By Ken Chiwendu
The Governor of Edo State,Senator Monday Okpebholo, has set up a 14-member State Assets Verification Committee to investigate the administration of his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, made this known in a statement on Sunday.
Itua said the committee, which has Dr Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe,will be inaugurated on Tuesday, 26 November 2024, at Government House in Benin City.
Also to serve in the committee are Anslem Ojezua as Deputy Chairman,Frank Edebor as Secretary.
Other members include Kassim Afegbua, Patrick Ikhariale, Taiwo Akerele, Patrick Idiake, and Rasaq Bello-Osagie. Additional members are Fredrick Unopah, Abdallah Eugenia, Patrick Obahiagbon, Kenny Okojie, Lyndsey Tes-Sorae, and Abass Braimoh.
The statement read,
“In furtherance of the governor’s initiative to set the state on the path of development and accountable leadership, the establishment of a State Assets Verification Committee has become imperative,”
“Despite repeated calls for a comprehensive database of the assets and liabilities of the previous administration, the Godwin Obaseki-led government provided only scanty and limited information.
“In line with the governor’s campaign promise to ensure probity, accountability, and transparency in governance, a committee comprising respected sons and daughters of Edo State has been constituted.”
Recall that the ruling All Progressives Congress APC administration of Okpebholo succeeded the Peoples Democratic Party PDP administration of Obaseki and there was no love lost between the two men.
On assumption of office on November 12, Okpebholo promised to investigate the exclusion of 14 lawmakers from the State House of Assembly in 2019.
The governor also approved the suspension of Market Leaders and, instituted a probe on fraudulent recruitment in the civil service under Obaseki. He also said several vehicles belonging to the state government were still in the hands of past government officials.
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