Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has accused the previous administration of orchestrating a scam with the recent commissioning of the Stella Obasanjo Hospital in Benin City by former Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Okpebholo claimed that construction at the facility is still ongoing, and crucial medical equipment, which should have been procured by the former administration, has not been acquired.
In a statement from his Chief Press Secretary, Governor Okpebholo pledged to immediately address the hospital’s structural defects and work on its full completion to ensure it serves the people of Edo State effectively.
The governor made these remarks after inspecting the hospital’s facilities on Tuesday evening, accompanied by Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa and Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole.
Okpebholo expressed disappointment, saying: “After inspecting the facilities, it’s evident that nothing substantial was done here by the Obaseki-led administration. The building was simply painted and air conditioners installed to give the illusion that it was completed. This is a deception.” He emphasized that construction was still ongoing when the facility was hastily commissioned, calling it a disservice to the people of Edo.
“This is a sham. The building was commissioned while it was still under construction. This is unacceptable and unfair to Edo people. We will engage with the contractor and discuss how to properly commission the hospital for the benefit of the people,” Okpebholo added.
Dr. Oshiomhole, who accompanied the governor on the inspection, echoed concerns over the state of the facility. He revealed that the contractor had a lot of explaining to do regarding the project’s progress. “The building was politically commissioned by the last administration, but upon inspection, it looks more like an abandoned project. There are significant structural defects that need to be addressed, and we have alerted the contractor to make necessary corrections,” Oshiomhole stated.
Both the governor and health officials vowed to take immediate steps to correct the deficiencies and ensure the hospital is fully operational as promised to the people of Edo State.
