Edo Assembly to investigate Obaseki’s hotel, museum project

The Edo State House of Assembly has received a letter from the Executive, directing it to probe two ongoing projects initiated by the administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki.

The projects are the Radisson Hotel and the Museum of West African Art, both situated at the Government Reservation Area and Sapele Road, respectively.

Signed by Umar Ikhilor, Secretary to the State Government, the letter was read on the floor of the House by Audu Omogbai, the Clerk.

Following the reading, Blessing Agbebaku, Speaker of the House, announced that an ad hoc committee would be constituted at the next sitting to conduct a detailed investigation into the projects.

He said, “We have received a letter from the state government concerning the request to probe MOWAA and Radisson Blu Hotel.

“An ad hoc committee would be constituted at the next sitting to conduct a detailed investigation into the projects.”

Recall that the government of Obaseki awarded both projects and has come under scrutiny by the present administration over the alleged inflated sum for the contract and the state’s stake in both establishments.

While the immediate past government had fully paid for the contract fees for the Radisson Hotel, the present government is at a loss to the state’s stake in the projects.

However, the land allocated to MOWAA has become contentious as part of Edo Central Hospital was demolished for the project.

Also, the Assembly received another letter signed by the SSG, requesting the screening and confirmation of nominees for appointment into the Edo State Judicial Service Commission.

The Speaker referred the request to the House Committee on Judiciary with instructions to report back promptly.

Meanwhile, the House passed for second reading a bill seeking to repeal the Edo State Private Health Facility (Prohibition) Law of 1984 and to establish the Edo Healthcare Regulation and Monitoring Agency to regulate healthcare facilities across the state.