Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has set a firm 48-hour deadline for the 18 local government council chairpersons to submit their financial statements. This directive was communicated by Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, in a statement released to the media on Tuesday in Benin City.
The governor has instructed the council chairpersons to present their financial statements to the Assets Verification Committee through the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG). The required statements should cover the period from September 4, 2023, to the present date.
Governor Okpebholo emphasized that these financial disclosures are essential for the Assets Verification Committee to carry out its responsibilities effectively. During a meeting with the local government chairpersons at the Government House, he reiterated his commitment to collaboration and progress for Edo State.
The meeting was attended by the governor’s deputy, Dennis Idahosa, who conveyed the governor’s sentiments. “I have listened attentively to the ALGON Chairman. The Governor is a leader for all of us. Elections have come and gone, and now we are united as one family,” he stated.
Idahosa further reassured the council chairpersons of the governor’s dedication to transparency and accountability within the administration. He noted that the Assets Verification Committee, recently established, requires the chairpersons’ cooperation to gather necessary information across the state’s 18 local government areas.
“The governor requests that you submit your financial statements from September 4, 2023, to date, to the Assets Verification Committee within the next 48 hours. This will significantly assist the Committee in performing its duties effectively and efficiently,” he added.
Earlier in the meeting, Newman Ugiagbe, the chairman of Orhionmwon Local Government Area and representative of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), expressed the chairpersons’ loyalty to Governor Okpebholo. He pledged their commitment to working collaboratively to ensure the success of his administration.
“We are here to congratulate the Governor and Deputy on the mandate entrusted to them by the people of Edo. We pledge our loyalty to your administration and are ready to implement your policies at the grassroots level, ensuring our communities benefit from the dividends of democracy,” Ugiagbe stated.
