Ossiomo power, Raddisson, MOWAA missing in Obaseki's handover note

The incoming government of Senator Monday Okpebholo and the outgoing government of Godwin Obaseki, appear set for showdown, following the non-disclosure of the ownership of Ossiomo power plant, Raddisson Blu Hotel and Museum of West Africa Arts (MOWAA) in the Report of the Transition Committee presented to Senator Okpebholo.

In its recommendation, the Chairman of the Committee and former Governor of the State,
Dr. Pius Odubu, advice Okpebholo to carryout a review of the ownership structure of the multi-billion projects, which were not listed as Edo State government assets when he assumes duty.

The Committee Report, which was presented to Senator Okpebholo on Monday, alleged that the Government went blank on inquiry about the assets while the Committee meetings with the Government.

“We (Edo people) deserve to know the state’s equity in these companies as the outgoing government went blank on these enquiries”.

The Report particularly recommended a complete review of all MOUs on the management of the Central and Stella Obasanjo Hospitals.

The Report said, “We recommended that the local and foreign debts must be accounted for in addition to all employments carried out in recent past should be canceled”,

According to the Report,
demanded a comprehensive review of the World Bank funded EdoBest programme and a probe should be instituted to uncover its rather opaque operations.

The Report further recommended that: “All major contracts issued by the State government under Ministry of Roads and Bridges should be reviewed as they appear not to have followed due process including the payment advance awarded to the contractors.

“The Edo State procurement agency indicted the government in its own report to the Transition Committee hence we have advised the Governor to take a critical review.

“The Information Communication Technology (ICT) ecosystem should be streamlined as there appears to be duplication of duties.

“The outgoing government didn’t provide audited financial statements published or unpublished hence the Committee is advising the government to institute an enquiry into this.

“The government couldn’t account for the number of teachers in the state hence we demand a proper teacher head count”, according to the Report.

TheNewspad recalls that Governor Godwin Obaseki saying that he is prepared for probe if he is invited by EFCC, which he claimed has concluded plans to arrest him this week.