Folarin Kehinde

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has approved the formation of a 14-member State Assets Verification Committee to investigate the administration of his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki.

This decision comes despite a previous plea from the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje to refrain from probing the previous administration.

According to a statement released by the Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor, Fred Itua, the committee’s primary task is to verify the state’s assets and liabilities under the previous administration.

The committee, which is scheduled to be inaugurated on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at the Government House in Benin City, comprises respected sons and daughters from Edo State.

The members of the committee include Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe as Chairman, Anslem Ojezua as Deputy Chairman, and Prince Kassim Afegbua, Hon. Patrick Ikhariale, Mr. Taiwo Akerele, Hon. Patrick Idiake, and Hon. Rasaq Bello-Osagie as members. Other members are Mr. Fredrick Unopah, Frank Osumuede Edebor Esq who will serve as Secretary, Mrs. Abdallah Eugenia, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon, Pharm. Kenny Okojie, Mrs. Lyndsey Tes-Sorae, and Hon. Abass Braimoh.

The statement from the governor’s office added, “In furtherance of the Governor’s initiative to set the State on the path of development and accountable leadership, the need to set up a State Assets Verification Committee becomes very imperative.

“Despite repeated calls for a more holistic database of the Assets and Liabilities of the previous administration, the Godwin Obaseki-led Government came up with very scanty and limited Assets and Liabilities of the State.

“In line with the Governor’s campaign promise to ensure probity, accountability and transparency in Government, and to deepen the governance process, a Committee made up of respected sons and daughters from Edo State has to be constituted.

“The committee will be inaugurated at the Festival Hall, Government House, Benin City, on Tuesday, 26th November, 2024, by 1 pm prompt.”

The committee set up by the Edo government to recover government assets says over 200 vehicles belonging to the state are missing.

The chairman of the committee Kelly Okungbowa shared the information with journalists in Benin City, the Edo State capital on Friday.

He said three of these vehicles have been recovered less than a day after the group was inaugurated.

Okungbowa assured the Edo people that the committee was determined to recover the missing government vehicles.

According to him, bags of rice and garri meant to be palliatives from the Federal Government for the people of the state were discovered in one of the three vehicles recovered.

Governor Monday Okpebholo had set up the committee on Thursday to recover all government vehicles said to be in private custody.

A lot of vehicles used by the past administration are missing as those in the custody of the vehicles have refused to return them. The governor deemed it fit to inaugurate us today with a mandate to recover all government vehicles in private hands,” Okungbowa said during the inauguration of the committee.

“I am the chairman while my vice is the former speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly EDHA, Rt. Hon. Victor Edoror. We have our members across the three Senatorial Districts in Edo State and we are ready to do the job, abiding by the law.

“We want to appeal to members of the public who might be aware of anyone still keeping government vehicles in their houses to please inform us to enable the committee to recover such for the Edo State Government.

“We have two weeks to carry out this task and as I speak to you, we already have some vital information regarding some persons who are still holding government vehicles. We will do the job according to the law and the State government and the people will be happy. You can reach us on 08110165121”