News
Why Edo Govt Cannot Repair Federal Roads – Obaseki
Published
2 years agoon
By
Editor
By Joseph Ebi Kanjo
… Laments FG Treating Edo People Unfairly
The governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has revealed why his government cannot rehabilitate collapse portions of federal roads in the state.
He said the confusing policies and procedures put in place by the Federal Government as regard repair of its (Federal Government) roads has made it difficult for any state government to embark on repair of federal roads.
Obaseki who made this known in Wednesday when he paid a visit to the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Edo State council, Benin, lamented that as a governor his legs and hands are tired as regards repair of federal roads.
He added: “We are in a very difficult situation in Edo. Our hands and legs are tied and they say we should run. because the only governmemt people know is their state government.”
READ ALSO: Obaseki Takes Over Supervision Of Revenue Generation, Queries PS, Others
He continued: “Federal policy relating to its road is very confusing. In the past we could go as a state, rehabilitate and go and give the Federal Government the bill and say we have carried out palliative on your roads, please refund, and we would get the refund. At a point they said state can only apply and take over those roads, but I am yet to see the state they have given federal road to repair.”
The Governor who said his attempt to carry out palliatives measure on a federal road in the state was frustrated, disclosed: “I will give you an example. Auchi-Ibilo road was so bad, contractors were not mobilised there, so we say we want to carry out palliative measure on the road, but they so no. They said it is a federal road and that the road has already been given to a contractor. What do we do in this kind of situation.
“Even when I said I want to fix Benin-Sapele Road now, I am not allowed to. Because first, it is not our road, and secondly the Federal Government feels they have already given out the road to contractor.”
Obaseki who lamented that Edo people are being unfairly treated by the Federal Government in what he termed ‘probably because of their political stance’, declared that Nigeria belongs to everyone hence individuals should be treated in a fair manner.
READ ALSO: Obaseki Meets Revenue Directors, Prioritize Land Use Charge, Property Tax Implementation
He said: “I am not here to critise the Federal Government, but I am here to say that we are all Nigerians. So, it is only fair and proper that the Federal Government treat Nigerians like human being. Treating us the way we are being treated in Edo State, as if we do not belong to this country, it is really really unfair. You don’t have to vote for a government for the government to care about you, we are all Nigerians.
He added: “It is like you have no one to talk to on these bad roads. When you call the federal road controller, he will say he is in Abuja. It is like no body care in Abuja. Because we come from Edo, they don’t care about us, they don’t like us, if they do we will know.”
On why he visited the secretariat of the NUJ, the Governor said he was there to seek journalists support for the task ahead in the next few months, and to also let know what he has done so far in the past six years, boasting that he has done much but just don’t like noise.
“I am here to reconnect as I started six years ago. In the next few months, many things will be happening, and I will be relying on you. They said we have not done anything, but we know we have done much. We just decided that for people to know what we are doing, we will get the journalists who are objective like you to do the job of informing them,” he added.
READ ALSO: Your Leadership Acumen Now Reference Point – Edo NUJ Chairman Celebrates Obaseki On Birthday
He continued: “I am here to tell you that we are still partners. They said Obaseki is not doing anything, we have not seen anything he has done, but I want to tell you that we have done much, and very soon we will be rolling out our works. We are concerned about the next generation of Edo. How do we ensure our children have the best education.”
Obaseki who eulogized chairman of the council, Festus Alenkhe, for the ongoing transformation in the Edo NUJ, said Alenkhe is replicating the kind of transformation his governmemt is doing in Edo State particularly in public and civil service.
“Congratulations Mr. Chairman. The amount of improvement I saw, I am proud of you. I am proud of you because you have taken the kind of transformation we are taking as a Government.”
You may like
Obaseki: Leader, I Know How Pained You Are,’ Wike Apologises To Oshiomhole
Obaseki Reacts To Supreme Court Judgment
Easter: Edo NUJ Chairman Felicitates Christians, Journalists
100 Days In Office: Edo NUJ Correspondents Chapel Congratulates Okpebholo, Pledges Support
Alleged N95bn LG Fraud: Edo To Prosecute Obaseki, PDP Leaders, Others, Says Okpebholo
Okpebholo Inherited N682bn Debt From Obaseki Govt – Committee
News
Sanwo-Olu makes U-turn, Unblocks Lawyer Who Sued Him Over Blocking On X
Published
6 hours agoon
September 13, 2025By
Editor
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has unblocked human rights lawyer, Festus Ogun, on X after a meeting with him at Lagos House, Marina, on Friday.
