Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Edo State Government has rejected reports alleging widespread non-payment of teachers’ salaries, describing such claims as misleading and lacking specific evidence.
The State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, debunked the claim during the monthly media briefing in Benin City.
Prince Afegbua challenged individuals making the allegations to provide the names of affected teachers and details of their cases.
“If any particular individual has not received a salary, the proper thing is to find out why that person did not receive payment. People should not simply make blanket claims that teachers are being owed”, Afegbua said.
Afegbua noted that the current administration has employed more than 5,000 teachers and that this has helped to improve learning.
He said that the government has embarked on numerous projects across the state amid criticism that resources are being concentrated in certain areas.
According to him, the administration remains committed to developing all parts of Edo State, including rural communities and previously neglected settlements.
“We are proud to have a governor who is developing every aspect of the state, whether it is a village, hamlet, or urban centre,”
He cited the construction of a 14-kilometre road in an area that had long suffered from poor infrastructure, arguing that opening up rural communities would attract investors, encourage commercial farming, and stimulate economic growth.
He maintained that development efforts are spread across Edo 18 local government areas and are designed to improve the well-being of residents regardless of their social status or location.
“Democracy is for the good of the people. Government policies must impact the lives of the majority while creating an enabling environment for individuals and communities to thrive.”
Addressing concerns about security, the commissioner explained that some infrastructure projects were strategically located to combat criminal activities, including kidnapping, increased economic and educational activities in affected areas.
He also highlighted investments in educational and health institutions, including schools of nursing and health technology, as part of broader efforts to drive development and create opportunities across the state.
He said the state government is committed to balancing development, insisting that projects worth billions of naira are being executed across the state despite political criticism from opponents.
On the part of Commissioner for Public Security and Safety, Festus Ebea, he said the state has done a lot in improving the security architecture of the state.
He frowned at the recent self-kidnapped incident that happened in the state noting that the government has zero tolerance for such act.
Ebea also decried the the rising cases of drug abuse by the youths, stressing that the state is working round the clock to put a stop to such a rising ugly incident.
For the Commissioner for Transport, Saturday Uwuilekhue, he said the state government remains committed to implementing policies and programmes that will ensure safety, security, efficiency, and orderliness within the transportation sector in the state.
Uwuilekhue who called on transport operators, stakeholders, and members of the public to support these initiatives and comply with all transportation regulations for the overall development of the state, said that, together, we can build a transportation system that will meet global standards and supports the economic aspirations of the state.
