The Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki, has assured the people that campaigns for his second term would not interfere with governance of the state.

The governor said he would not allow campaign activities for the governorship election fixed for September 19th to affect governance, assuring that he would continue render services to the people of the state.

Governor Obaseki gave the assurance when he gave out cheques of various sums to over 49 beneficiaries as compensation to facilitate the N16b Ogiso-Osunde gully erosion control along 3rd East Circular Road in Benin City through the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP).

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Taiwo Akerele, Obaseki said his administration was determined to continue to partner with any group, organisation and individuals that would boost the development of the state.

“This is a very busy year for us as a government but we are not leaving governance and our government will continue to be citizen-centric in the sense that whatever step we take, it is going to be citizen-based and that is why we have invited all of you here today.

“There is transparency in the process, there are accountability mechanisms that have been put in place and there is no opaqueness in the execution of the project and I want to assure you that those who are at the helm of affairs in NEWMAP are people who are well tested and dedicated with years of experience on project execution with vast training both locally and internationally so you can always rely on them.

According to him, the government has confidence in them and would therefore expect a high-quality project execution from them.

“We will not hesitate as a state government to terminate the contract if we observe any shoddiness in the execution of the project” Besides, he said a Community Oversight Committee would be set up to assist as third party assessors that would draw the attention of the authorities if there are areas of deficiencies in the execution of the job

Earlier, the state Project Coordinator of NEWMAP, Tom Obaseki, said the gully erosion control would span over two kilometres and assured that when completed it would help give a permanent solution to the gully erosion challenge in the area.