Edo treasury suffer as Obaseki, allies continues reckless spending of state resources, neglecting governance

In the midst of a global Pandemic, with its attendant economic hardship baring fangs on even the most sophisticated economies of the World, the Obaseki led government is still involved in financial recklessness, albeit, even in the very institution saddled with the generation of revenue for the State’s development.

While the World Bank is putting pressure on, and indeed, nations around the world are seeking exploring ways to alleviate the COVID 19 induced hardship on its citizens and businesses, ChrisOsaMedia can report that the Edo State Internal Revenue Service just took delivery of 5 brand new SUVs for its political appointees (The Chairman and the Executive Directors) and the new Secretary to the Revenue Service.

Recall that there was a recent publication exposing huge corruption and exploitation of taxpayers and victimisation of staff by the hurriedly put together team by the governor to manage the affairs of the Revenue Board. While the purchase of official vehicles in itself is not out of place in an autonomous government, agency like the Board, it is however mind blowing that one, the amount of money involved in purchased of the vehicles; two, the timing; three, rational behind the purchase of such high end vehicles at the tail end of GO’s administration.

First of all, a whooping sum of almost 300 million was sought as a loan, approved by the governor for the purchase of these luxurious SUVs as official cars for these corrupt pentad when the Revenue Board itself lacks operational vehicles. A visit to the head office at New Benin will leave anyone in shock with the dilapidated state you’ll find some very old vehicles use for operations.

Secondly, in this period when government globally are sourcing funds to provide basic needs as food for its citizens, incentive for businesses to survive etc, such an act of financial recklessness is carried out by a State Revenue Service with the help of the State governor. In their usual arrogance also, the Executive Directors are said to have boasted that this is part of their severance package as if they already know their days are numbered.

The rational for going for such luxury SUVs as against the customary salon cars is that they’ll take the vehicles with them as they vacate office after the administration. recall that they have just been engaged hurriedly last year to replace those removed as perceived political enemies to the governor.

The government recklessness and mismanagement is such that, when these set of people leave office in a few months time with these vehicles, the new management will be left with the burden of not just buying new cars, but paying off a debt of almost 300 million Naira plus accrued interest with taxpayers money

…In a nutshell, unlike the Revenue Board under Comrade Oshiomhole who transformed the Revenue Service to make it envy of other States in infrastructure and operational vehicles before buying modest Toyota Camry as official cars for it Executive Directors, these lots having destroyed what they met on ground in the same manner the governor treats the State, without adding any value, they have decided to plunge the service and the government into more debts by purchasing exorbitant luxury vehicles for themselves as takeaway gifts.

These are funds that could have been judiciously spent to improve the lives of the people considering the poor state of roads and numerous dilapidated schools in the state, it is obvious that the Governor’s intention is to spend the resources of the state recklessly and induce as many people as possible into supporting his return bid ambition.

Below are pictures of the vehicles: