The Edo State Government has spent a staggering ₦1.1 billion on furniture and ₦203 million on refreshments in the first quarter of 2024, while neglecting critical ministries and agencies.
A review of the Edo State budget performance documents by SaharaReporters has revealed that the state government spent ₦1.1 billion on furniture in the first three months of 2024, despite budgeting ₦2.2 billion for the entire year.
This extravagant expenditure is further compounded by the ₦203 million spent on refreshments and meals during the same period, with a total of ₦739 million earmarked for the whole year.
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The state’s spending priorities have raised eyebrows, particularly given the neglect of key ministries and agencies.
The Ministry of Water Resources, which was allocated ₦1.030 billion, has not received any funding, while the Ministry of Environment and Sustainability received a paltry ₦5 million.
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Moreover, the state’s Erosion, Flood, and Watershed Management Agency received no funding whatsoever in the first quarter.
The rationale behind the state government’s decision to spend such a large sum on furniture remains unclear. Efforts to reach the Senior Special Adviser on Media to Governor Obaseki, Crusoe Osagie, were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or messages.
