Governor vows to complete Stella Obasanjo Hospital and Iyaro Education Hub before year-end
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has criticized the immediate past administration of Mr. Godwin Obaseki for commissioning several uncompleted projects, describing the action as deceptive and a disservice to the people of the state.
Okpebholo made the remarks during an inspection tour of the Stella Obasanjo Hospital and the Education Hub Complex at Iyaro, Benin City. The governor said he was “shocked” by the state of the facilities, which were publicly commissioned under the previous administration despite being far from completion.
“I do not know why the previous administration commissioned this hospital when work was still ongoing,” Okpebholo said. “It is wrong to mislead the people with such gestures. Our duty is to finish what was started and ensure that Edo people get full value for every naira spent.”
Accompanied by top government officials, the governor explained that the inspection was aimed at obtaining first-hand information on the state of infrastructure in key sectors such as health and education. He pledged to complete all abandoned or partially executed projects and restore public trust in government.
At the Stella Obasanjo Hospital, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, who led the governor around the facility, revealed that the hospital was only about 60 percent complete. He also disclosed that many of the beds were old and recycled from the previous structure.
“We have gone round the facility with His Excellency, and it’s clear that the hospital is far from completion,” Oshiomhole said. “The Governor has, however, directed that all necessary work be accelerated to bring it to 100 percent completion as quickly as possible.”
Governor Okpebholo assured residents that the hospital would be completed and fully operational before Christmas. He noted that while some progress had been made, critical sections such as the administrative block and the theatre remained unfinished.
Similarly, at the Iyaro Education Hub, the governor expressed disappointment that the complex was commissioned without power, equipment, or operational capacity.
“This building was hurriedly commissioned without power, equipment, or any operational capacity,” he lamented. “It is sad because there was really nothing to commission. Our focus now is to make this place fully functional, restore its purpose, and breathe life into the Ministry of Education.”
The contractor handling the project, George Bou Maroon, explained that the complex is designed to centralize all educational activities in the state. It will house the Ministry of Education, the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), a library board, auditorium, staff restaurants, and other administrative units.
Governor Okpebholo said his administration would mobilize contractors within weeks to resume work at the site after taking full inventory of the outstanding requirements. He reiterated his commitment to transparency and accountability in governance.
“We are not here to play politics with the lives of Edo people,” he declared. “Our mission is to rebuild, restore, and ensure every project serves the people. Edo people deserve honesty and visible progress, and that is exactly what this administration will deliver.”
