The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has permitted the formation of a 14-member State Property Verification Committee to analyze the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The committee, which will probably be inaugurated on Tuesday, 26 November 2024, at Authorities Home in Benin Metropolis, will probably be chaired by Dr Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe. Anslem Ojezua will function deputy chairman, whereas Frank Edebor will act as secretary.
Different members of the committee embody Kassim Afegbua, Patrick Ikhariale, Taiwo Akerele, Patrick Idiake, and Rasaq Bello-Osagie. Extra members are Fredrick Unopah, Abdallah Eugenia, Patrick Obahiagbon, Kenny Okojie, Lyndsey Tes-Sorae, and Abass Braimoh.
In an announcement issued on Sunday, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, defined the aim of the committee.
He mentioned, “In furtherance of the governor’s initiative to set the state on the trail of growth and accountable management, the institution of a State Property Verification Committee has grow to be crucial.
“Regardless of repeated requires a complete database of the belongings and liabilities of the earlier administration, the Godwin Obaseki-led authorities offered solely scanty and restricted data.
“In step with the governor’s marketing campaign promise to make sure probity, accountability, and transparency in governance, a committee comprising revered little children of Edo State has been constituted.”
The assertion additional famous that the committee could be inaugurated on the Pageant Corridor, Authorities Home, Benin Metropolis, on Tuesday, 26 November 2024, at 1:00 pm immediate.
Background on the probe
A PUNCH report on 20 November indicated that the Edo State authorities would possibly launch a probe into the earlier administration after receiving experiences from the everlasting secretaries of assorted ministries within the state.
A authorities official, who spoke on situation of anonymity, acknowledged that the governor was nonetheless being briefed by the everlasting secretaries to evaluate the efficiency of the Obaseki-led administration.
The official mentioned, “The governor is reviewing experiences from the everlasting secretaries of assorted ministries to judge the rapid previous authorities. These findings will decide whether or not to provoke a probe and, in that case, the scope of the investigation.
“Nevertheless, beneath this administration, the folks and their pursuits will all the time come first,” the official added.
