The PDP accused the All progressives Congress Government of killing many of the small and petty businesses that were the mainstay of majority of Edo families by its policies.
In a press statement issued in Benin on Tuesday by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chris Nehikhare in reaction to the one issued by the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice on the rising cases of human trafficking of Edo state indigenes to Libya, the PDP said: “The statement ascribing human trafficking to our culture is not only distasteful but degrading.”
“Edo people are proud, industrious and have one of the richest cultures on the African continent.
“Edo State PDP disagrees with Edo State Government’s statement as issued by the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, on the rising cases of human trafficking of Edo state indigenes to Libya.”
PDP alleged that this unfortunate trade has peaked since the coming into power of the APC-led government, in the last 10 years in Edo State.
“Their failure to provide jobs, fulfill their campaign promises and the punitive tax regime they introduced in Edo State, killed many of the small and petty businesses that was the main stay of majority of Edo families.
“The APC government against wise counsel and without consideration for the economic stability of the state, made the beating of petty traders as well as the destruction and seizing of their goods and wares, government policy, to the extent a governor told a hapless widowed trader to ‘GO AND DIE’!”
The party made reference to Cross River state, a PDP state, where according to it, the government has directed the exemption of the following category of businesses from paying Tax:
1. Restaurants/Eateries
2. Barbing/Hairdressing Saloons
3. Motor Cycles/Keke Napep
4. Petty Shops.
“These are the exact categories of businesses Edo State government harasses. The truth cannot be hidden as it is clear that the singular reason for the thriving human trafficking business in Edo is poverty. Poverty caused by government failure, policy and insensitivity!”
“We reject the APC Edo State Government description of trafficking in Edo State “as neither solely about economic issues nor underdevelopment, but has deep cultural roots that must be exposed, examined and pulled out.”
On the contrary, PDP said, Edo people are proud, industrious and have one of the richest cultures on the African continent.
“Instead of trying to stigmatize Edo people, Edo State government should shift gear from campaign mode and begin to govern.
“We sympathize with families that lost their loved ones in the journey to seek job opportunities in Libya and beyond,” it said.
PDP assured Edo people that there are better days ahead, saying: “Edo PDP is repositioned, rebranded and re-engineered to stand with the people in the inevitable mission to rescue and restore not just Edo State, but the Nation to the path of prosperity once more, come 2019.”
