The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on Governor Monday Okpebholo to disclose the procurement details of the recently launched overhead bridge project at Ramat Park in Benin City.
The party alleges that the flyover, branded as an “emergency” project, is a ploy to reward political godfathers who supported the governor during the September 21 governorship election.
In a statement released by Chris Osa Nehikhare, Publicity Secretary of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, the party expressed concerns over the lack of transparency in the project and accused the Okpebholo-led administration of disregarding due process.
“The recent activities and actions of the Monday Okpebholo-led government in the past few days of assuming office have confirmed our worst fears that the governor-select 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,” Nehikhare said.
The PDP further alleged that the project bypassed standard procurement procedures, calling for details on the cost, timeline, contractor selection process, and compliance with the State’s Public Procurement Act.
“One of those projects is the emergency overhead bridge which was flagged off a couple of days ago at the Ramat Park axis of Benin City, which we are aware bypassed all standard procurement procedures. We demand that he makes public the procurement procedure for this project, stating 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 relating to the project,” Nehikhare added.
The party also accused the governor of attempting to divert state resources to settle political debts owed to allies and godfathers.
“We understand that the governor owes some political debts which he incurred procuring the services of the godfathers and their infantry lions and tigers during the last governorship election. But we must warn him that the resources of the people of Edo State must not be frittered away in settling debts of these gluttonous godfathers who he has now re-empowered and are desperately seeking every avenue to hijack the people’s patrimony to suit their over-bloated ego and appetite for state funds,” the statement said.
The PDP also issued a stern warning about the legal implications of fiscal mismanagement, emphasizing that spending public funds without the approval of the State House of Assembly constitutes an impeachable offense.
“As a party, we draw his attention to the fact that monies spent without appropriation of the House of Assembly is an impeachable offence, and the PDP will not hesitate to drag him to the ICPC for violating the public procurement Act,” Nehikhare concluded.
The party called for Governor Okpebholo to prioritize transparency and fiscal responsibility, warning against actions that could compromise the state’s resources and mortgage the future of its people.
