20th July, 2023
By Jethro Ibileke
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has stated that the confusing policies and procedures put in place by the Federal Government has made it difficult for any state government to embark on repair of federal roads.
He also lamented that Edo people are being unfairly treated by the Federal Government “probably because of their political stance”.
Obaseki stated this Wednesday evening when he paid a visit to the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council.
He lamented that as a Governor, his hands and legs are tired as regards repair of federal roads.
According to him, “We are in a very difficult situation in Edo. Our hands and legs are tied and they say we should run because the only government people know is their state government.
“Federal policy relating to its road is very confusing. In the past we could go as a state, rehabilitate and go and give the Federal Government the bill and say we have carried out palliative on your roads, please refund, and we would get the refund.
“At a point, they said state can only apply and take over those roads, but I am yet to see the state they have given federal road to repair.”
The Governor further revealed that his attempt to carry out palliatives measure on a federal road in the state was frustrated.
He related: “I will give you an example. Auchi-Ibilo road was so bad, contractors were not mobilised there, so we say we want to carry out palliative measure on the road, but they so no. They said it is a federal road and that the road has already been given to a contractor. What do we do in this kind of situation?
“Even when I said I want to fix Benin-Sapele Road now, I am not allowed to. Because first, it is not our road, and secondly the Federal Government feels they have already given out the road to contractor.”
Commenting on the alleged political stance of the federal government on the state, Obaseki declared that Nigeria belongs to everyone, hence individuals should be treated in a fair manner.
He said: “I am not here to criticise the Federal Government, but I am here to say that we are all Nigerians. So, it is only fair and proper that the Federal Government treat Nigerians like human being.
“Treating us the way we are being treated in Edo State, as if we do not belong to this country, it is really really unfair. You don’t have to vote for a government for the government to care about you, we are all Nigerians.
“It is like you have no one to talk to on these bad roads. When you call the federal road controller, he will say he is in Abuja. It is like no body care in Abuja. Because we come from Edo, they don’t care about us, they don’t like us, if they do we will know,” he said.