From Tony Osauzo, Benin
The controversy generated by the bad condition of federal roads in Edo State continued, yesterday, with the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) accusing Governor Godwin Obaseki of failing in his responsibilities to people of the state.
Obaseki had earlier accused the Federal Government of abandoning road rehabilitation projects in Edo in spite of its status as an oil producing state.
“I don’t think that any region where the oil resources that sustain the country come from should be this neglected. We have done everything possible. We don’t know what to do again to draw the attention of the Federal Government to these roads.”
The Edo governor said the state cannot fix the Benin-Auchi and Benin-Sapele roads because Federal Government had already awarded contracts for its repair to a contractor.
But state Chairman of the APC, Col. David Imuse (retd), at a press conference, blamed Obaseki for “exacerbating the issue at hand” by not utilising huge funds allocated by the Federal Government in tackling the menace of flood and erosion in the state.
He claimed that the Benin Storm Water project, which was intended to address flooding and erosion in Benin City was not completed by Governor Obaseki and that contributed to the worsening flood and erosion problems in the state.
“Furthermore, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has engaged in gross misuse of funds allocated to Edo State by the Federal Government over time. You are aware that over N16 billion was refunded to the state under the watch of Obaseki for the federal road fixed by his predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole. Additionally, another N21 billion was given to Edo State from the oil derivation funds, which are intended for oil-producing states like ours, for infrastructural development, road inclusive. What we know is that Governor Obaseki presided over the misappropriation of these monies without recourse to these critical sector of our living… The statement made by the Edo State government, accusing the Federal Government of neglecting its responsibilities, is a clear attempt to divert attention from these failures and mismanagement.”
Imuse assured that the Federal Government was prioritising and expediting repairs on major federal roads, saying lives and well-being of Edo people, like that of all Nigerians, was too vital to be politicised as Obaseki was doing.
Reacting, the governor said Imuse’s statement was a slap on the faces of citizens of Edo State and, indeed, all Nigerians, considering the fact that the APC was superintending over the gradual liquidation of Nigeria.
Obaseki’s spokesperson, Crusoe Osagie, in a statement, said: “…Instead of Imuse to come to Edo people with unreserved apologies over their obvious failure to steady the ship of state, he is sauntering around with arrogant statements, grandstanding and attempting to shift the blame for the suffering of the masses to an innocent governor, whose effort in the efficient management of the Edo economy has so far prevented a descent into anarchy.
“Imuse in his statement repeatedly spoke about a certain N16 billion that was refunded to the Edo State Government from the alleged intervention in the repair of Federal Roads by Adams Oshiomhole, when he was governor. He, however, conveniently left out the fact that the same Adams Oshiomhole left the state with nothing less than N160 billion debt expended on various jamborees, including the so-called Federal Roads that he fixed while seriously needed infrastructure and economic development in the state suffered.”
“Imuse may not have regard for his leaders including the Governor of Edo State, but he should at least spare a thought for innocent Nigerians who are paying the ultimate price daily on the various completely dilapidated Federal Roads around Edo State. The least they expect from the Federal Government is to live up to their responsibilities of protecting their lives and properties.”