11th November, 2024
By Jethro Ibileke
The All Progressives Congress (APC) transition committee in Edo State has alleged that outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki is leaving the state with a debt burden of ₦410 billion for the incoming administration led by Senator Monday Okpebholo.
The committee made this known on Monday in Benin City, presenting its report to Senator Okpebholo. Committee Chairman and former Deputy Governor, Pius Odubu, revealed that the figure was provided by the outgoing government’s own transition committee.
Odubu recommended that the incoming government thoroughly audit both local and foreign debts, which he said significantly exceed the ₦55 billion debt inherited by the Obaseki administration.
He suggested that, upon further verification, the actual debt might surpass ₦500 billion.
The committee advised a full review of contractual agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) related to the management of the Central and Stella Obasanjo Hospitals, and recommended the cancellation of recent appointments made by the outgoing government.
“We deserve transparency regarding the state’s equity in certain companies, as previous inquiries received no response,” Odubu stated.
“We also recommend a comprehensive review of the World Bank-funded EdoBest programme and an investigation into its operations, which have lacked transparency.”
He added that major contracts awarded by the Ministry of Roads and Bridges should undergo scrutiny, citing concerns over irregularities in processes and advanced payments made to contractors.
The committee further noted that the state’s procurement agency had raised concerns regarding the outgoing administration’s activities in its report to the transition committee, which the governor-elect should carefully examine.
Lastly, Odubu suggested streamlining the state’s ICT ecosystem due to apparent role duplications and called for an inquiry into the outgoing government’s failure to provide audited financial statements.
