Politics
GOVERNOR Monday Okpebholo, has been accused of making false comments about the Stella Obasanjo Hospital in the attempt to avoid paying to contractors that worked on the project.
According to Crusoe Osagie, Media Adviser to former Governor Godwin Obaseki, the work in the hospital is fully completed, equipped and operational, contrary to Okpebholo’s claims.
The Stella Obasanjo Hospital, which was commissioned by Obaseki, has been touted as one of the best hospitals in the South-South region.
However, Okpebholo and his Health Commissioner, Cyril Oshiomhole, have alleged that the hospital has structural defects and is not fully equipped.
Osagie countered that the outpatient and inpatient departments of the hospital are fully completed and equipped with an agreement signed between the state government and a management company to operate the hospital. The only buildings still under construction are the mortuary and administrative buildings.
The accusation against Okpebholo comes amidst allegations that his government is demanding kickbacks from contractors before paying them for their work on the hospital project. Osagie claimed that the Okpebholo-led government is trying to divert funds meant for the contractors to settle political actors who helped him during the election.
The Edo State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has also weighed in on the issue, accusing Okpebholo of attempting to deceive the public about the state of the hospital. The PDP described Okpebholo’s comments as “childish, laughable, and infantile” and urged him to focus on developing the state instead of peddling lies.
29th November, 2024.
C.E.
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