*NEWS EDITORIAL: 4,800 SPECIAL ASSISTANTS — GOVERNANCE AT THE GRASSROOTS*
*Script by: Festus Alenkhe*
Government is not meant to be far away in Government House. Government is meant to be in your ward, on your street, in the meeting where your street issues are discussed.
That is the thinking behind the decision by *Governor Monday Okpebholo* to appoint *4,800 Special Assistants* across Edo State.
That is not just a number. That is 4,800 points of contact between government and the people.
*Why this matters now*
For years we have complained that government does not hear us. That by the time information leaves Benin City and gets to Uromi, Okhuessan, Igarra, Sabogida-Ora or Ekpoma, it is either too late or already twisted.
With 192 wards in Edo State, the appointment of 4,800 SAs means an average of *25 Special Assistants per ward*.
Their job is simple: *be the eyes, ears and voice of government at the grassroots.*
1. *Feedback Mechanism*: They will report what is working and what is not. If drugs are missing at the PHC in your ward, the SA should know first. If a road project has stalled, they should escalate it.
2. *Mobilization and Sensitization*: From health insurance enrollment, to agriculture programs, to security tips — the SAs are to take government policies down to the people in language they understand.
3. *Inclusion and Youth/Women Participation*: This structure opens the door for young people, women leaders, party faithful and community stakeholders to be part of governance. It is an opportunity to reduce idleness and give people a stake in the SHINE Agenda.
*The challenge and the expectation*
Appointment is one thing. Performance is another.
Edo people will be watching to see that these 4,800 SAs are not just titles on paper.
We expect:
– *Regular activity reports* from each ward to the LGA and to Government House.
– *Training* so they understand their role and don’t become touts or middlemen.
– *Accountability*. The people must know who their SA is. Phone numbers should be public. Meetings should be held.
This must not become 4,800 people collecting stipends and doing nothing. It must become 4,800 problem-solvers.
*The bigger picture: SHINE at the grassroots*
Governor Okpebholo came in with the SHINE Agenda — Security, Healthcare, Infrastructure, Natural Resources, and Education.
But no agenda shines if it does not touch the last man in the last village.
With 61 Primary Health Centres already revitalized, roads being fixed, and security architecture being strengthened, these SAs are the final bridge. They are to ensure that no community says “we have not heard about this program.”
*Conclusion*
To the 4,800 men and women appointed:
This is service, not entitlement. You are now government to your neighbor.
Be humble. Be accessible. Be truthful.
To the Governor:
Sir, please put a monitoring framework in place. Let there be quarterly assessments. Reward those who perform and replace those who don’t.
Edo people deserve governance that is close, fast and responsive.
*4,800 Special Assistants can be the difference between policy on paper and development in reality.*
Let us make it work.
This is Edo. This is our time.
*Script by Festus Alenkhe*
