The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday vowed to investigate the alleged abandoned N1 billion contract for the construction of a model secondary school at Ewohimi in Esan South-East local government area.
John Yakubu, the running mate to the party’s governorship candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu made the remark at a campaign rally held at the community.
Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole had at the beginning of his second tenure approved the establishment of three model secondary schools in each of the senatorial districts.
The schools were approved to be established at Iyahmo, the governor’s community for Edo North, New Era college for Edo South and Ewohimi, Oshiomhole’s late wife, Clara village for Edo Central senatorial respectively.
While it was alleged that, that of Edo North has been completed the ones for Edo Central and Edo South senatorial seemed to have been abandoned.
Yakubu at the rally urged the people of the state to ask Oshiomhole what happened to the N1 billion meant for the reconstruction of Pilgrim Baptist High School, Ewohinmi approved for the model school.
The former chairman of Esan North-East local government also alleged that the money rather than being spent for the project it was earmarked for, ended up in the private pockets of a contractor.
He assured that when voted into power, the party will investigate the contractor and retrieve the money from him so that it can be better utilized for the rebuilding of the Pilgrims Baptist High School, Ewohinmi, which has been abandoned.
“What I am saying is that the school contract was awarded for one billion Naira but if you go to the school you will find that the work done is not up to 20 percent of the total amount”, he said.
At the rally which brought supporters from Ewatto, Ewohimi and Ohordua communities together he said the trend was embarrassing for a governor who delights in accusing others of stealing public funds.
In his speech, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the PDP governorship candidate said his government would provide all the schools in the state with science laboratories, boarding facilities as well as sport centres.
“Schools is not about red roofs alone ; what is important is that the schools should have teachers , science laboratories, boardinghouse and sporting facilities in addition students in higher institutions will get bursaries and scholarships”, he stated.
