By Newsmata
The Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo has commiserated with the grieving family of Pius Etim, a young man who tragically lost his life when a mast collapsed on him at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, following a heavy downpour on Thursday night.
Governor Okpebholo however held the immediate past Godwin Obaseki administration liable, blaming the collapse of the structure on alleged poor job executed by the contractors who handled the project and vowed to investigate it.
Expressing deep sadness and condolences to the family of the late Etim, a driver, over the incident which he described as “unfortunate, sad and painful”, Governor Okpebholo lampooned the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for gloating over the tragedy.
A statement by the chief press secretary to the governor, Fred Itua, quoted Okpebholo as saying, “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of a young man, Pius Etim, during the intense rainfall and collapse of a mast at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.
“Governor Okpebholo extends heartfelt condolences to the family of Pius Etim during this difficult time.
“On behalf of the people of Edo State, I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of Pius Etim. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this period of grief.”
However, condemning the attitude of leaders and members of the PDP who took to various social media platforms on Thursday night to celebrate the unfortunate death of Pius Etim,
Governor Okpebholo said such callousness and lack of empathy for the family of the deceased showed that the PDP in Edo State has lost touch with the people it once governed.
According to the governor, “Preliminary investigations show that the collapsed structure at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was erected by the administration of Godwin Obaseki, which did a shabby job. It is unfortunate that Obaseki and the PDP in Edo State, known for their lack of integrity, hired compromised contractors to erect defective structures at the stadium.
“The poor job executed by the administration of Obaseki at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, which led to the unfortunate death of Pius Etim, will be investigated. The contractors or PDP members who may have handled the poor job, if found liable, will face the full wrath of the law”.