In the sentence given below a part is underlined and for that part options are given. Choose the most suitable option that can replace the underlined part.
The poor villagers had said they did not know how to use the solar powered pump, because of lack of knowledge right now.
Answer: A
Answer is “have been saying “ because this is the correct form (continuous) of the tense. The villagers have been doing this action. Had implies an action that had happened in the past, though the sentence clearly indicates the act of expressing is a present action.