Benin City, Edo State (Nigeria): Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has sharply criticised his predecessor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, for commissioning what he described as “unfinished and misleading” public projects.
Sen. Okpebholo described the action as a disservice to the Edo people and an apparent attempt to mask inefficiency.
During an on-the-spot inspection of the Stella Obasanjo Hospital and the Education Hub Complex in Benin, Okpebholo stated that he was shocked by the extent of the uncompleted work in the facilities that had been publicly declared “commissioned”.
The hospital and education hub were commissioned by Obaseki in October 2024, a few weeks before his handover of power to Okpebholo on November 12, 2024.
The governor promised to complete the projects and ensure they served their intended purposes before the end of the year.
He emphasised his administration’s commitment to restoring integrity in governance by completing all abandoned or half-done projects for the benefit of Edo citizens.
According to him, the Stella Obasanjo Hospital is barely about 60 per cent completed, and many of the hospital beds were recycled from the previous structure.
Okpebholo directed that all necessary work be accelerated to complete the hospital as quickly as possible.
He also expressed disappointment at the Iyaro Education Hub, stating that the former administration’s decision to commission the complex was premature and misleading.
He assured that his administration would mobilise contractors to begin work on the project and make it fully functional.
He reiterated his administration’s focus on accountability, transparency and tangible results, promising that the era of “cosmetic governance” and “deceptive commissioning” was over in the state.
“We are not here to play politics with the lives of Edo people,” he declared.
“Our mission is to rebuild, restore and ensure every project serves the people.
“Edo people deserve honesty and visible progress, and that is exactly what this administration will deliver.”
The Contractor handling the Edo Education Hub project, George Bou Maroon, said the complex was designed to centralise offices for the Ministry of Education, SUBEB, a Library, Auditorium, Staff Restaurant, and other administrative units.