The lawyer, who had accused the governor of rights violations, announced the development in a post on his X account on Saturday.
According to him, Sanwo-Olu personally invited him for a brief meeting to address his complaints.
“Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has unblocked me on X (Twitter). I met briefly with him yesterday at Lagos House Marina, on his invitation, to amicably resolve my complaint of human rights violations. We will continue to hold authorities accountable, regardless. Aluta continua!” Ogun wrote.
READ ALSO:Lawyer Sues Sanwo-Olu For Blocking Him On X
Tribune Online reports that Ogun had earlier filed a suit against Sanwo-Olu at a Federal High Court in Lagos, accusing him of violating his fundamental rights by blocking him on his verified X account.
In the suit marked FHC/L/CS/1739/25, which he shared on Facebook, the lawyer claimed the governor blocked him over his 2021 “constructive criticisms” and “demand for accountability” on the October 2020 #EndSARS killings.
“In 2021, I noticed that the Governor blocked me on his official X handle @jidesanwoolu owing to my constructive criticisms of his policies and demand for accountability in respect of the October 2020 #EndSARS Massacre.”
READ ALSO:‘Court Of Corruption’ — Obasanjo Knocks INEC Chairman, Judiciary In New Book
Ogun said the action has prevented him from accessing vital government updates and information.
“Blocking me on X has prevented me from accessing public updates and receiving information about policies and governance in Lagos, which constitutes a violation of my right to receive information without interference,” he said.
In his originating summons, he asked the court to declare the move unconstitutional, arbitrary, and discriminatory.
News
Tragedy Deepens As Prime Suspect in Taraba Student’s Death Found Dead
Published
6 hours agoon
September 13, 2025By
Editor
The investigation into the death of Comfort Jimtop, a 100-level Mass Communication student at Taraba State University, has taken a dramatic turn following the discovery of the lifeless body of Emmanuel Kefas, the prime suspect in the case.
Kefas’s body was discovered on Friday in the Tudiri community, Ardo-Kola Local Government Area, under unclear circumstances, intensifying public concern and adding a tragic dimension to a case that has already gripped the university community and residents across Taraba State.
Confirming the development on Saturday, the spokesperson for the Taraba State Police Command, James Lashen, said the police received a report from the village head of Tudiri about the discovery.
READ ALSO:Army Kills Notorious Bandit, Babangida, In Kogi
“A lifeless body was found in Tudiri, and a Tecno Android phone was recovered beside it,” Lashen stated.
“Upon charging the phone, investigators found a photograph showing the deceased with the late Comfort Jimtop, suggesting they were in a romantic relationship.”
Lashen added that the body has been taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Jalingo for autopsy. At the same time, efforts are ongoing to officially identify the remains through the suspect’s family.
READ ALSO:Four Feared Killed As Gunmen Attack Burial Ceremony In Anambra
Police have yet to determine whether Kefas’s death was the result of suicide, homicide, or an accident. Investigations into both deaths are continuing.
Comfort Jimtop’s mysterious death had earlier sparked outrage on campus and across the state, with students and rights groups demanding justice. Kefas was named a prime suspect in the case, which remains open.
This latest development has left many unanswered questions and deepened the grief surrounding the case.
Students, residents, and civil society groups are closely monitoring the situation, calling on authorities to ensure a thorough investigation and bring clarity to the tragic chain of events.
News
Ossiomo, Chinese Impasse: This Is Our Story — Management
Published
8 hours agoon
September 13, 2025By
Editor
The management of Ossiomo Power Plant has cleared the air on the dispute between its Chinese partners and the circumstances surrounding the shutting down of the power plant early this month.
