The Edo State Assets Verification Committee on Thursday said some roads awarded by the immediate past government of Godwin Obaseki were not properly documented.
DAILY POST reports that the chairman of the committee, Dr Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe disclosed this at a press briefing in Benin City.
Umakhihe said the roads were not properly documented in the records of the Ministry of Roads and Bridges, now Ministry of Works presented to the committee.
He, however, disclosed that the immediate past government left a huge financial burden of about N200 billion to the new government of Monday Okpebholo being outstanding payment to contractors handling road projects in the State
Umakhihe, who claimed that the road projects were awarded in 2024, alleged that the contractors were only given mobilisation.
He noted that in some cases the money was paid back to government officials as disclosed by some contractors.
He opined that the development, however, slowed down the pace of work on the roads
The former Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security added that the committee also observed a poor level of supervision by the supervising Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs.
He also alleged that the award of the roads was ostensibly informed by the election of September 21, 2024 governorship election.
“There was also non-adherence to the Edo State Public Procurement Law in the award of major contracts, which also led to several dubious variations of contract sums.
“In some cases, the variations were higher than the initial contract sum,” he said.
He, however, disclosed that the committee has informed the Governor of the need to utilize the opportunity of the dry season to continue some of the hurriedly awarded road projects across the state.
According to him, we cannot deny Edo people the opportunity of a good road network, especially during this dry season, hence the need for the government to quickly act in good time to sustain some of the ongoing road projects.
“There are huge outstanding commitments in respect of road infrastructure. No matter how indecent some of our findings are, the government has to explore the dry season to make an appreciable intervention in road construction,” he added.
Umakhihe said the press briefing was to update and avail the general public some of the committee’s findings which form an interim report they have forwarded to the Governor to act on.
He said that the committee which would be going on recess will resume on January 6, 2025, to continue its assignment as captured in the terms of reference, hence, the need to present some findings to guide the operations of government and governance.
Some roads awarded by ex-Governor Obaseki not properly documented – Gov Okpebholo
