The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has criticized Governor Monday Okpebholo for claiming that he started the ongoing reconstruction of the Benin-Asaba Expressway, calling his statement misleading and incorrect.
In a statement on Saturday, the party’s caretaker committee’s Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, stated that the governor’s account does not reflect the true history of the project.
Nehikhare condemned comments made by the governor’s press secretary, which linked the road project to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He labeled the claims as political propaganda that misrepresents the facts.
The PDP spokesman said the expressway project was actually planned and finalized during the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki, through a partnership that involved private companies.
He said that In January 2024, Obaseki signed an agreement with several companies to begin the road’s redevelopment.
Nehikhare explained that the project is part of the federal government’s plan for highway development and has followed all necessary procedures.
He emphasized that the initiative is more than just a typical contract; as it represents a forward-thinking effort to improve infrastructure and create long-lasting economic benefits for the community.
Nehikhare claimed that the current APC-led federal government was not involved in planning or starting the project and suggested that the execution was intentionally delayed until after the upcoming Edo 2024 elections.
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The PDP described Gov. Okpebholo’s recent inspections of the project as publicity stunts that do not contribute to the project’s goals or funding.
The party urged the governor to focus on starting and completing his own projects that would have a real impact on the community instead of taking credit for projects started by his predecessor.
In a recent inspection, Gov. Okpebholo had praised the project as a significant achievement of President Tinubu’s agenda, claiming it is part of the president’s vision for development and a testament to the federal government’s commitments.
He described plans for the road, saying it would be 10 lanes wide, with five lanes in each direction, and referred to the support and involvement from federal officials during the project’s launch.
