Gov. Oshiomhole accuses Federal Govt of siphoning N800million Water Project Fund

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has accused the Peoples Democratic Party PDP-led federal government of siphoning N800 million meant for a water project that was never executed in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking on Monday at the flag-off of the 24-km Ogiriga-Afokpella-Okugbe-Imiekuri-Ohu road project with a spur to Awuyemi in Okpella, Oshiomhole said record at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Abuja, shows that the project had been completed, yet no single water pipe was laid in the locality.

According to Oshiomhole, “I am happy to be here to fulfill one of the promises I made to the people of this community. We have done schools, light, and water and now roads. I believe that the primary purpose of government is to bring development to the people.

“I am happy to hear from the traditional ruler that the people of the state recognises that our projects are not political projects. We don’t do projects to deceive the people and that is why whatever we choose to do, it is properly done.”

Oshiomhole noted that he was encouraged to reflect that all the things listed are the things that his administration had accomplished in six years, adding however that the people should always remember that Nigeria’s democracy is 16 years now.

“When I look at what we have achieved in six years I want you always not to forget that when I came in we have had PDP for 10 years. In this kingdom, the PDP cannot show you one red roof in ten years. Today your government has delivered to the Edo State child not only a red roof, beautiful classrooms; we also abolished all forms of collections.

“I am happy that we are flagging off the construction of roads that would link various communities in Okpella Kingdom”, he stressed.

The governor, who remarked that Edo State cannot return to the past where stealing was institutionalised in such a way that government may be broke, but individuals are so rich, added: “I hear in Fugar they suddenly came out with a foundation, they are giving ten and twenty thousand naira loan to people to tie them down.

“Let me ask you: if I choose to take one billion naira out of the money for this road project, how many of you can I share it to, I will share it to so many people, but how long will it last, so I need you to choose between those who will steal the money and give you five thousand for election and those who will use the money to work.”

According to him, “the PDP has destroyed every institution of state and before they destroy us, we must remove them. Hope you are aware that PDP records in the Ministry of Water Resources in Abuja say that they have completed the Okpella water scheme with eight hundred million naira. That is the story everywhere in Nigeria.

“What we are doing today is not just a road project connecting many communities; we are following our standard specifications. You have the asphalt base and on top of that we put the stone base. In many of the areas we would ensure that there is drainage, because if there is no drainage the road will not last.”

Credit: Adibe Emenyonu/ThisDay