Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has said the Assets Verification Committee he set up to verify and confirm the location of public assets in the state is not intended to witch-hunt anybody.
He said it was rather set up as part of the efforts to strengthen the fight against corruption, which he said is part of his mandate.
The governor stated these on Tuesday, at the inauguration of the 16-member committee, led by Dr Ernest Afolabi-Umakhihe, with a charge to confirm the existence, conditions, locations and ownership of all state assets.
As contained in a press release by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, the inauguration took place at the Exco Chamber, Government House, Benin City.
Governor Okpebholo 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.”
Speaking after the inauguration, the committee chairman, Ernest Afolabi-Umakhihe, said his committee is on a fact-finding mission to unravel the state of affairs as inherited by the current administration on 12 November, 2024.
He disclosed that the transition committee report highlighted some gaps which will 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.
Afolabi-Umakhihe added that the mandate of the committee is to know the level of projects and to develop a pathway for the development agenda of the government.
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, shutdown of the e-governance platform, among others.
He noted that the committee would interrogate some grey areas in the last administration as a lot of persons will be invited to face it in line with its terms of reference.
Dr Patrick Obahiagbon, on his part, said 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, it was stated in the release.
