By Nosakhare Agbonigiarhuoyi
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has issued a stern warning to public office holders in the State civil and public services against appropriating public resources for personal gains among other corrupt practices.
The governor gave this warning on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, during a one-day workshop on public procurement organized by the Edo State Public Procurement Agency, held at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA), with the theme: “Procurement: Complying with the law; eliminating delays.”
In his remarks, Mr. Obaseki charged public officeholders to adhere to the State’s public procurement law and take the public procurement process seriously.
“You are public officers who have been vested with public trust. Do not breach the trust.
“When you do not adhere to procurement principles and practices, you are breaching that trust”, he said.
Addressing the attendee, Mr Obaseki also lauded the State’s public procurement process, highlighting gains made in value retention in the areas of capital and recurrent spending, and quality of work done.
Consequently, the governor advised public officers to intimate themselves with the State’s public procurement law in order not to be victims of the consequences of breaching them, announcing that some public office holders are currently being investigated, and will be prosecuted.
He noted: “Going forward, there will be consequences; and unfortunately, the bad news is that, there will be prosecution.
“It’s not just about administrative actions now. There will be legal consequences because you are in a breach of law.”
Public office holders in attendance include the State Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa Esq.; Managing Director, Edo State Public Procurement Agency, Mr. Henry Idogun; Permanent Secretaries; amongst others.
