The Edo State government has accused the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki of inflating the cost of a road project from ₦8 billion to a staggering ₦16 billion, sparking a heated exchange between the current and previous administrations.
This controversy centers around a 17.5-kilometer road project whose contract sum was allegedly increased three times within a year.
The accusation was made by the Edo State Assets Verification Committee, a body established by Governor Monday Okpebholo to scrutinize contracts awarded by the former administration.
Inflation Claims Stir Outrage
According to the committee, the contract initially valued at ₦8 billion in September 2023 was revised to ₦12 billion in early 2024 and then further increased to ₦16.4 billion by June 2024.
Engr. Abass Braimah, a member of the subcommittee investigating the matter, condemned the alleged increment, describing it as unprecedented.
“I don’t think there’s anywhere in Nigeria or beyond where a project can be inflated by 100 percent in such a short time,” Braimah said.
He questioned the justification for the increase, pointing out that the job specifications and content of the project had remained unchanged.
“What has substantially changed to warrant a 100 percent increment from ₦8 billion to ₦16 billion?” he asked.
“Why not just take the entire purse of Edo State? These are games, and they are unacceptable.”
Project Manager Confirms Payments
The project manager, Ifiok Kong, who spoke to the committee, confirmed that the construction company had been mobilized with ₦2.9 billion, representing 25 percent of the original contract sum of ₦8 billion.
Kong admitted that the project cost was reviewed twice after the initial award, but insisted that the completion timeline was reduced from three and a half years to 18 months.
He did not, however, provide substantial reasons for the drastic cost variations.
The committee also disclosed that the review occurred despite no significant change to the project’s specifications.
Former Governor Fires Back
The accusations have sparked a fierce rebuttal from Crusoe Osagie, Media Adviser to former Governor Obaseki.
Osagie dismissed the allegations as baseless, claiming they were politically motivated attacks designed to distract from the current administration’s lack of performance.
“As we have repeatedly pointed out, Okpebholo’s real challenge lies in his lack of capacity and unpreparedness for office,” Osagie said.
He advised Governor Okpebholo to focus on governing and delivering results for Edo people rather than resorting to “unintelligent lies” to score cheap political points.
Petitions and Investigations
Chairman of the subcommittee, Patrick Obahiagbon, revealed that the investigation was prompted by a petition received by the committee regarding the alleged inflation.
Obahiagbon stated that the project manager’s explanations only confirmed the allegations outlined in the petition.
“The numbers don’t lie,” Obahiagbon remarked.
“This inflation of costs cannot be swept under the rug. Edo people deserve to know what happened to their money.”
Edo’s Economic Burden
The alleged inflation of the contract has raised concerns about the financial health of Edo State, particularly as funds allocated to infrastructure development are now under scrutiny.
Critics argue that such incidents of alleged mismanagement weaken public trust and hinder development efforts.
“What we are seeing here is a gross betrayal of the people’s trust,” said a concerned Edo resident.
The road project, which is critical for connecting communities and boosting economic activities, now stands as a symbol of the challenges facing governance in Edo State.
Governor Okpebholo’s Next Steps
Governor Okpebholo has vowed to hold those responsible for the alleged inflation accountable.
His administration has promised to prioritize transparency and ensure that public funds are spent judiciously.
“We will not allow corruption to derail the progress of Edo State,” a spokesperson for the governor declared.
The Assets Verification Committee is expected to submit its final report in the coming weeks, and Nigerians are keenly watching to see if this controversy will lead to significant reforms or further deepen political divisions in the state.
