda’, Ize-Iyamu said every component of manifesto created room for employment generation, just as he promised to continue with programmes he would inherit from the current administration if he would win the election, particularly the Benin Water Storm project designed to check flooding in the state.
He said: “When Chief Obafemi Awolowo in 1978 formed the Unity Party of Nigeria, even though I was quite young, I was fascinated by the manifesto of his party, the four cardinal programmes of the UPN namely: free education, free health services, integrated rural development and employment for all.
“It was very easy to understand and it was all encompassing and that manifesto alone made me to take an interest in the party and I became a member of the youth wing.
“From an early age, I appreciate the role of manifestoes in party formation and to me, it was key in the choice of the party to belong to.”
On projects, Ize-Iyamu said, “The water storm project cannot be abandoned. We must commend those who planned it. Even when four years ago I was contesting for office, I commended the foresight because I realised that flooding was becoming a major problem in our state, especially in Benin.
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“There are many areas where when it rains not only are the roads impassable, but the houses there are in serious danger. So, when the storm water was conceived and execution started, it offered a lot of hope.
“If you look at the airport and environs, you will know that the storm water project has been able to bring that place back to normal. These were areas before that were completely impassable.
“To have abandoned the project the way it has been abandoned, is senseless and wicked, especially coming from an administration that was part of the administration that actually conceived the project.”
Ize-Iyamu said: “Even though it is difficult to see, if there are projects that Obaseki has started, I can assure you that we will complete them. It does not make sense to abandon projects.”
On the moribund Bendel Breweries, he said: “People are making money from Breweries. So, why will Edo State not make money from what it has?
“No matter the problem it has, it can be resolved. We will discuss with all those involved in the Bendel Brewery matter. It is better for the factory to be functional than for the factory to be closed.
