FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Edo State chapter has called on Governor Monday Okpebholo to make public, the procurement procedure for the newly flagged off ‘emergency’ overhead bridge at Ramat Park, Benin City.
It added that spending money without appropriation was an impeachable offence.
State Publicity Secretary of the PDP Caretaker Committee, Chris Nehikhare, in a statement, said the people deserve transparency and clarity on the cost of the project and timeline, how the contractors were selected and whether the process complied with the state’s Public Procurement Act, among other details.
According to Nehikhare, “We demand that he makes public, the procurement procedure for this project, stating the cost and timeline, how the contractors were selected and whether the process complied with the State’s Public Procurement Act, among other details.
“Recent activities and actions of the Okpebholo-led government in the past few days of assuming office have confirmed our worst fears that the governor is going to run a profligate government, with blatant disregard for due process and fiscal irresponsibility. It is an ominous start and signals what Edo people should expect in the coming days.
“It is concerning and quite troubling that the governor is kicking off his administration with white elephant projects to funnel resources into settling and rewarding political godfathers and allies for their role in subverting the people’s mandate at the September 21 governorship polls.”
He added that the governor must be transparent in handling the state’s finances and not mortgage the future of the state and its people to please and satisfy the appetite of godfathers.
