BENIN CITY: Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has faulted the immediate past administration’s commissioning of uncompleted projects in the state, describing the move as deceptive and unfair to Edo citizens.

Speaking during an inspection of the Stella Obasanjo Hospital and the Education Hub Complex at Iyaro, Benin City, the Governor expressed shock at the level of uncompleted work in facilities declared commissioned.

“I do not know why the previous administration commissioned this hospital when work was still ongoing. It is wrong to mislead the people with such gestures,” Okpebholo said.

He assured that his administration would complete the projects and make them fully operational before the end of the year.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, who accompanied the Governor, revealed that the hospital was barely 60 percent completed, with many of its facilities refurbished from the old structure.

At the Education Hub, the Governor also expressed disappointment over the absence of electricity, equipment, and furnishings in the building, describing the commissioning as “premature and misleading.”

The contractor handling the project, Mr. George Bou Maroon, explained that the hub was designed to centralize all education-related agencies, including SUBEB, the Ministry of Education, and the State Library Board, for improved coordination

In another development, Senator Okpebholo, has expressed readiness to collaborate with the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to drive the state’s development, particularly in the area of infrastructure.

The governor stated this while briefing journalists on the status of ongoing projects in Benin City, the state capital.

He disclosed that most of the projects across the state have reached an advanced stage, assuring that many would be delivered within record time.

Governor Okpebholo emphasized his administration’s commitment to delivering massive infrastructure in roads, schools, and other critical sectors to improve the lives of residents.

“Most of the projects in Edo State are close to completion and will soon be visible to everyone for the benefit of our people,” he said.

“We are here for the people of Edo State and are poised to deliver the dividends of democracy to their doorsteps.”

The governor also lamented that part of the land originally designated for the Edo Specialist Hospital had allegedly been taken over by the owner of the Museum of West African Arts, leaving only about 20 percent for the state government.