The Edo State Government on Tuesday, said the assets verification committee set up to determine the number, nature and states of the government’s assets left behind by the immediate past administration is not for witch-hunt.
This was just as Governor Monday Okpebholo explained that the Dr Ernest Afolabi-Umakhihe-led committee was not set up to witch-hunt the immediate past administration, stressing that the committee conformed with global practices.
Okpebholo stated this at the inauguration of the committee at the New Exco Chamber, Government House, where its chairman, Dr Ern Afolabi-Umakhihe, reiterated the resolve of the committee to do a thorough job without recourse to intimidation of any official of the past administration that might be invited to appear before the committee to answer questions that would assist the body in discharging its duties.
Afolabi-Umakhihe explained that part of the responsibilities of the committee would be to confirm the existence, conditions, locations and ownership of all State assets.
He added that Governor Okpebholo set up the committee as part of his resolve to strengthen the fight against corruption.
A statement by Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Fred Itua, shortly after the inauguration of the committee, quoted the governor to have said “Prior to my inauguration on the 12th November 2024, I set up the Transition Committee to collate all necessary information for a seamless hand over of Government. That committee, which was headed by Dr. Pius Odubu, had since submitted its report.
“Based on the report, we have found it necessary to set up this committee to establish the true status of our assets as a state.
“This assets verification exercise is therefore a process that will confirm the existence, conditions, locations and ownership of all assets; whether fixed or movable, tangible or intangible.
“We are trusting this 16-member committee to do thorough checks and provide us with an updated record of Edo State assets and property.
“I want to also assure you that this exercise is not intended to witch-hunt anybody but to strengthen the fight against corruption, which is part of my mandate as Governor.
“The assignment we are giving you today is in line with my promise to ensure probity, accountability and transparency in government,” the governor said.
On his part, the chairman of the committee said his committee would be on a fact-finding mission to unravel the state of affairs as inherited by the current administration on 12th November 2024.
He noted that the transition committee report highlighted some gaps which would be filled by his committee in order to ensure accountability, transparency and accuracy.
“We want to have full details of ongoing projects across the state, looking into financial and non-financial aspects of the government to present the facts the way they should be,” he said.
He added that the committee’s mandate “is to know the level of projects and to develop a pathway for the government’s development agenda.
A member of the committee, Kassim Afegbua also dismissed allegations by the Peoples Democratic Party PDP on the alleged invasion of the state PDP secretariat, and shutdown of the e-governance platform among others.
Also speaking, another member of the committee, Patrick Obahiagbon, said that the exercise “is to ensure accountability, detect fraud and ensure financial accountability by the past administration.
The report of the committee is expected to be made public at the end of the assignment.
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