Edo: Gov Okpebholo Constitutes Committee To Probe Assets Of Government

By Ayodele Oni

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, is expected to inaugurate a 14 member Assets Verification Committee in Benin on Tuesday.

Okpebholo had approved the constitution of the Committee to probe the administration of Godwin Obaseki.

The state government had complained at its inception that not less 200 vehicles belonging to government were carted away by members of the immediate past administration.

It also noted that the hand over note by the firmer Godwin Obaseki led administration has been silent on the actual state of some government assets and properties.

Members of the Committee headed by Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe are selected from former political office holders including technocrats in the state.

A statement at the weekend by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Fred Itua stated that “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 1pm prompt.”