Politics

Edo Governor Obaseki’s Expenditure Revealed: N973 Million on ‘Bank Charges,’ Over N670 Million on Meals, N22.9 Billion for Office Operations, Amid Akpakomiza’s Claims of 7 Billion Diesel Expenditure

Published

3 years ago

November 27, 2023

Ireporteronline

Edo Governor Obaseki’s Expenditure Revealed: N973 Million on ‘Bank Charges,’ Over N670 Million on Meals, N22.9 Billion for Office Operations, Amid Akpakomiza’s Claims of 7 Billion Diesel Expenditure

Written By Oshiobugie Omo-Ikirodah

The Government of Edo State, led by Governor Godwin Obaseki, has disclosed its expenditure details for the period between January and June 2023. According to the state’s 2nd Quarter 2023 budget performance report, the administration spent N973,475,295.69 on “bank charges” during this timeframe. CONTINUE READING

The report also revealed that N296,390,714.00 was allocated to publicity and advertisements over the same period. Additionally, substantial amounts were expended on various other categories, including meals and refreshments (N425,768,967.40), cooking gas (N254,577,158.27), and welfare (N212,899,175).

Specifically, the government recorded N375 million in bank charges for the second quarter (April – June) and a total expenditure of N973.4 million from January to June. Postages and courier services amounted to N306,173,051.33 over the six months, while donations and gifts incurred a cost of over N330 million.

The 2023 budget for Edo State, titled “Budget of Resilience and Transformation,” outlined a capital expenditure estimate of N192 billion and a recurrent expenditure of N127.5 billion. CONTINUE READING

Recent developments also include a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by a civil society group, Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative (EUYI). The petition alleges the diversion of a World Bank loan and other funds intended for enhancing the education system in the state. The group accused Governor Obaseki, Edo State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Joan Oviawe, and the Chairperson of Edo State Universal Basic Education Board, Mrs. Ozavize Salam, of misappropriating $75 million World Bank loan and another N129.12 billion designated for the education sector. The petition expressed concern about the state of public education in Edo despite significant budget allocations in the past seven years.