—Calls For Review Of Contracts, MOUs signed by Obaseki
Edo State Assets Verification Committee has submitted its final report to Governor Monday Okpebholo, urging him to review and reevaluate all agreements, memorandum of understanding, leases and tenancy entered into by the administration of Godwin Obaseki.
Dr Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, the chairman of the committee, while presenting the report to the governor, said the committee has identified areas where Government resources have been mismanaged by the Obaseki’s government.
He said the committee also noted that certain agreements have been executed in ways that do not align with the best interest of the state.
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According to him, the committee strongly recommends that the state government take immediate steps to review all ongoing and past contracts, to ensure that they are both fair and advantageous to the people of Edo State.
Umakhihe, who said the committee also unravelled potential fraud, mismanagement and corruption in the governance of the state by the immediate past government, recommended that immediate steps be taken to investigate the findings.
He said the investigation would ensure that culprits are prosecuted where necessary, noting that bringing those responsible and found culpable for wrongdoing to justice will send a clear message that Edo State is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability in governance.
The committee also recommended the probing of some corporate entities, or holdings in the state to ascertain their ownership.
Umakhihe said the corporate entities and holdings to be probed are those that have generated a lot of suspicion due to the perceived level of Edo State Government involvement in their formative years.
The Committee chairman further declared, “This report marks the culmination of weeks of diligent work, careful examination, site visitations, interactions with stakeholders and thorough verification, carried out by the Committee with the utmost commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of the Assets and Liabilities of Edo State Government.
“The committee did not only submit the final report, merely delivering a document, but the findings and recommendations of a meticulous process, aimed at enhancing and protecting the future of our beloved State.
“Our task has not been without challenges, but the Committee was driven by the need to provide Edo State Government with a clear and accurate picture of its financial status as well as the State of its Assets and Liabilities.
As we submit the final report, we are not merely delivering a document, but the findings and recommendations of a meticulous process, directed at enhancing and protecting the future of our beloved State.
“The Report contains a detailed account of Government’s Assets, Contractual Obligations along with a comprehensive analysis of the Liabilities that have been accumulated over time.
“More Importantly, the committee has also identified areas where Government resources have been mismanaged or improperly allocated in addition to the use of Consultants in the supposed management and operations of Government businesses which provided an avenue for abuses, dubious and clandestine activities.
“In these instances, we have recommended a course of actions to rectify the situation and ensure that resources are used more effectively for the benefit of the people of Edo State.
“One of the key aspects of our report is the comprehensive breakdown of the total Liabilities of the Edo State Government.
This report bears the significant financial obligations that have been left behind by the past Administration, some of which may place a heavy burden on the State’s fiscal health.
“These Liabilities, which include outstanding debts, contracts, and financial commitments, require urgent attention and strategic management in order for the state to pull through. We have recommended a review of the contracts in some cases.
“During the course of our work, the committee encountered evidence of serious misconduct and actions that are detrimental to the state’s Assets and Financial Health.
We have identified instances of potential fraud, mismanagement, and corruption. Given the gravity of these findings, we strongly recommend that the relevant authorities take immediate steps to investigate these issues further, with a view to prosecuting the culprits where necessary.
“We believe that bringing those responsible and found culpable for wrongdoing to justice will send a clear message that Edo State is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability in Governance.
“Furthermore, the report highlights the need to review and, where necessary, re-evaluate Government agreements, memorandum of understanding, leases and tenancy. Over time, certain agreements have been executed in ways that do not align with the best interest of the State.
“The committee strongly recommends that the state government take immediate steps to review all ongoing and past contracts, to ensure that they are both fair and advantageous to the people of Edo State.
“In the same vein, the Committee recommends that the Government should further investigate some corporate entities, or holdings in the State to ascertain their ownership, particularly those that have generated a lot of suspicion due to the perceived level of Edo State Government involvement in their formative years.
“Your Excellency, distinguished Members of the Executive Council and Party leaders, the findings in this report are not just a reflection of the past but also a call to action for the future.
This is a turning point for Edo State, a moment where we must take stock of our current position and set a course toward greater accountability, financial prudence, and responsible management of Public Assets.”
