The Edo State House of Assembly has recommended that Governor Monday Okpebholo assume full control of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) and Radisson Blu Hotel, following investigations into ownership controversies surrounding both projects.
The call came from the ad hoc committees on MOWAA and Radisson Hotel, established by the Assembly to examine the projects initiated under the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The committees were tasked with resolving disputes over funding, ownership, and legal title transfers, which had remained unclear.
On Tuesday, the chairmen, Hon. Addeh Isibor (MOWAA) and Hon. Ibhamawu Aigbokhan (Radisson), publicly presented their findings and recommendations.
Isibor revealed that claims by MOWAA’s management of raising N37 billion conflicted sharply with audited financial statements.
He said the committee found that the state government had fully funded the project, and the property remained legally tied to the Central Hospital.
“The Edo State Government should take immediate possession of MOWAA and ensure it serves the public interest,” Isibor stated.
The committee emphasised that the museum’s premises should be put to productive use for the benefit of Edo citizens.
Aigbokhan said the committee determined that the Radisson Blu Hotel had received no financial contribution from the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) or Hospitality Investment and Management Company (HIMC).
The ownership of the hotel had never been legally transferred from the state government.
The committee recommended that Edo State fully reclaim and complete the hotel’s renovation.
It also called for the revocation of a purported Certificate of Occupancy issued to HIMC and recovery of N17.5 billion still held by escrow agents, Meristem Trustees Limited and Emerging Africa Trustees Limited.
“The government should engage competent operators to manage the hotel for the benefit of Edo State and enhance its international profile,” Aigbokhan said, stressing that the move was not aimed at targeting former Governor Obaseki personally.
Both committees noted that Obaseki did not inform the Assembly when intending to transfer the Radisson Hotel to HIMC, despite legislative approval of N2 billion for its purchase.
The findings underscored the Assembly’s insistence on transparency and adherence to proper legal and financial procedures in state projects.
The committees noted that immediate government intervention is necessary to safeguard public investments and ensure both MOWAA and Radisson Blu Hotel serve their intended cultural and economic purposes.
