The Edo State Assets verification Committee set up by Governor Monday Okpebholo Tuesday expressed concern over what it described as exorbitant, the 4.5 billion cost of 14 inner roads around Adesuwa, off Airport Road, Benin City.
This was just as the committee bemoaned the advanced payment of N5 billion to a contractor handling the reconstruction of Owina/Evbuotubu, Erunmwunse and Ope roads, “despite the contractor having done 15 percent of the N19 billion quoted contract.”
The committee noted: “It is our opinion that this 14 inner roads off Airport road should not have cost Edo state government N4.5 billion because they they are existing roads with no provision for drainages and street lights.”
The chairman of a Sub-Committee on Physical Assets and Infrastructure, Barrister Patrick Obahiagbon, stated this during the inspection of ongoing road projects awarded by the immediate past administration of the state.
Obahiagbon who was accompanied by Prince Kassim Afegbua and other members of the committee said the exercise was geared towards finding out if contractors were working according to their contractual terms and obligation.