Representative of Ossiomo management, Engineer Festus Evbuomwan, during an interactive session with customers on the impasse between the two partners, said contrary to the rumour making the rounds, the management of Ossiomo Power Plant had paid over ₦2bn to its Chinese partner — Jiangsu Communication Clean Energy Technology (CCETC) — since the power plant started operation.
Recall that representative of CCETC who identified himself as Mr. ‘W’ had, during a telephone phone interview two weeks ago, claimed that “instruction to shutdown was because we lost lots of money and did not get any return on investment,” adding that “all the $20m investment was done by us including the distribution lines.”
But Evbuomwan during the interactive session, said the management was not aware of the $20m investment the Chinese partner claimed, just as he disclosed that “when they generate power, we sell and pay them.”
READ ALSO:Edo Govt Denies Shares As Ownership Tussle Rocks Ossiomo Power
He disclosed that after shutting down the power plant, the Chinese partners came up with a request of ₦185m to be paid to two Chinese not known to the management, stressing that this was declined.
According to him, the Chinese partner, having seen how lucrative the business is, “went to some quarters and raised some issues probably thinking they can manoeuvre us with the help of some big persons, so that they can use their machines to generate power and sideline us but this is not possible.”
“The Chinese partners also claimed that they borrowed $20m from their native land to invest, we are not aware of such investment, and we do not know where the money was invested up till now.
“They have been also saying they have not been receiving anything, but I want to tell you unequivocally that first, the partners run a joint account where their investment is going into. More so, The Chinese partners have received over ₦2bn so far for the power they generate with their machines. When they generate the power, we sell and pay them.”
READ ALSO: Five Years After, Edo Govt Reconnects To BEDC As Ossiomo Shut Down
Engr. Evbuomwan, while apologising to customers for the power outage caused by the dispute between the two partners, said Ossiomo had started power generation though not in full capacity, assuring that power generation would be fully restored soon.
“We have purchased turbines, and one have started working. They are working on the second one, so, by the time our five turbines start working we will be in full capacity. Even with that, those connected to the government may not be reached immediately. This is because the government bought the poles and contracted the wiring, and we cannot force the government to do our bid. Also, we are making efforts to site 33kva transformer along Airport Road and Lagos Road as soon as possible, so that our customers there will get power.”
He said the Edo State government does not have a stake in the company, just as he appealed to the “government to let us supply power to customers in through their Lines. I want to emphasise that Ossiomo is not completely shut down.”
He further urged the “government to encourage the Nigerian citizens to invest and not to work against local investors.”
- ADC Will Take Over Aso Rock, Lagos Govt House In 2027 — Aregbesola
- Nigerians Who Have Broken Guinness World Records
- What To Know About Albania’s AI Minister, Diella
- Sanwo-Olu makes U-turn, Unblocks Lawyer Who Sued Him Over Blocking On X
- Tragedy Deepens As Prime Suspect in Taraba Student’s Death Found Dead
- Ossiomo, Chinese Impasse: This Is Our Story — Management
- Israel-Palestine Conflict: Nigeria, 141 Countries Endorse Two-State Solution
- Five Soft Skills Every Graduate Must Have In Today’s Job Market
- 2027: Details Of Jonathan, Peter Obi Meeting Emerge
- Start A Small Business In These 7 Steps
Trending
- Metro4 days ago
Police Vows To Arrest Killers of NSCDC Officers In Edo
- News4 days ago
FULL LIST: FG Releases Approved Subjects For Basic, Senior Secondary Education
- News5 days ago
OPINION: When The Dead Can’t Rest In Peace
- News4 days ago
Edo Govt Denies Shares As Ownership Tussle Rocks Ossiomo Power
- Metro4 days ago
Tragedy As Traders, Ocha Brigade Clash At Onitsha Market
- Politics4 days ago
Warri Delineation: Ijaw, Urhobo Boycott CVR, Demand S’Court Judgment Implementation
- Politics4 days ago
BREAKING: INEC Recognises David Mark-led ADC Leadership
- Headline5 days ago
US Arrests Convicted Nigerian In Illegal Migrants Crackdown
- Headline4 days ago
PDP Dead, Buried, Controlled By APC – Dino Melaye
- News4 days ago
Delta Govt Closes Six Unapproved Schools