An analysis by SaharaReporters regarding the 2026 approved budget for Edo State has highlighted several significant expenditures, including the allocation of “N1billion has been allocated to purchase an armoured vehicle for the Speaker of the State House of Assembly.”
N1billion On Armoured Car For Speaker, N4.6billion On Vehicles For Lawmakers, Substandard School Construction, Procurement Manipulation, Inflated Contracts
The budgetary breakdown further details that “N4.6 billion is planned for vehicles for the 25 members of the State House of Assembly.”
While large sums are dedicated to transit, the legislature has designated “N250million for the construction of a new legislative building, while the renovation of the Speaker’s guest house is budgeted at N60million.”
Additional spending includes “N170million has been set aside to purchase one Toyota Camry (2016 model) and seven Toyota Corolla (2016 models) for the Commission’s Chairman, members, and secretary of the House of Assembly Commission.”
Furthermore, “N50million is planned for the purchase of refrigerators and other equipment for four directors,” while the Commission also intends to spend “200 million naira on roof and window replacement for its office building.”
Parallel to these budget revelations, the civic accountability group MonITng has flagged issues with a multi-million-naira educational initiative.
Specifically, they noted that “A project titled ‘Building of Blocks of Classrooms at Ojah Comprehensive High School, Akoko LGA, Edo State’ with project code ZIP20240448, valued at ₦222,000,000.00, and awarded under the Federal Polytechnic Auchi, Federal Ministry of Education, has raised serious concerns about the quality of execution, contract pricing, and procurement integrity.”
Upon physical inspection, MonITng reported that “Our team tracked and visited the project site and confirmed that although the classrooms were completed, they were poorly constructed.”
The group elaborated that “The structure lacks basic finishing elements such as landscaping, proper drainage, and standard finishing works, all of which should have been included and adequately executed, given the huge sum budgeted for the project.”
They maintained that “the poor quality of work raises questions about project supervision, contract oversight, and how the allocated funds were spent.”
MonITng has also pointed to a recurring relationship with a specific contractor, stating, “Even more troubling is the pattern we uncovered. The project was executed by Sam Sedi Nig. LTD, a company that has consistently received major contracts facilitated by Senator Adams Oshiomhole.”
The group connected this firm to other problematic ventures, claiming “this same contractor handled the abandoned ERGP20245252 project, Construction of Warake to Ivbiaro Road in Owan East LGA, valued at ₦200,000,000.00, which remains incomplete despite significant disbursements.“
Additionally, they noted that “the same company implemented a controversial agricultural empowerment programme in Etsako communities, also facilitated by Senator Oshiomhole.”
Concluding their assessment, MonITng alleged that “the recurring involvement of this contractor in multiple projects, combined with substandard delivery and abandoned works, suggests a pattern of procurement manipulation, inflated contracts, and possible diversion of public resources.”
They argued that “the situation reflects how public projects, although completed on paper, often fail to deliver a meaningful impact due to corruption, poor supervision, and a lack of accountability.”
Join Informant Online WhatsApp Channel With Link Below: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaihFajBadmT29ufud2
DON’T MISS
Presidential Election Gets New Date As INEC Releases Revised 2027 Elections Timetable
