Edo Govt, APC Clash Over Benin Monarch’s Burrow Pits

The Edo State government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have clashed over the alleged takeover of some burrow pits belonging to the Oba of Benin Oba Oba Ewuare II.

The Commissioner for Communication and Orientation Chris Nehikhare denied that Governor Godwin Obasekiseized burrow pits in Obagie N’ Evbosa in IkpobaOkha Local Government Area from the Benin monarch.

He said: “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 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.

“To put the records straight, the illegal activities at the burrow pits in Obagie N’ Evbosa 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 visited the area, the state government had in a public announcement urged operators to re – strict their mining activities to burrow pit sites approved by the government.”