The Edo Urban Water Corporation is in a state of unsettling quiet after a petition accused its management of being involved in a contract scam of N1.361 billion.
A staff member named Mr. Christopher Abhulimen wrote the petition, which was sent to Governor Monday Okpebholo on February 6. It claimed that ill-executed and fraudulent contracts had been used to embezzle public monies.
The N700 million pipeline network for Ugboha and Uromi, the N23 million Abico pumping station, and the N120 million potable water project at Emotan Garden Estate were among the eight dubious projects Abhulimen mentioned.
Additional projects include N160 million for the administration of the Ugboha Dam, N150 million for pipe supply, N15 million for chemical supply, N43 million from the purportedly unlawful sale of ductile pipes, and N150 million for the reactivation of water systems in Etsako and Akoko-Edo.
The petitioner asked the governor to look into the projects in detail and Mrs. Adeboyega’s involvement in the purported financial misconduct. The management responded to the accusations by denying any misconduct and claiming that Robinson Akhenoba had written a reply on the subject.
The governor should rely on confirmed facts instead of “manipulative tactics and misinformation,” Akhenoba wrote in the rebuttal she forwarded, dismissing the charges as false.
“Prioritising facts over baseless claims will ensure justice,” Akhenoba stated.
News Agency of Nigeria reports that the controversy has heightened tensions within the corporation as stakeholders await the government’s response to the allegations.
