Copyright tribuneonlineng
As Edo Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, marks his first anniversary in office, the state government says it administration has delivered impressive results across key sectors — from roads and education to healthcare and civil service reforms — far exceeding public expectations. Addressing journalists in Benin City, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, said the Governor’s one-year performance has silenced critics and restored confidence in the state’s leadership. Afegbua disclosed that a colloquium would be held as part of the anniversary celebration to examine the administration’s progress and challenges, with guest speakers drawn from within and outside the state to chart a clear path for the government’s second year in office. He maintained that Governor Okpebholo has “outperformed his detractors,” adding that the Governor inherited a decayed system contrary to public belief that Edo was already an Eldorado under the previous administration. The Information Commissioner accused the immediate past government in Edo of massive mismanagement, particularly in the education sector. He described the EdoBEST initiative as a “conduit pipe” used to drain the state’s resources, alleging that consultants were paid ₦160 million monthly from 2018 to 2024 without visible improvements in schools. Afegbua noted that the Okpebholo administration has begun reclaiming the education system, with over 60 schools currently undergoing reconstruction. “One of the most remarkable is the Army Day Secondary School in Benin, which was rebuilt within eight weeks,” he said. He also revealed that 60 primary healthcare centres and several general hospitals across the state have been refurbished and reopened, part of what he described as the administration’s aggressive investment in public health. On manpower development, Afegbua said the government has integrated 5,000 teachers and 500 civil servants into the state workforce to rebuild the public service. “Before now, the civil service was a joke. Consultants and over 41 redundant agencies drained the state, but we have cleaned up the system,” he declared. Afegbua likened Edo State to a “badly accidented vehicle” now being “panel-beaten back to shape” by Governor Okpebholo. “Those who mocked him as a panel-beater forget that panel-beaters fix broken things. Edo’s broken system is being fixed under his watch,” he stated. He emphasized that the government has been firm in confronting cultism, kidnapping, and corruption, adding that the Governor “will continue to step on toes” to restore sanity and accountability in governance. On infrastructure, the Commissioner listed the Ramat Park Flyover and another at Dawson Street as major ongoing projects to ease traffic congestion in Benin City, while hinting at plans for a third flyover before the end of the administration’s second year. He further mentioned ongoing rehabilitation of Sapele Road, Auchi Road, and other major highways in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Works, led by Dr. David Umahi, who has visited Edo multiple times at the Governor’s invitation. According to Afegbua, the state is also adopting new construction technologies, including cement-cast road bases, to ensure longer-lasting road projects. “We are prioritizing quality over quantity,” he added. The Commissioner stressed that Governor Okpebholo’s first year was marked by transparency, adherence to due process, and fiscal discipline. “Edo was bleeding before we took over, but the Governor insists on doing things by the book,” he said. He concluded that with a full cabinet of 28 commissioners and new ministries aligned with federal structures, the administration is now fully equipped to accelerate development. “We are rebuilding Edo brick by brick, and the results are already visible across the state,” Afegbua affirmed.
