Kehinde Fajobi
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has criticised the commissioning of the Stella Obasanjo Hospital in Benin City by former Governor Godwin Obaseki, describing it as deceptive.
Speaking during an inspection of the hospital on Tuesday evening, Okpebholo, accompanied by Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa and Health Commissioner Dr Cyril Adams Oshiomhole, alleged that the facility remains incomplete.
“After inspecting the facilities, it is clear that nothing was done here by the Obaseki-led administration as they just painted the building and fixed air conditioners to deceive the people into thinking the building was completed,” Okpebholo said.
“This is a sham. Construction was ongoing when he commissioned the building. This is unacceptable. It is unfair. It is cheating the Edo people. We will come back again to talk with the contractor and see how to commission it for Edo people.”
The governor pledged to address the structural defects and reposition the hospital to better serve the public.
Dr Oshiomhole, who accompanied the governor during the inspection, expressed disappointment in the state of the project.
He stated, “His Excellency has gone round to see the work, and we have a lot of talking to do with the consultant and contractor because we thought that by now, the work would have been almost ready.”
He added that the facility was politically commissioned by the previous administration but currently resembles “an abandoned building.”
Oshiomhole also noted structural defects flagged by medical experts who inspected the facility alongside him, stating, “We alerted the contractor and promised to correct those errors.”
Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed his commitment to completing the project properly to ensure it serves the people of Edo State effectively.