Obaseki Does Not Need FG Approval To Fix Roads In Edo State-Umahi

Works Minister, Dave Umahi, said on Wednesday that Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki, does not the permission of the Federal government to give quality life to the people of the state. 

Umahi, the immediate past governor of Ebonyi state, made the clarification while reacting to a statement credited to the governor.

While visiting Igarra for the inauguration of Venerable Ebenezer Saiki as the second Bishop of Akoko-Edo Diocese at St. James Cathedral, Ugbogbo, Igarra, Akoko Edo council area of the state, Obaseki alleged that the federal government refused him request to fix the dilapidated federal roads despite many entreaties.

He also called on residents and other road users to plead with the federal government to allow the state to fix them.

“I saw where something was credited to him. I believe he didn’t say so. But if he said so, this is the answer: that was not the true position. The true position is that all governors, and when I was governor, we also intervened in federal roads. My position is that when the people are suffering due to bad roads, the people do not know which one is federal, which one is state, and which one is local government.

“He doesn’t need our permission as such to intervene, to give a better life to the people of Edo State and other Nigerians that are using the roads.

“I want him to approach the Ministry of Works and seek permission. I am going to visit Edo State, and I am going to look at those roads. Every road in this country becomes a priority and we are going to face the challenges within the limit of the scarce resources.

Umahi urged the governor not to trivialize important issues, particularly as they affect critical infrastructure, emphasizing that he is free to fix federal roads in the state as the Federal government cannot stop governors from road repairs.

According to him, the priority of the federal government is to maintain roads across the country. 

The minister who referred to the governor's claims as cheap attempt at blackmail, cautioned him against politicising road rehabilitation, noting that elections are over.

 “The ministry is willing to speedup approval for the state government to carry out rehabilitation of the bad potions. 

“I will advise my brother and friend, Governor Godwin Obaseki, to stop playing politics with the lives of his citizens. He should stop trivalising the lives of his people on the alter of politics. Election has been won and lost”.

Umahi added that he will given approval within two hours to the governor even he sought permission through WhatsApp it text message. 

“If he approaches me by whatever means to seek permission, even if he sends me requests by WhatsApp or whatever, I will give him approval within two hours so that he can start. But I am going to visit Edo state and I am going to look at those roads,” the minister added.