Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has issued an immediate directive to freeze all state-owned bank accounts, effective until further notice.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Mr. Fred Itua, the governor ordered strict compliance from all commercial banks, ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) and warned that any non-compliance would result in severe repercussions for involved officials.
“All bank accounts in commercial banks are to remain frozen,” the governor’s statement emphasized, instructing banks to prevent any transactions until further directives are issued. Heads of MDAs were similarly instructed to enforce full adherence to the freeze order.
Governor Okpebholo also announced the dissolution of the Ministry of Roads and Bridges, reverting it to the Ministry of Works. This move undoes a decision from the prior administration of Godwin Obaseki, which introduced the specialized ministry. Governor Okpebholo cited a lack of bridge and significant road projects under the previous administration, calling the ministry’s name “absurd.”
“It is ironic to maintain a ‘Ministry of Roads and Bridges’ when no bridges were constructed,” Governor Okpebholo remarked, pledging further reviews and reforms within state administration.
