13th November, 2013
Edo State chapter of Nigeria’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has alleged a total of N400 billion has accrued to the coffers of the state since Governor Adams Oshiomhole assumed the mantle of leadership of the state.
State Chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih who made the claim in Benin City on Wednesday, further alleged that the governor has run the state aground with a debt profile of over N250 billion.
Orbih who described the 5th anniversary celebration of Governor Oshiomhole as self aggrandizement, because nothing worthy of celebration has been accomplished in the state, added that Oshiomhole has not been able to justify the monies with developmental projects in the state.
“Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s administration has collected over N400 billion since 2008. This is apart from the N33.4 billion he has collected in five years as the cost of running government security votes. Oshiomhole has collected N19 billion as security votes alone.
“What is on ground to show for all these monies? Oshiomhole has spent N47 billion on drainages alone. He also went to the capital market to raise money for the Benin Storm Water Project. However, it is difficult to move from one point to another anytime it rains in the state. The roads are in terrible shapes and lives and properties are daily lost to flood in Edo State,” Orbih said.
He further stated that while N136.7 billion was spent on road project in the state in the last one year, “it is surprising that Governor Oshiomhole has been commissioningm roads of about 200 metres.”
According to the state PDP chairman, the standard of living in the state has not improved since Oshiomhole became governor, and policies such as poor health care provision, conduct of flawed local government election, oppressive tax policies, ban on motorcycle without recourse to an alternative transport system and a non-performing budget among others, have been used to impoverished the people.
He also accused the government of Edo State of dragging the judiciary in the state into partisan politics, saying that the presence of the Chief Justice of the state at the launch of the APC was condemnable.
—Jethro Ibileke/Benin