By Jethro Ibileke
The Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP), in Edo State, has called on the State House of Assembly to query Governor Monday Okpebholo over his approval for the construction of a ₦2.5 billion paediatric centre for the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).
CRPP made the call in a statement issued at the end of its annual meeting held in Benin on Friday, August 29, 2025, titled: “Spend Our Money Judiciously, Governor Monday Okpebholo Advised”, and signed by its Chairman, Dr. Samson Isibor.
Recall that the Governor had on Tuesday, August 26, expressly granted approval for the construction of a ₦2.5 billion paediatric healthcare centre by the state government for the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, as requested by the Chief Medical Director of the Hospital, Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, during a courtesy call.
The approval has attracted criticism from various quarters, including the opposition PDP, the Association of Resident Doctors and others.
The CRPP, while wondering if the construction was captured in the current state budget, described the donation as “uncalled for”, even as they advised Okpebholo to spend the state fund judiciously and not like Father Christmas.
The statement reads in part:
“Our agitation came following the donation of a whopping sum of ₦2.5 billion to the UBTH through the newly appointed Chief Medical Director, Prof. Ize-Iyamu. The donation is uncalled for. It is unheard of for a State Governor to donate a huge sum of money to a federally owned hospital, whereas many of our state hospitals and primary health centres are not up to standard. They are begging for manpower, renovations and expansion.
“Whereas the Federal Government has enough to give out, our state should not act like Father Christmas while our state is yearning for infrastructural development. The state needs money to fight insecurity, which is on the high side. Kidnappers have taken over our roads, while bandits and Fulani herdsmen are having a field day in our bushes, and farmers cannot access their farms. If part of the money is pumped into the security sector, it will go a long way to checkmate these marauders.
“This is one of the reasons why Edo State is experiencing high cost of food prices for the populace. A state that is seeking money to execute projects now turns to Father Christmas. It is an error. The new CMD of UBTH knows where to cry to if they are short of funds to execute their projects or expand their hospital; the Federal Ministry of Health is there to fund its hospitals.
“We call on the State House of Assembly to monitor the Governor’s spending, whether the ₦2.5 billion is in the 2025 budget; if not, the Governor should be queried.”
CRPP appealed to the Governor to utilise the ₦2.5 billion for the establishment of farm settlements to create employment for the youths.
“One of the areas to generate employment is through the establishment of farm settlements, just like that of Ekiti state. It has brought down the high food prices in that state, and the youths are smiling at the banks.
“Our state is yearning for the dividend of democracy, not as Father Christmas. Our people are really suffering. The Governor must be prudent in spending and work for the alleviation of the lamentation of the masses,” the statement concluded.
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