2027: OSR Unveils Oredo Development Agenda, Promises Jobs, Better Infrastructure, Accessible Healthcare
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, Hon. Osazee Richard, popularly known as OSR, has unveiled a development agenda for the Oredo Federal Constituency, promising legislation, economic empowerment, infrastructure monitoring and improved access to healthcare if elected to the Federal House of Representatives.
The agenda, tagged “NOW or NEVER 2027: The OSR Oredo Project,” outlines what the campaign describes as a constituency-focused approach to representation, with emphasis on addressing the economic, security, environmental and social challenges confronting residents of Oredo.
Osazee Richard, popularly known as OSR, is a Nigerian based in the United States and owns a number of companies with business interests in both the United States and Nigeria. His decision to seek public office, according to his campaign, is driven by a desire to bring his international experience and exposure to the good people of Oredo and contribute to the development of the constituency.
A major component of the agenda is legislative representation, with Richard promising to pursue bills and policies targeted at the specific needs of the constituency rather than serving as a passive member of the National Assembly.
According to the campaign, he would within his first 100 days in office seek to sponsor a SME Relief and Market Infrastructure Bill, aimed at supporting the modernisation of major markets in Oredo, including Oba Market and New Benin Market, with improved sanitation and fire-safety measures.
He also plans to champion a Public Safety and Street Lighting Framework to promote the installation of solar-powered security lights in identified crime-prone areas across the constituency.
The campaign said the proposed legislative agenda would be driven by regular town-hall meetings, through which residents would contribute ideas and identify priority issues requiring federal intervention.
On employment and youth development, the OSR Project proposes the establishment of a Constituency Employment Exchange to connect young people with federal employment and entrepreneurship programmes, including opportunities through agencies such as the National Directorate of Employment and the Bank of Industry.
Richard also plans to advocate for greater participation of Oredo youths in digital skills, artisan certification and other vocational programmes, with training in areas such as information and communication technology, plumbing and tailoring, alongside access to startup tools.
The campaign further identified the rehabilitation of the Ikpoba River drainage system as a priority, proposing that environmental cleanup activities could simultaneously create short-term employment opportunities for youths while helping to address flooding in affected communities.
Infrastructure and Economic Development
On infrastructure, the candidate has proposed what he describes as a “Zero-Shoddy Infrastructure” policy, under which federally funded projects in Oredo would be subjected to closer monitoring.
The agenda proposes the creation of a project monitoring team involving local professionals, including engineers, to monitor the quality, implementation and timelines of federal projects within the constituency.
Beyond constituency-level infrastructure, Richard said he would also push for major federal infrastructure projects capable of opening up Edo State and the wider South-South region to greater economic opportunities.
One of his priorities, according to the campaign, would be to push for the federal upgrade of Benin Airport to an international airport, arguing that the facility is strategically positioned to serve Edo State and the wider South-South region.
Richard noted that many Edo families have members living in the diaspora and argued that the state's high level of international travel, population and economic activities justify the development of an airport capable of handling international operations.
He believes upgrading the airport would improve connectivity, facilitate easier movement of people and goods, attract investors and strengthen economic activities across Edo State and neighbouring parts of the South-South region.
The candidate also pledged to push for the realisation of the Gelegele Seaport, describing the project as long overdue.
According to him, the development of the seaport would have significant economic implications beyond Edo State by creating opportunities for trade, investment, logistics, employment and industrial development across the South-South region.
Richard said the combination of an upgraded international airport and a functional Gelegele Seaport would give Edo State stronger connections to both domestic and international markets and contribute to the region's economic growth.
Healthcare Accessibility
Healthcare also features prominently in the proposed agenda, with Richard pledging to facilitate efforts toward reopening and equipping primary healthcare centres with essential medicines and functional emergency vehicles.
The campaign further proposes quarterly free medical outreaches across the constituency's wards as part of efforts to improve access to basic healthcare services.
A key feature of the proposed programme is transparency, with the OSR campaign promising that information concerning constituency projects and expenditure would be made available to residents through an online platform.
The campaign urged residents of Oredo to support Richard's bid to represent the constituency in the Federal House of Representatives under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The agenda is being promoted under the campaign slogan: “The time is NOW; the choice is NEVER again.”
While the proposals remain campaign commitments and would require legislative action, budgetary approvals and collaboration with relevant federal and state institutions if implemented, the OSR Project presents itself as a constituency-centred blueprint focused on jobs, infrastructure, public safety, healthcare, regional connectivity and accountability.
