The Edo State Government has defended its record amid growing criticism, saying Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration has made significant progress across key sectors in the last 18 months.
Speaking with journalists in Benin on Wednesday, Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Prince Kassim Afegbua, dismissed recent protests and claims of poor governance, describing critics as “faceless individuals” without political credibility.
He said the administration has focused on tackling inherited problems such as infrastructural decay, weak social services and security challenges, noting that aggressive road construction and rehabilitation projects are ongoing across the state.
He said ongoing projects include the Ramat Park and Adesuwa Junction flyovers on Sapele Road, reconstruction of Ekewan Road, and several internal roads in Benin City and other parts of the state.
He added that work on major inter-city routes like the Ekpoma–Uromi road is nearing completion, while maintenance is underway on the Benin–Ekpoma–Auchi axis to ease movement.
Afegbua said that despite delays from early rains, the government is fast-tracking infrastructure delivery, with several roads completed or at advanced stages.
In the education sector, he disclosed that about 80 public schools have so far been renovated and equipped with basic facilities such as desks, chairs and improved roofing, compared to the poor conditions inherited by the administration.
He further revealed that over 6,000 teachers have been recruited into the state’s workforce, alongside more than 1,000 health workers engaged to strengthen service delivery.
On healthcare, Afegbua said the government has constructed about 75 primary healthcare centres across the state, with a target of 160 by the end of its first term.
He added that many of the facilities have been equipped to provide immediate services, particularly in rural communities.
He also stated that work has resumed at the state’s specialist hospital project, which was inherited at about 55 per cent completion, expressing optimism that substantial progress would be achieved before the end of the year.
Highlighting recent interventions in higher education, Afegbua said the governor approved a N2 billion grant for Edo State University, Iyamho, to support infrastructural development, while also increasing its monthly subvention from N100 million to N250 million.
He added the government has also initiated financial support programmes, including a N1 billion interest-free loan scheme for small businesses and another N1 billion earmarked for student bursaries.
Afegbua said the administration has taken steps to boost rural development by providing equipment to local governments to facilitate road maintenance and improve access to remote communities.
On security, he acknowledged concerns over kidnapping but noted that intensified operations, collaboration with security agencies and deployment of patrol vehicles and motorcycles have begun to yield results, with reported decline in incidents in recent weeks.
He called on residents to support government efforts by providing useful information to security agencies and fulfilling their tax obligations to enable sustained development.
Afegbua maintained the administration remains committed to practical governance and urged journalists and residents to verify projects independently rather than rely on what he described as misleading narratives
Edo Defends Performance, Dismisses Critics as Faceless
