Okpebholo Has Silenced Critics With Projects – Commissioner

Edo State commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, has said against the expectations of critics Governor Monday Okpebholo has silenced them with development projects.

Afegbua said the questions today in Edo State has shifted from capacity to curiosity on how he is funding capital projects across the three senatorial districts, ranging from school construction and rehabilitation, water supply, security infrastructure and agricultural support.

In a press statement he issued yesterday in Benin, the commissioner said under the previous arrangement, EdoBEST consultants received N160 million monthly, even as many schools deteriorated.

He sid in contrast Okpebholo has increased subvention to key tertiary institutions.

Afegbua explained that Ambrose Alli University was previously receiving N41 million, now gets N500 million monthly, and Edo University Uzairue which had received no state allocation before, now receives N250 million monthly.

He said, “Initially underrated during the election period, the Governor is now receiving commendation for what officials call a humble, accountable and promise-driven style of leadership.

“Public discourse across Edo has shifted from questions about his capacity to curiosity about how he is funding the scale of infrastructural work currently ongoing.

“While opposition figures have criticised aspects of the administration’s agenda, the government maintains that the results on ground speak for themselves.

“They may complain for relevance, but they cannot fault the quality or scale of the projects,” Afegbua said.

He further disclosed that on healthcare the state has completed 60 new Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) across the senatorial districts, part of a total 146 planned.

“We are not only building PHCs; we are equipping them to function effectively,” the Commissioner said.