The beautification of Benin City, the Capital of Edo State, is long over due. This is because this city has been a metropolitan long before the arrival of colonial over lords. The advent of European explorers which brought about the conquest of the city in 1897, during the reign of Oba Ovonramwen N’Ogbaisi, is enough reason why Benin City should be a modern City.
After the conquest, the conquerors settled in the city, not to stunt development, but to make it a modern city, which is opened for liberal interaction with the outside world.

The conquerors’ intention in staying in Benin City was to positively transform it to meet the fast encroaching modern civilization. It was to transport the city from Ancient City to Modern City. The transformation and transportation forward was to lift the city from its antiquity to modernity. To facilitate this, educational institutions were set up to prepare the populace for the challenges of the fast approaching modern civilization. At the inception of colonial rule, Benin City became an administrative centre, and to make it befitting its status, modern facilities were provided, like schools, hospitals, tarred roads, office blocks, etc.

The education that was provided was meant to revolutionized the world vies of the people. The aim of this was to make the people fit into the current trend and subsequent trends in world civilization. The education was meant to prepare the people for a greater and better tomorrow, as people who are refined, cultured and sophisticated for the challenges ahead.

The local administration then was determined to make the people lived a structured lifestyle that befits modernity instead of living them in their conquered ancient state. Modern market economy was developed which brought about constructed structures erected in designated areas. So, public market took a new turn, instead of shading goods outside the market indiscriminately, stalls and shops were provided so that the sellers could have dignified places to display their wares. They were taken away from rain into built places. The sellers and their wares were protected from the rain and also from the cold and direct heat of the sun.

The advent of the colonialists was to re-invent our people to live disciplined lives which conform to modern civilization, thus the non-encouragement of illegal structures around market places and along the roads. Those along the roads are considered proned to failed vehicles which may lose control and find their collision with any building that is very close to the roads. When these were being done, the road and opportunity to travel and see modern cilvilisation in Europe and America were opened to our people.

The purpose of this was for them to come back home, as enlightened individuals, to provide model leadership for their followers. Thus, Benin City became a foremost landscape in Western Delta region which acquired a metropolitan City, compare to other towns that made up of Western Region in 1962. With this assumed status, a master plan was drawn up to further transform Benin City to befits its new status as a State or Regional Capital, by the Dennis Osadebey-led administration. This was not to have been followed up so quickly because of military intervention. As the Master Plan infringed on landed properties, it means that compensation has to be paid to affected owners.

This was carried out by Samuel Ogbemudia-led military administration. But not much was done to concretize the Master Plan of Benin City. There was military intervention again, and Ogbemudia and his plans were swept away. The subsequent administrations did nothing to re-activate the Master Plan.

Most unfortunately, in the eight years of Lucky Igbinedion’s administration between 1999 and 2007, there was either criminal neglect of the Master Plan or lack of political will to resuscitate it and then began work on it. But it was needful.

The inception of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole-led Action Congress (AC) government took bold step to look into the Master Plan of Benin City which has been in limbo for decades. But because the current government meant business to give Benin City, in particular and Edo State in general a new face lift, the government decided to embark on the actualization of the Master Plan. Unfortunately, the victims of the demolition exercise viewed the government in bad light and they are unreasonably supported by those who want Benin City to be continuously called, the Ancient City. At this age of civilisation, we must develop and transcend that demeaning and low self-esteem status. Benin City, our capital city, must not decline, maintains its status quo, instead, it must assume the name, a Modern City. It takes a political will to achieve that.

As the demolition of illegal structures continues, Street traders are asked to go into the markets and beautification is set to be achieved by sheer determination of the Action Congress (AC)-led government under the leadership of Adams Oshiomhole, any campaign of calumny and regret for casting the winning votes for the party will fritter away like morning dew. Good must overcome evil.

The present government in Edo State has no intention to bring sorrow and despondence on the electorate. The inevitable and indispensable change that this government is bringing about needs the cooperation of all.

This government is not a psychopath but a lover of everything good for Edo people. But in achieving this goal, if anyone fall victim because of his illegal structure of illegal market stall along the roads and around the markets he should remember that what is illegal is illegal. Once it is illegal, it means it is unacceptable, and grossly so.

To keep Benin City and Edo State beautiful is a task that must be done and every eye shall see the beautiful and wonderful outcome before the end of the first tenure of this administration. People should desist from taunting any supporter of the demolition exercise, Adams Oshiomhole and Action Congress (AC). Anyone that is opposed to the demolition exercise should embrace positive change or be constructive in reaction. The action of the government is not to inflict willful pains and suffering on anyone, but to circumcised our people to be refined and cultured citizens of Edo State.

From my interaction so far, because of the demotion and persuasion of traders to go into the markets, many are saying that Adams Oshiomhole and Action Congress, AC, will not be given second term in office. This is too early to be exaspirated. By the time this first term ends, many people will be able to judge whether this government has done them well or not.

Because of the seeming increment in tax, many tax payers are speaking with the same voice as owners of demolished illegal structure and displaced street traders, that they will not cast their votes next time for Adams Oshiomhole and Action Congress (AC). This threat is unjust and uncalled for because this government is not a pretender. If any one throws away the bath water and the baby, it means that person is inhuman and wicked. Everybody desires a change for better, and this is just what this present government is up to in Edo State.

Support and approval is the needed strength for the government to succeed in Edo State. Let us not encourage pretenders any more in the governance of Edo State. Let us encourage pragmatic or action leaders to turn things around for us in our state. We are a blessed people, and we need the right leadership to bring our blessedness out for the world to see. This is what Adams Oshiomhole and Action Congress (AC) are set to do for us in Edo State. When we remain loyal and steadfast in supporting this government, we will all reap the good of this land. Let us avoid negative confessions against this government and we will see the goodness of our choice of Action Congress to lead us in Edo State.