Elders of Ugbokun Community in Ovia North East Local Government of Edo State, yesterday, appealed to Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, to allow one of their sons, Dr. Osazee Woghiren to complete the health centre he started in the area.
The elders of the community in conjunction with a civil society group (Talakawa Parliament) led members of the community on a protest yesterday, to the Government House and Oba’s palace to register their complaint.
Speaking for the community, Pa Francis Osawaru, said the health centre was built and donated to the community by Dr. Osazee Woghiren when they approached him that they were in dire need of a health facility.
He said the facility was near completion and about to be put to use when they suddenly saw a board erected on the site with the inscription “Caveat Emptor, This is Edo State Government Forest Reserve, No Trespass”.
He said based on the proximity of the health centre to the community and to the Benin-Lagos road, people with health emergency need can be taken there and be treated but such is about to be thwarted with the government allegedly taking over the land.
Mrs. Osaretin Aigbidodo, another community leader, said the siting of the health centre in the community will help solve the problem pregnant women go through before getting medical attention.
She lamented that it seems that their hopes is about to be dashed with the government laying claim to the land.
He called on the state government and the Oba of Benin to wade in and allow the completion of the facility for the benefit of the people of the community.
The president, Talakawa Parliament, Kola Edokpayi, appealed to the governor to use his good office to allow Dr. Woghiren to complete the project.
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