Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability in public finance management, calling for the repatriation of former governor Godwin Obaseki to “answer critical questions” surrounding the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) project.
The governor made the remarks on Monday during the commissioning of what has been described as the largest single agricultural mechanisation investment in Edo State’s history. The event, held at Government House, Benin City, was attended by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who led a delegation of federal lawmakers on a working visit.
According to his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, Governor Okpebholo said the mechanisation initiative signals his administration’s determination to reposition Edo as a national leader in commercial agriculture and food security.
At the ceremony, the state unveiled 30 tractors, five bulldozers, 150 farming implements, and a lowbed truck—machinery expected to significantly expand agricultural capacity, boost productivity, and accelerate rural development.
“This is a strategic investment that will change the trajectory of Edo’s economy,” Governor Okpebholo declared. “We are laying the foundation for food sufficiency, commercial-scale farming, and long-term prosperity for our people.”
He added that the new equipment represents a shift from subsistence farming to full-scale mechanisation, positioning Edo as a reliable contributor to national food reserves while reducing vulnerability to economic shocks.
The event was attended by Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa; Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku; Senator Adams Oshiomhole; federal legislators; and other senior government officials.
While the commissioning focused on agricultural development, it also highlighted the administration’s push for accountability in state governance. Responding to the governor’s remarks on the MOWAA controversy, Senate President Akpabio assured that the Federal Government would review the state’s submissions and ensure due process in all subsequent steps.
Goodwill messages from political leaders, including Speaker Agbebaku, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, and Senator Oshiomhole, praised the mechanisation initiative as a turning point in Edo’s economic revival. They commended Governor Okpebholo for prioritising agriculture and embedding transparency, productivity, and long-term value creation at the core of his development vision.
They noted that the landmark investment sets Edo on a path to becoming one of Nigeria’s most forward-looking agricultural states.
