Edo Governor, Okpebholo Freezes State Accounts, Renames Roads Ministry

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has ordered the immediate freezing of all state-owned bank accounts, directing that no funds may be withdrawn from these accounts until further notice.

The directive applies to all commercial banks holding state funds, as the governor warned that failure to comply will result in severe consequences for both bank officials and government staff.

In a statement released by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, Governor Okpebholo stressed that heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), as well as civil servants, must ensure full adherence to the freeze order. The governor made it clear that anyone found violating this directive would face stringent punishment.

“Commercial banks are hereby instructed to ensure that not a single dime is withdrawn from the state’s accounts. This measure will remain in place until further notice,” the statement read.

Governor Okpebholo also announced that a thorough investigation and reconciliation process would take place before further decisions on the state’s financial management are made. He assured the public that after the review, a course of action will be decided in the best interest of Edo State.

In a separate development, the Governor also addressed the controversial Ministry of Roads and Bridges, which was established during the previous administration of Godwin Obaseki. Governor Okpebholo criticised the naming of the ministry, pointing out that, under Obaseki’s leadership, no significant infrastructure projects, such as bridges or new roads, were completed. He has therefore ordered that the Ministry of Roads and Bridges be reversed to the Ministry of Works.

“It is absurd to maintain the name ‘Ministry of Roads and Bridges’ when no roads or bridges were built. We cannot continue with such a misleading nomenclature,” Okpebholo said. “The relevant agencies have been instructed to implement the name change immediately.”

Governor Okpebholo further noted that his administration would continue to review and take decisive actions regarding projects and policies from the previous government.