The recent administration under Governor Godwin Obaseki reportedly left a contractual debt of around ₦200 billion, primarily stemming from obligations to contractors who received only initial mobilization payments.
This information was shared at a press conference by Ernest Umakhikhe, the Chairman of the Assets Verification Committee, which was recently established by Governor Monday Okpebholo to investigate certain operations of the previous administration.
Umakhikhe noted, “There are significant unpaid obligations concerning road infrastructure. Despite the serious nature of our findings, the government must take advantage of the dry season to make substantial improvements in road construction.” He added that many ongoing projects were awarded in 2024, presenting the new government with a considerable financial responsibility of approximately ₦200 billion owed to contractors who had received mobilization payments – some of which were reportedly returned to government officials, according to various contractors.
Further insights into the committee’s findings revealed that the Okpebholo administration would need to act decisively to effectively utilize the dry season for enhancing the state’s road networks.
He described the situation surrounding the Radisson Hotel project as concerning. Although the State Government initiated the project by raising over ₦17.5 billion from the Stock Market and making an initial payment of ₦2 billion for land acquisition, control over the project shifted just before the previous administration left office, reducing Edo State’s stake to 20%.
Additionally, the Museum of West Africa Arts (MOWAA) has been established as a private trust on government-owned land, with minimal oversight from the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Tourism. Despite contributing ₦3.8 billion, Edo State currently lacks any equity in MOWAA.
The previous administration also committed to paying over ₦5 billion for cyber security software licenses for the EdoGov platform from 2023 to 2025, with ₦1.7 billion already paid. These are a few examples of the issues uncovered so far.
When the committee reconvenes on January 6, 2025, they plan to examine other critical areas of the state, including housing, education (such as SUBEB and EDOBEST programs), the Ministry of Environment, health colleges, agricultural projects, donor agency grants, the Edo Oil Palm Project, EDSOGPADEC, MOWAA, the Edo Electrification Agency, and the sale of shares in BUA Cement and the Modular Refinery, among others.
