In a sweeping first move just 24 hours after his swearing-in, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has enacted a series of major directives aimed at reorganizing the state’s public service and addressing critical infrastructure issues.
On Wednesday, Okpebholo approved the immediate dissolution of executive leadership across all boards, agencies, and parastatals within the Edo State Public Service.
This directive also affected permanent secretaries who had been appointed from outside the civil service, as well as other political appointees, all of whom have been instructed to hand over government properties to the senior-most public officials in their departments.
In a bold move to address longstanding issues with state revenue collection, the governor ordered an indefinite suspension of all revenue collections, specifically targeting motor parks and similar venues, until further notice.
Okpebholo warned that anyone found collecting revenue on behalf of the state government would face arrest, and he directed the state’s Commissioner of Police to enforce this order strictly. He also noted that a review of the revenue collection system is underway, with further guidelines expected soon.
During a tour of key road sites in Benin City, the governor also ordered contractors to return to work immediately, prioritizing the repair and construction of major roads in alignment with his campaign promises.
He emphasized the urgency of completing these projects during the current dry season, committing to significant road improvements as a top priority for his administration.
Areas expected to see immediate work include the Temboga Road, the Lucky Way Junction, and the Ramat Park/Slope Axis. Contractors are also expected to mobilize for projects on Eyaen Road and the Obadan Junction along the Benin-Auchi road.
Okpebholo’s rapid actions have drawn attention, signaling a no-nonsense approach to delivering the “Renewed Hope” agenda, echoing President Bola Tinubu’s national framework.
Addressing residents during his inspection tour, he affirmed his commitment to swift and substantial improvements in Edo’s infrastructure. He stated, “We promised our people motorable roads and better infrastructure, and we are not wasting time to deliver on that.”
The governor’s moves come on the heels of his inaugural speech, where he emphasized road construction and infrastructure as central to his administration’s agenda.
