The general assembly of Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) a coalition of civil society groups and community based study centres across the state held its monthly General Assembly yesterday the 12th of March, 2022.

The meeting which started with solidarity songs then followed with the national anthems put comrades in the mood of expectations and prepared them for another time in engaging in discourse that will engender growth and progress of man and the society.

The Interim TEC Chairman, Bishop (Dr) Osadolor Anthont Ochei, JP who presided over the meeting, welcomed everyone present and appreciated them for their support and collaboration thus far. He went further to admonish comrades to get themselves acquainted with requisite knowledge and information to enable them push for good governance, social justice and human rights as enshrined in our collective creed.

Touching on current issues of Edo state, he delved into the reckless sales of Edo state properties without consultation with the people. He sighted that of central hospital which has been demolished making the only available supposedly government built Specialist Hospital out of reach to the poor.
A decision was taken on the next line of action to be taken on the demolished Central Hospital and all other government properties that illegally sold or demonolished.

The Edo state library and other government owned properties have been demolished for reasons only known to the government, he posited.

The issue of double taxation, extortion and harassment by local government revenue collectors principally in the three metropolitan councils in Edo state, Oredo, Egor and Ikpoba Okha was also deliberated on and the appropriate steps to be taken were agreed upon.

The ever increasing reports of land grabbing formed a major deliberation which resulted to a plan in constituting an adhoc committee that will be responding to land grabbing issues and to liase with the state government committee on Protection of Private Properties in ensuring that perpetuators are apprehended and prosecuted.

Other state and national issues were discussed and far reaching resolutions arrived at for the betterment of the society.

New members were received into the coalition and meeting adjourned till next month.

Leftist Aliyu Umweni
Interim Public Relations Officer
Edo Civil Society Organisations
(EDOCSO)

www.edocso.org