Benin, Edo – A multi-million-naira project intended to serve as a recreational haven for Edo State civil servants continues to sit idle, its gates firmly shut, sparking widespread concern and frustration among residents.

The Edo State Civil Service Club and Recreational Centre, located in the Government Reserved Area (GRA) of Benin City, was a flagship initiative of the former administration under Governor Godwin Obaseki. However, nearly a year into the tenure of the current Governor, Monday Okpebholo, the state-of-the-art facility remains inaccessible to the public it was built to serve.

The facility, constructed by Dirus Integrated Services Limited and commissioned under the Obaseki administration, was designed as a space where civil servants could unwind, connect, and engage in recreational activities after years of dedicated service.

Despite its completion, the centre has remained under lock and key, prompting accusations of political sabotage.

In a strongly worded post on X Tuesday, @monitng called out Governor Okpebholo, questioning why the facility has not been opened to the civil servants it was intended for.

"This continuous closure is not punishing the former governor, Godwin Obaseki. Instead, it is unfairly depriving Edo State civil servants of the opportunity to enjoy a facility constructed with public funds," the post read.

@MonITNG urged the governor to prioritize the welfare of workers and commission the centre immediately, emphasizing that public projects should not be held hostage by political differences.

As of the time of this report, neither the Edo State Government nor Governor Okpebholo (@m_akpakomiza) has issued an official statement addressing the closure.