OBA of Benin, Omo'N oba Erediauwa, yesterday debunked media reports at the weekend that he has banished the Minister of State for Works, Chris Ogiemwonyi, from entering his palace until the Federal Government rehabilitated the Benin-Ore Road.
photo: Rehabilitated minister
The palace described the reports as "misleading and untrue."
It was reported in some national dailies last Saturday that the monarch was angry with the minister when he and some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) visited his palace where he said he would no longer welcome the minister into his palace until the road is fixed.
But in a statement yesterday signed by the Secretary to the Palace of the Oba of Benin, Oronsanye Guobadia, and made available to newsmen in Benin, the monarch said "it is generally not the tradition of the Oba's Palace to respond to every false and inaccurate news item, but we are constrained to do so, this time, because of the undeserved embarrassment and denigrating innuendos, our beloved and highly esteemed Minister of State for Works, Chris Ogiemwonyi, faced, arising from the mischievous and distasteful news reports of the Minister's visit to the Palace on Friday February 25, 2011.
"In the said publications, it was variously reported that the Minister has been 'banished' from the Oba's Palace over the Benin-Ore Road. We view this report as a calculated attempt to provoke a controversy between a high achieving and deeply respected Benin leader and the Oba's Palace.
"At no time did the Omo N'Oba threaten to banish the Minister over the Benin-Ore road project, during the visit or issue any ultimatum to the Minister or contractors handling the road project.
"We view reports of such ultimatum and banishment as a serious and ill- motivated effort to portray the Oba's Palace in bad light. With the kindest consideration, the Oba's palace is pleased with the sterling performance of the minister since his assumption of office, despite the administrative budgetary constrains associated with the federal ministries. The Omo N'Oba expressed deep surprise on why Benin-Ore Road project is being delayed, while work has commenced on the Benin-Abraka Road, " he stated.
Other News:
FG to involve private sector in Benin-Ore-Lagos road project
By GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE
MINISTER of State for Works, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, yesterday, in Benin, Edo State, disclosed that the Federal Government may consider the involvement of the private sector for the full reconstruction of the Benin-Ore-Lagos Road.
He also disclosed that the rehabilitation work currently on-going on the road will terminate at Ofosu, the boundary town between Edo and Ondo States and was expected to be completed by November, 2012.
Ogiemwonyi made these disclosures during an interactive session with journalists in Benin.
He explained that the Federal Government decided to embark on the project in phases because of the high cost involved in the construction of the road, which is now over 30 years.
“What we are doing is a palliative measure,” he added.
The remedy for the Benin-Ofosu-Shagamu road is a full reconstruction because of the age of the road. It is an expensive project.
‘Government alone cannot do it which is why we are looking at Public Private Partnership in the reconstruction of the road.”
He said the participating private sectors on the road reconstruction would be allowed to operate toll gates to enable them recover cost expended on the road.
