has raised the alarm over the alleged plan by the outgoing government of Governor Godwin Obaseki for a supplementary budget barely two weeks to the end of the administration.
Newspot reports that Prince Kassim Afegbua, a member of the APC transition committee raised the alarm on Tuesday in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin City.
Afegbua opined that with the development, the outgoing government was leaving an empty treasure for the incoming government to work.
He, however, added that the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, turned down the request of the Governor.
He said the State House of Assembly had shortly before the gubernatorial election of September 21, 2024, given express approval to a N450 billion supplementary request of the Governor despite criticisms of members of the public.
He alleged that in total, Governor Obaseki has spent a total of N1.5 trillion in his 8 years as Governor with no improvements or developments of roads.
“Despite plundering N1.5 trillion in the past 7 years with no visible, legacy infrastructures on ground across Edo state, Governor Obaseki has again requested a supplementary budget with two weeks to hand over of power.
“The request for approval of the supplementary budget was submitted to the State House of Assembly on Monday 28th October 2024, stating that he intends to leave money for the incoming Governor; Senator Monday Okpebholo to spend while settling down to work.
“Surprisingly, like the riddle of the sudden turn of events, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Honourable Blessing Agbebaku, has turned down the request of Gov Obaseki even in his trying times.
“Before now, Obaseki had presented three supplementary budgets to the House of Assembly, which were all promptly approved either in the government house at wee hours and mostly without the knowledge of other members.
“While sympathising with the incoming administration of Senator Monday Okpebholo, Edo people are, however, excited that the state has been rescued from a democratic tyrant.
“Edo people are aware that Okpebholo will inherit an empty treasure but they are happy that he will represent a new dawn which was translated as “a new Edo is rising” during the last campaigns across the state.
“Agents of the governor have turned their frustration into a looting spree as they have descended on vehicles, air-conditioners, generators, television sets and many others, which they are looting with careless abandon.
Edo State has been lucky in terms of allocations but unlucky characters at the helm of affairs have stifled growth and development.
“The state received so many billions of naira from the 13% Derivation Funds, but there is nothing to justify such huge resources.
“When his government wants to loot, they tie expenditure on recurrent sub-heads, which they draw to the last whole number.
“We find it worrisome that a Governor-elect who means well for Edo people will be inheriting an empty treasury with huge debts of over N500 billion hanging on our noose. How do you expect the state to grow?.
“Edo State is bleeding profusely as a result of neglect, financial malfeasance, and careless abandon”, he said.
Newspot recalls that Chris Nehikhare, the State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation had in a recent press conference, said, the Obaseki-led government will end on November 12, 2024.
He, however, urged the governor-elect to wait to assume office as governor of the state on November 12, when he would be sworn in before performing his duty as governor.
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