As reactions continue to trail the N2.5 billion donation to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, by the Edo State Government, the Coalition of Registered Political Parties, CRPP, has urged the Governor Okpebholo not to be a Father Christmas to the Federal Government while the state is yearning for infrastructural developments.

Ekwutosblog reports that the state chairman of CRPP Dr Samson lsibor made the appeal in a statement released to newsmen on Friday, in Benin City.

Isibor who described the donation as uncalled for, also urged the governor to be prudent in spending and work alleviate the lamentations of the masses.

He urged the governor to judiciously preside over the utilisation of the state’s funds, opining that the management of UBTH knows where to cry to if they are short of funds to execute projects or expand the hospital.

“God bless our state that 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 lamentations of the masses.

“The donation is uncalled for. It is unheard of for a State Governor to donate a huge sum of money to a Federal-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. It does not concern the state government, whereas the Federal Government has enough to give out. Our state should not act like Father Christmas while our state is yearning for infrastructural developments.

“UBTH knows where to cry 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.

“The governor’s advisers should live up to expectations by giving quality advice to their boss, but it is another thing for the Governor to take the seamless advice.

“We are appealing to the Governor to spend our patrimony judiciously for the betterment of Edo people”, he said.

The CRPP chairman, called on the State House of Assembly to monitor the Governor’s spending to ascertain if the N2.5 billion is captured in the 2025 budget.

He said if not in the 2025 budget the House should query the Governor, positing that if the N2.5 billion is well utilized, it will create thousands of employment to youths, especially the unemployed graduates that are roaming the towns and villages thereby constituting security threats to the people.

Isibor advocated that one of the areas to generate employment is through the establishment of farm settlements like that of Ekiti State, stating that the settlements have not only brought down the high food prices in that state but that youths are now smiling to the banks.

He averred that 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. The farmers cannot access their farms. If part of this 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. A state that is seeking money to execute projects now turns to Father Christmas. It is an error”, he added.