By Osagie Otablor
Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s dream is to build three model secondary schools before leaving office next year. Though the schools are near completion, work is stalled because of abandonment by contractors and lack of funds, reports OSAGIE OTABOR (Benin).
When he assumed office seven years ago, Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole promised to build three model secondary schools before his tenure expires. He is leaving office next year, but the schools are yet to be completed. Why? Politics? Paucity of funds? Sabotage? Contractors, falure to deliver?
His Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Prince Kassim Afegbua blames it all on “contractors who disappointed the government.” He promised that the governor will deliver the schools before his exit next year.
It all began in 2009 when in his maiden budget presentation to the House of Assembly, Oshiomhole pledged to build the model schools in Benin, the Edo State capital, Iyamho in Estako West Local Government and Ewohinmi in Esan South East Local Government.
Then, the House of Assembly was controlled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with Garuba Zakawanu as Speaker.
The lawmakers initially refused to approve the budget. When it was approved, the model schools were one of the projects removed from it. In 2011, the projects were again included in the budget; and it was approved.
Their construction began in July of that year. Each college on completion, will boast of two blocks of 27 classrooms, three fully-equipped science laboratories, a fully-stocked library, canteen, 1,500-capacity hall and sporting facilities.
At the foundation laying of the schools, Oshiomhole said the government wanted to fix what was wrong and give Edo children a platform to realise their potential.
“The schools have been designed to ensure that when completed, they would compare favourably with any secondary school anywhere in the world. Our policy is that our people deserve the best and if you look at the schools we have renovated, you would agree that we are not just talking; we are practicing what we are talking. When the schools are completed, Edo people will be proud of what they have.”
One of the schools on the premises of New Era College, on Upper Mission Road, Benin City, is at the roofing stage.
Few workers were seen around the structure though they were not working when The Nationvisited. They told our reporter that they just did some repairs.
Some pupils who spoke with The Nation expressed disappointment that the school was yet to be completed, noting that its construction started when they were in JSS2. They said they had looked forward to attending the school.
One of them, who refused to give his name, said: “I was in JSS2 when they started the school and was very happy. I am sad that I might not attend the school.”
Another pupil, now in SS1, expressed the hope that the school would be completed next year so that she would be part of it before she leaves school.
“I just want the government to hasten the construction so that I will join others to enjoy the facilities,” she said.
Some teachers refused to comment, saying they were not authorised to speak as civil servants.
Explaining the delay in the project, Afegbua blamed it on contractors, who abandoned the job.
He said: “The one in Benin City has reached the roofing stage but there was some sort of hiccup from the contractor, ditto for the one in Edo Central which has also been commenced. We had to convert the one in Edo North to be part of the almost completed University of Science and Technology.
We may not have applied the initial speed with which we started off because the contractors sort of disappointed us but we are on with the projects.
“There was a little set back in the area of contractors because we wanted the best. Some of these contractors absconded. We have put in machinery in motion to see how we can repackage our approach to building them. We are now financially handicap.”
Afegbua said the government would do its best to complete the projects.
“If situation improves, we might continue to a point that the successive government will finish them. It is an idea we cannot run away from.
“Oshiomhole is very serious about education that is why he has been able to renovate a lot of schools and do a lot in the tertiary institutions. As much as we are willing to do so much, the revenue accruing to the state is so little that a lot of our capital projects are being affected. The good news is that we have continuously maintained that whatever project we have started, we are going to complete at the expiration of the tenure of Governor Oshiomhole. We are not going to handover uncompleted projects.
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