The Edo State Government has stated that the Benin-Auchi Road is too important to be used as a tool for propaganda.
In a statement welcoming the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, to the state, the state Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Hon. Chris Nehikhare, said: “This is the third time the Minister will be visiting the State to inspect the deplorable condition of the Benin-Auchi Road.
“At the last visit by the Minister, on March 9, 2024, the Governor and the Minister addressed a Press Conference on the deplorable state of Federal Roads across the state, with particular interest on the Benin-Auchi Road.
“Until this very moment, the APC Federal Government has not taken any step on the deplorable condition of the Benin/Auchi Road, which is their responsibility.
“The only work ongoing on the Benin/Auchi Road presently, is being carried out by Dangote and BUA, as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility. Engr Umahi spoke to this on his last visit when he thanked His Excellency Governor Godwin Obaseki for his initiative of asking Dangote and Bua to adopt portions of the road.
“It is rather unfortunate that the Edo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that has been attacking the State Government on the deplorable condition of the Benin/Auchi Road, even when they are clearly aware that the condition of the road is as a direct result of the failure of the APC-controlled Federal Government to fix the road.
“It was Governor Godwin Obaseki who has persistently been calling on the attention of the Federal Government and other stakeholders, to the condition of the Benin-Auchi Road and the plight commuters plying the road go through daily. As a permanent solution the Governor has continued to urge for the road to be concessioned.”
Going further, the statement averred, “it is interesting that the same road the Edo State APC have been attacking the State Government for abandoning, is the same road they are trooping out to welcome the Minister of Works, for coming to inspect.
“It is not surprising to us that the APC is playing politics with a critical road project such as the Benin-Auchi, their responsibility which they have abandoned for over 9 years.
“Everyone is fully aware that since the APC in Edo is bereft of projects to campaign with in the forthcoming Edo State September 21, 2024 governorship election, they are now trying to be creative. They have resorted to propaganda and lies. Benin-Auchi Road is too important to be a propaganda tool!”
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