Okpebholo sets up panel to probe Obaseki’s administration
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the formation of 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, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday. The committee will be inaugurated on Tuesday, 26 November 2024, at the Government House in Benin City, Edo State capital.
The newly constituted committee, which is to be chaired by Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, is part of Governor Okpebholo’s efforts to enhance transparency, accountability, and good governance in Edo State. The statement further explained that the establishment of the State Assets Verification Committee became necessary as a result of limited information provided by the former Obaseki-led administration regarding its assets and liabilities.
“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,” the statement read.
Despite repeated calls for a comprehensive database detailing the assets and liabilities of the previous government, the Obaseki administration provided only scanty and limited information, according to the governor’s office. The new committee will work towards verifying the state’s assets and ensuring that the findings are made accessible to the public.
Anslem Ojezua will serve as the deputy chairman of the committee, while Frank Edebor will act as the secretary. Other members include Kassim Afegbua, Patrick Ikhariale, Taiwo Akerele, Patrick Idiake, Rasaq Bello-Osagie, Fredrick Unopah, Abdallah Eugenia, Patrick Obahiagbon, Kenny Okojie, Lyndsey Tes-Sorae, and Abass Braimoh.
Governor Okpebholo, during his inaugural speech on November 12, had pledged that his administration would probe the exclusion of 14 lawmakers from the State House of Assembly in 2019. Additionally, on Friday, the governor ordered an investigation into the state civil service recruitment process carried out under Obaseki between May and November 2024.
Read also: Edo governor freezes state bank accounts, changes ministry’s name
The creation of the State Assets Verification Committee is expected to further solidify Okpebholo’s commitment to bringing about change, with an emphasis on probity, transparency, and the proper management of public resources.
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