The Edo State Government and the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have clashed over alleged takeover of some burrow pits traditional belonging to the palace of the Benin Monarch.

Reacting to the allegation, the Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare said the attention of the government has been drawn to “a spurious, incredibly ridiculous, and misleading report by an online news purporting that the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, seized burrow pits in Obagie N’ Evbosa, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the State, from the Benin monarch.

“Nothing can be farther from the truth. The hogwash is a figment of the writer’s imagination in a desperate and futile attempt to hoodwink the people and tarnish the image of the governor and the very cordial relationship between our revered monarch and the governor.

“The writer is another hireling of the defeated, defanged, and disgruntled politicians who are angered that Governor Obaseki has denied them access to the people’s treasury and have now embarked on conspiracy theories and campaigns of calumny to incite Edo people, undermine peace and safety in the State in a desperate move to get back at the governor.

Continuing, he said. “To put the records straight, the illegal activities at the burrow pit in Obagie N’ Evbosa, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the State were discovered during the State Executive Council visit to CORAL City, which is being developed by the State Government to decongest Benin City.

“The illegal pit where the operators carry out their activities is part of the Coral City.

“Before the Council’s visit to the area, the State Government had in a public announcement urged operators to restrict their mining activities to burrow pit sites approved by the Government,” Nehikhare said.

Reacting, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council through a press statement issued by the Director of Media, APC Campaign Council, Kasim Afegbua said the party authoritatively gathered that the state government has allocated the pits operated by the Palace to some individuals but that the attempt to return same to the Palace was as a result of public outcry.

Afegbua urged the Edo state government to desist from threatening the publisher of the news story with legal action or security operatives.

The statement reads. “The APC Governorship Campaign Council wishes to address the recent controversy surrounding the burrow pits in the Obagie N’ Evbosa axis of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State. Authoritative sources have confirmed that these pits, traditionally operated by the Palace of the Benin Monarch, were allocated by the Edo State Government to a private individual. This decision has sparked significant concern among the people of Edo State.

“We are aware that the Edo State Government’s decision to reverse its allocation was largely due to the public outcry following the exposure of this information by an online medium.

“The dissemination of this information to the public has been instrumental in prompting the government to reconsider its position. The APC Campaign Council commends the role of the media in bringing such issues to light, ensuring transparency and accountability in governance.

“However, we strongly condemn the subsequent actions taken by the Edo State Government to harass the publisher of the online medium.

“The reported threats of court orders, alongside the involvement of the Police and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), are unnecessary and constitute an attempt to intimidate and suppress the freedom of the press. Such actions are counter-productive and undermine the principles of democracy and free speech.”

Meanwhile the National Union of Edo South Youths (NUESY) called on the Edo State government to address allegations of taking over burrow pits owned by the Benin Monarch’s palace and transferring them to individuals

Speaking at a press briefing in Benin City yesterday, NUESY President, Comrade Collins Osaghae said the issue of the burrow pits is one among several unresolved matters affecting Edo people.

He also demanded explanations for the uncompleted Tenboga Road project which the governor commissioned, including its cost and reasons for abandonment, as well as the Governor’s recent delegation of the suspended Isekhure to a Niger Delta Program before his removal.

Osaghae expressed concerns over the continued recognition of defiant enigies suspended by the Oba and emphasized the importance of the Governor respecting traditional institutions on his way out of office.

He urged the governor to provide clear answers and uphold integrity in his actions, reminding him of his prior commitments.

Additionally, Osaghae called for transparency on scholarships and direct empowerment initiatives over the past seven years, the status of the Benin royal museum previously budgeted for, and the Shoprite business.

He stressed the need for clarity and accountability from the governor on these developments to ensure the needs and expectations of Edo State citizens are met. (New Telegraph)

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