Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has taken the unprecedented step of freezing all state-owned accounts in commercial banks. This order is effective immediately and remains in place until further notice, a directive that underscores the governor’s commitment to stringent financial oversight.
The announcement, made public through a statement from Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, emphasized the necessity for all commercial banks alongside heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to adhere to this directive without hesitation.
Governor Okpebholo accentuated the importance of this financial freeze, stating, “All bank accounts in all the commercial banks have been frozen. Commercial banks must comply with the order and ensure that not a dime is taken out of the coffers of the government until further notice.”
As part of his broader agenda to restore effective governance, the governor has also taken steps to realign the state’s infrastructure portfolio. He has announced the renaming of the Ministry of Roads and Bridges back to its original designation: the Ministry of Works.
This rebranding echoes a criticism of the previous administration led by Godwin Obaseki, which Governor Okpebholo claims failed to realize any significant infrastructure projects during its tenure.
He commented, “It is funny how you can call a government institution the Ministry of Roads and Bridges. Ironically, not a single bridge was built by the same administration. Not even a pedestrian bridge.”
The governor’s directive mandates that all related governmental agencies immediately implement the name change and ensure its reflection across all official channels. This reversion is more than a mere renaming; it symbolizes a renewed focus on infrastructure development and accountability within the state government.
Governor Okpebholo has also expressed his intention to scrutinize more aspects of the previous administration’s policies, asserting, “In the coming days, we will look at more actions taken by the previous administration, and more decisions will be made in the best interest of the state.”
