The recent revelations surrounding the Benin Port Project have brought to light one of the many scandals that will be captured in the legacy of Governor Godwin Obaseki. Despite his claims of economic growth and monumental achievements, the truth behind his supposed accomplishments is starting to unravel. The Benin Port Project is a scam and exposes the falsehoods propagated by the Obaseki junta in Benin City.
The Illusion of Economic Growth:
One of Obaseki’s main talking points has been the assertion that he has transformed the Edo State economy, boasting of an $11 billion growth. Unfortunately, this claim is nothing but a smokescreen. The Benin Port Project, which was supposed to be a cornerstone of this economic revolution, reveals the hollowness of his words.
Broken Promises and Empty Committees
In 2016, Obaseki promised to build the Benin Port, raising hopes for economic development and job creation in the region. However, years later, we find ourselves in a state of disappointment. In 2017, Obaseki announced the formation of a committee to oversee the project. This move was presented as a step towards progress, but it turned out to be just another empty gesture.
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The Fictional Dredging Contract
Adding to the deception, in 2018, Obaseki signed a dredging contract with China Harbor Engineering Company (CHEC). The contract was touted as a crucial step towards kickstarting the Benin Port Project. Little did the people of Edo State know that this contract was nothing more than a façade to create an illusion of progress. No significant progress has been made since then, and the port remains nonexistent.
Scaling a Nonexistent Hurdle
In 2019, Obaseki shifted his focus to the dualization of the Ekenwan road, another promise that failed to materialize. But it was his audacious claim four years later, this week that attracts the most attention. He stated that he had successfully scaled a 75-year hurdle, referring to the purported longevity of the Benin Port Project. However, a closer examination of historical facts reveals the fallacy of his statement – there was neither a Nigeria nor an Edo State 75 years ago.
Methinks that Mr. Godwin Obaseki’s tenure as governor of Edo State has been marred by fictional legacies , with the Benin Port Project scam being just one of many examples. His grand promises of prosperity and economic growth in the state, economic wonders, job creation and all that have been mere illusion and empty rhetoric, leaving Edo people disillusioned and betrayed. It is crucial for the citizens of Edo State to be aware of this unending legacy and demand accountability from the man, when he leaves office.
Osehobo is Assistant State Publicity , APC, Edo State