Edo govt faults claim of poor performance, highlights ‘significant progress’ already made

By Jethro Ibileke

The Monday Okpebholo administration has said contrary to claims of some critics, it has recorded significant progress across key of sectors of Edo State in the last 18 months.

Edo Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, stated this on Wednesday in Benin, amid rising criticism of the state government’s performance.

He dismissed recent protests and allegations of poor governance, describing critics as “faceless individuals” lacking political credibility.

Afegbua said the current administration has remained focused on addressing inherited challenges, including infrastructural decay, weak social services and security concerns.

He said that the government has embarked on aggressive road construction and rehabilitation projects across the state.

The State Government’s spokesman listed ongoing works to include the Ramat Park flyover, the Adesuwa Junction flyover on Sapele Road, and the reconstruction of Ekewan Road, as well as several internal roads within Benin City and other parts of the state.

He added that major inter-city routes, including the Ekpoma–Uromi road, are nearing completion, while maintenance works are ongoing on the Benin–Ekpoma–Auchi axis to improve mobility.

According to him, despite setbacks caused by early rains, the government has continued to fast-track infrastructure delivery, with several roads already completed or at advanced stages.

In the education sector, he disclosed that about 80 public schools have so far been renovated and equipped with basic facilities such as desks, chairs and improved roofing, compared to the poor conditions inherited by the administration.

He further revealed that over 6,000 teachers have been recruited into the state’s workforce, alongside more than 1,000 health workers engaged to strengthen service delivery.

On healthcare, Afegbua said the government has constructed about 75 primary healthcare centres across the state, with a target of 160 by the end of its first term. He added that many of the facilities have been equipped to provide immediate services, particularly in rural communities.

He also stated that work has resumed at the state’s specialist hospital project, which was inherited at about 55 per cent completion, expressing optimism that substantial progress would be achieved before the end of the year.

While highlighting recent interventions in higher education, Afegbua disclosed that the governor approved a ₦2 billion grant for Edo State University, Iyamho, to support infrastructural development, while also increasing its monthly subvention from ₦100 million to ₦250 million.

He added that the government has also initiated financial support programmes, including a N1 billion interest-free loan scheme for small businesses and another N1 billion earmarked for student bursaries.

Afegbua said the administration has taken steps to boost rural development by providing equipment to local governments to facilitate road maintenance and improve access to remote communities.

On security, he acknowledged concerns over kidnapping but noted that intensified operations, collaboration with security agencies and deployment of patrol vehicles and motorcycles have begun to yield results, with reported decline in incidents in recent weeks.

Afegbua who called on residents to support government efforts by providing useful information to security agencies and fulfilling their tax obligations to enable sustained development, maintained that the administration remains committed to practical governance and urged journalists and residents to verify projects independently rather than rely on what he described as misleading narratives.