Hendrix Oliomogbe
Two years after his Inauguration into office on November 12, 2024, a pro-democracy group, People's Assembly for Good Governance (PAGG) has accused Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo of failing woefully to tackle the worsening poverty, infrastructural decay, insecurity and declining living standards of Edo people.
In a damning assessment of the governor’s performance, midway into his four years tenure, PAGG (former Coalitions of Registered Political Parties) lamented that Edo people have endured two years of hardship, unfulfilled promises and poor governance.
In a joint statement by the national chairman, Dr. Samson Isibor and secretary, Mr. Chukwuemeka Nkama, PAGG noted that the living standards of residents had deteriorated since Governor Okpebholo assumed office, with poverty and economic hardship becoming increasingly widespread.
Isibor and Nkama said the administration had placed more emphasis on rhetoric than tangible achievements, insisting that the governor's performance fell short of the expectations of Edo people.
PAGG charged that roads across the state, including those in the Edo State capitol of Benin City and rural communities, remained in deplorable conditions, exposing residents to accidents, economic losses and other dangers.
It attributed the recent petrol tanker accident at Oluku, near Benin City to bad roads, a symptom of the failure of the administration to address critical infrastructural challenges.
The group also expressed deep concern over the state of public education in the state, alleging that most public schools lack adequate facilities, functional classrooms and sufficient teachers, while some pupils and students were forced to sit on bare floors.
It further accused the government of neglecting the agricultural sector, claiming that insecurity and poor road networks had made it difficult for farmers to access their farmlands and transport produce to markets.
PAGG specifically mentioned Sobe Farm, Warrake Farm and Anegbette Farm as agricultural settlements allegedly suffering from government neglect.
On electricity, the group blamed the persistent erratic power supply in the state on the government's inability to resolve its differences with Ossiomo Power Company, leaving residents and businesses at the mercy of inadequate electricity supply from the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).
Continuing, the organisation dismissed the administration's housing policy, noting that the absence of an effective low-cost housing programme had contributed to rising accommodation costs and placed additional pressure on workers and low-income earners.
While acknowledging the recent acquisition of 50 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses by the state government, PAGG described the number as inadequate, noting that a state of Edo's size required a more ambitious public transportation programme to make commuting affordable for residents.
The pro- democracy group further accused the administration of failing to revive moribund industries across the state, stimulate industrial activities and create meaningful employment opportunities.
"PAGG is concerned over alleged illegal collection of levies and multiple ticketing in markets. Traders and small-scale business owners are facing increased financial pressure.
The group said that it was deeply concerned over the growing debt profile of the Heartbeat of the Nation State, charging that the government had borrowed more than N172 billion without providing sufficient explanation on how the funds had been utilised.
The duo called for greater transparency and accountability in the management of public resources, particularly in view of the increased federal allocations and internally generated revenue available to the state.
Isibor and Nkama emphasized: "Okpebholo presides over a non-performing government. The administration's performance has not translated into meaningful improvements in the welfare of ordinary Edo residents.
"The governor's ambition of delivering 2.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections is a farce. The target would be difficult to achieve given the widespread public dissatisfaction.
"Edo voters would be more conscious of their electoral choices in future elections. Edo voters will not be caught off guard again."
According to them, health services in the state are nothing to write home about. The primary health services are available in few local government areas while there are shortages of health personnel in many of the primary health centers,"
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