A bombshell has been dropped in Edo State, as the State Assets Verification Committee, set up by Governor Monday Okpebholo, has accused the previous administration of inflating a road project contract from N8 billion to N16 billion.
The committee’s findings, which were made public on Thursday, have sparked a heated debate, with the former governor’s camp firing back at the allegations.
According to the committee, the contract sum for the 17.5-kilometer road project was inflated thrice within a year, with the initial cost of N8 billion being reviewed upward to N12 billion in 2024, and later to N16.4 billion in June 2024.
The project manager of the construction firm, Ifiok Kong, confirmed the inflation, stating that the company was mobilized with N2.9 billion, representing 25 percent of the initial contract sum of N8 billion.
Crusoe Osagie, Media Adviser to former Governor Godwin Obaseki, has reacted to the allegations, accusing Governor Okpebholo of lacking capacity and unpreparedness for office. “As we have repeatedly pointed out, Okpebholo’s real challenge lies in his lack of capacity and unpreparedness for office,” Osagie said.
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“We urge the Edo State governor to settle down, build capacity, and focus on working for the people of Edo State during the short time he will spend at Dennis Osadebey Avenue, rather than resorting to unintelligent lies to score cheap political points.”
The committee’s findings have been met with skepticism by some, who argue that the allegations are politically motivated. However, Engr. Abass Braimah, a member of the subcommittee, has expressed outrage at the alleged inflation, stating that the increment was 100 percent.
“I don’t think there is anywhere in Nigeria or outside of this subnational that a project can be awarded for N8 billion, reviewed to N12 billion, and further reviewed to N16 billion,” Braimah said.
The controversy surrounding the road project has raised questions about the transparency and accountability of the previous administration.
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