Okpebholo Slams Obaseki For Commissioning Projects Still Under Construction

The immediate past government of Godwin Obaseki has come under fire from Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo for commissioning unfinished projects, calling the action a “disservice to Edo people and an attempt to mask inefficiency.”

Speaking at a site visit to the Stella Obasanjo Hospital and the Iyaro Education Hub Complex, Okpebholo expressed surprise at the amount of work left undone in buildings that had been officially proclaimed finished.

I don’t understand why the previous administration put this hospital into service while construction was still going on,” Okpebholo said in a statement issued through his chief press secretary, Fred Itua.

“Misleading the public with such gestures is wrong. Our responsibility is to see that everything that was started is completed and that Edo people receive the most out of every naira spent.

The governor’s tour was led by Cyril Oshiomhole, the Commissioner for Health, who revealed that the Stella Obasanjo Hospital was only 60% finished and that many of the hospital beds were recycled and outdated.

“With His Excellency, we toured the facility, and it is evident that the hospital is far from being finished,” Dr. Oshiomhole stated.

But in order to have everything finished as soon as possible, the governor has ordered that all necessary work be expedited.

Before Christmas, Okpebholo promised the locals that the hospital would be finished and operational. While a lot of work has been completed, much more has to be done.

Both the theater and the administrative block remain unfinished. But from now till Christmas, we’ll make sure this facility is operational and providing care for the Edo people,” he stated.

The governor also voiced disappointment with the Iyaro Education Hub, stating that the building was put into service without any equipment, power, or operating capability.

“This building was hurriedly commissioned without power, equipment, or any operational capacity,” said Okpebholo.

The fact that there was essentially nothing to commission makes it sad. Making this place fully operational, reestablishing its purpose, and revitalizing the Ministry of Education are our current priorities.

George Bou Maroon, the project’s contractor, clarified that the building, which houses the Ministry of Education, SUBEB, Library Board, Auditorium, staff eateries, and other administrative divisions, was intended to centralize all educational operations in the state.

In an effort to demonstrate his administration’s commitment to accountability, openness, and measurable outcomes, Governor Okpebholo promised to mobilize contractors in a matter of weeks to finish the Iyaro complex.

“We are not here to play politics with the lives of Edo people,” he continued.

Our goal is to rebuild, restore, and make sure that every project benefits the public. The Edo people are entitled to transparency and observable advancement, and this administration will provide both.