Multi-Million Naira UBEC Facility In Edo Turns Criminal H!deout After Years Of Neglect
Multi-Million Naira UBEC Facility In Edo Turns Criminal Hideout After Years Of Neglect
The organisation explained that what was meant to serve as a youth empowerment hub for Iuleha communities has instead been abandoned, leaving the area exposed to insecurity and crime.
A multimillion-naira Universal Basic Education Vocational Centre in Uzebba, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, has been abandoned and taken over by hoodlums, raising serious concerns about wasted public funds and growing youth frustration in the area.
The facility, which was built to train and empower young people with essential vocational and technical skills, now lies in ruins. Its roofs have caved in, walls are crumbling, and the entire compound is covered with weeds — a stark reminder of failed government projects that once held great promise for the community.
According to a civic technology platform, Monitng, “Dear Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the multimillion-naira Universal Basic Education Vocational Centre in Uzebba, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, stands today as a sad reminder of government neglect and wasted public resources.”
The organisation explained that what was meant to serve as a youth empowerment hub for Iuleha communities has instead been abandoned, leaving the area exposed to insecurity and crime.
“This massive project, which was designed to train and empower young people with essential vocational and technical skills, has been completely abandoned. The roofs are collapsing, the walls are crumbling, and the entire facility has been overtaken by weeds and vandalised by hoodlums,” Monitng said.
The civic group noted that the project was originally facilitated by former lawmaker Hon. Pally Iriase to create opportunities for young people to learn trades, gain employment, and reduce crime.
However, despite eight years into Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration, the project has never been put to use.
“This vocational centre was facilitated by the former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Pally Iriase, to create opportunities for young people across Iuleha communities to learn trades, gain employment, and reduce crime.
“Unfortunately, eight years into Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration, the project has never been put to use. Instead of being a centre of hope and innovation, it has turned into a den for criminal activities and a symbol of broken promises.”
Monitng expressed concern that the facility’s location makes the neglect particularly ironic, given that it is situated in the hometown of the current Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, who also chairs the Universal Basic Education Committee at the National Assembly.
The group said, “What makes the situation even more disturbing is that this abandoned facility is located in the hometown of the current Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, who also serves as the Chairman of the Universal Basic Education Committee at the National Assembly. It is ironic and deeply troubling that a facility built under the Universal Basic Education Commission’s initiative has been left in total ruin under the watch of someone in such a strategic position of authority.”
Monitng also linked the failure to utilise the centre to the growing crime rate and drug-related incidents among youths in the area. It cited a recent tragedy involving the death of a 17-year-old secondary school student during an NDLEA raid.
It stated, “Recently, residents of Okeigho-Okpuje Iuleha community in Owan West LGA were thrown into mourning after operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) allegedly killed a 17-year-old secondary school student during a midnight raid. The NDLEA had stormed the community around 4 a.m. in an operation linked to drug-related activities. This tragic incident underscores the urgent need to invest in youth development projects like the Uzebba Vocational Centre, which could have provided viable alternatives to crime and substance abuse for young people in the area.”
The civic platform urged the state government and key political leaders representing the area to take immediate action to restore the abandoned project.
Monitng concluded, “We are calling on the Edo State Government, Governor Monday Okpebholo, Senator Adams Oshiomhole representing Edo North, and Hon. Julius Ihonvbere representing Owan Federal Constituency, to take immediate steps to rehabilitate and activate this facility. Restoring this centre will not only fulfil the purpose for which public funds were spent but also bring renewed hope to the youth of Iuleha communities.”
