Obaseki issues Stern Warning to Public Officers against Corrupt Practices

The governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has sent a strong warning to those holding public office in the state’s civil and public services regarding the use of public funds for private benefit in addition to other corrupt activities.

During a one-day workshop on public procurement organized by the Edo State Public Procurement Agency and held at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) with the theme “Procurement: Complying with the law; eliminating delays,” the governor issued this warning on Tuesday, February 14, 2023.

Obaseki urged public officeholders to respect the State’s public procurement law and to treat the public procurement procedure with gravity in his remarks.

“You hold a position of public trust as public officers. Never betray the confidence.

“You are betraying that trust when you disregard procurement principles and practices,” he stated.

Speaking to the audience, Mr. Obaseki also praised the State’s public procurement procedure, emphasizing improvements in value retention for both capital and ongoing spending as well as the caliber of the work produced.

The governor announced that some public office holders are currently under investigation and will face prosecution as a result, and he advised public officers to familiarize themselves with the State’s public procurement law in order to avoid suffering the consequences of breaking it.

“There will be consequences going forward, and the bad news is that there will be prosecution,” he stated.

“Now, it goes beyond merely taking administrative action. Given that you have broken the law, there will be legal repercussions.

A number of public officials were present, including Permanent Secretaries, Mr. Henry Idogun, Managing Director of the Edo State Public Procurement Agency, and State Head of Service Anthony Okungbowa Esq.