Kehinde Fajobi
The Edo State Assets Verification Committee has alleged that the previous administration led by Governor Godwin Obaseki inflated the cost of a 17.5-kilometre road project from ₦8 billion to ₦16 billion within one year.
Speaking during an inspection of the Benin-Abraka road, Engineer Abass Braimah, a member of the committee’s subcommittee on Physical Assets and Infrastructure, stated that the project cost was reviewed upward three times despite no changes to the job specifications.
“I don’t think there is anywhere in Nigeria, or even outside, where a project is awarded for ₦8 billion, reviewed to ₦12 billion, and further reviewed to ₦16 billion within a year,” Braimah said.
He questioned the rationale behind the 100% increase, noting, “Against the backdrop of several other companies that bidded for the job, they gave this contract at ₦8 billion.
“Then, 50% of that amount, which is ₦4 billion, was added to reach ₦12 billion, and it was later increased again to ₦16 billion in June this year.”
The project, awarded to Nsik Engineering Company Limited in May 2023, officially began in September 2023.
The company’s project manager, Engineer Ifiokebong Ekong, confirmed that ₦2.9 billion, representing 25% of the initial contract sum, was released for mobilisation.
Ekong explained that the initial completion timeline of three and a half years was revised to 18 months.
He added, “The contract sum was initially ₦8 billion when awarded in September 2023. It was reviewed upward to ₦12 billion in 2024 and later to ₦16.4 billion in June 2024.”
Subcommittee chairman, Honourable Patrick Obahiagbon, said Ekong’s revelations aligned with a citizen petition alleging contract inflation.
Obahiagbon accused the previous government of inflating the costs to fund the September 2024 governorship election.
“It makes no sense that within one year, a road contract sum would be varied from ₦8 billion to ₦12 billion, and in June, just months before the election, it was varied again from ₦12 billion to ₦16 billion, possibly for election purposes,” Obahiagbon said.
He stated that the committee would recommend further investigation into the allegations and the project manager’s statements.
Other roads inspected by the committee included Owina/Evbuotubu, Erunmwunse and Ope Road, First Ugbor, adjoining roads in Upper Sakponba, and 14 inner roads off Airport Road.