Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has reeled out the achievements of his administration in his first 100 days in office.
In his address at an event on Thursday to commemorate the administration’s first 100 days in office, held at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub in Benin City, the Governor said he has laid a strong foundation for progress across critical sectors in the State.
Noting that he met a State full of potentials, but facing challenges, Governor Okpebholo said from the first day of his administration, the focus and goal was clear – “to restore hope in leadership, create opportunities and set Edo on the path of lasting progress.”
He noted that there is so much to be done and his administration is taking decisive steps to turn its vision into reality.
Governor Okpebholo reeled out the successes of his administration in the areas of security, infrastructure, natural resources and agriculture, and education, and assured the people that more benefits are in the offing.
“We have taken significant steps in strengthening our economy by increasing our Internally Generated Revenue IGR by N10 billion as we took our drive to corporate bodies.
“We have done away with wasteful consultants and invested resources in strengthening public efficiency and our commitment to job creation is evident in the growth of the public service, our talent development programme where best minds contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of Edo State.
“Our administration understands that SMEs are the bedrock of our economy and so, we launched interests-free loans scheme for market women, farmers and artisans which will benefit over 5,000 people in collaboration with the World Bank.
“We have disbursed grants to over 400 small business owners ensuring resilience in the face of economic challenges,” he said.
While reeling out achievements in the area of food, security and agriculture, the governor said his administration, in order to make food readily available for the people – had banned market unions who were responsible for price inflation in all the markets.
He said: “Healthcare remains a top priority within the last 100 days in office as we have established the first VVF centre in the South South, ensuring women receive specialized maternal care, run free malaria testing and free treatment across government hospitals for the next two years, upgrade health facilities across the State, ensuring quality healthcare services for Edo citizens.
“For my administration, security is not negotiable as we took bold steps by amending the anti-cultism and kidnapping laws with stiffer penalties which has led to significant reduction in cult-related violence.
“We reorganized the Edo State Security Corps and recovered over 3,500 illegal fire arms, procured 75 Toyota Hilux vehicles and 350 motorbikes to match the criminals in line with our promise to smoke them out.
“My administration is constructing major roads across the State with the historic Ramat Park flyover project which is set to ease traffic congestion in Benin City.
“Looking ahead, the future of Edo State under my leadership is bright as evidenced in the progress we have made together. With our economic development plan, we will prioritize agricultural infrastructure and investment in youths skills development as the State becomes the 5th largest economy in Nigeria.”
He noted that the plan by his administration is to drive economic growth in the next four years.
National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress APC, Dr Umar Ganduje commended the governor for his developmental strides in the State, saying Okpebholo is a progressive, a performer and working Governor.
Unveiling the project – SHINE – the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor, said SHINE is an acronym that stands for Security, infrastructure, Natural Resources and Agriculture, and Education, and it is the framework that drives the actions of Governor Okpebholo.
He noted that the actions of the Governor are backed up with plans derived from his many interactions with the people.
According to him, disengaging none State actors- consultants, the administration has been able to discover that the previous administration was appropriating N5.7 billion to subscribe to the e-gov platform.
The guest lecturer who is a former governor of Edo State and senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who spoke on the theme, “Practical Governance: A new Edo has risen”, said Edo is truly rising as the Okpebholo administration is working and fixing the State.
He noted that the current administration has demonstrated practical governance in the last 100 days as there are evidences to show for its achievements.
Oshiomhole added that the administration led by Okpebholo is working without signing MoUs and hiring consultants to help develop the State.
“The Governor is a man who talks less but work more and in 100 days, we have more achievements to show to Edo people. What Edo people want is for your administration to continue to create the enabling environment for them to thrive.
“Before now, the previous administration used State funds to buy weapons for thugs to disturb the peace of the people of Edo State but Senator Monday Okpebholo uses State resources to create the enabling environment for Edo people to live peacefully.
“In 100 days, the Governor provided security vehicles for security agencies in the State, revived Edo Line Transport Services after many years, what I could not achieve in 100 days in my time. In 100 days you have laid a very solid foundation for the progress, growth and development of Edo State,” he stated.
Chairman of the planing committee and Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon. Dennis Idahosa in his welcome address said the occasion was to take stock of the achievements of the Okpebholo led administration in the last 100 days.
He said the agenda of this present administration is to turn Edo State around and return its glory through the five-point agenda of the governor which focuses on development and growth, and making the citizens priority.
“In 100 days in office, we already have evidences to show that a new Edo is rising. As we present our achievements of 100 days in office, Edo people will agree that this administration stands as a testament to practical governance as a new Edo is rising,” he said.
Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edesili Anani Okpebholo thanked the Governor for his developmental strides in Edo State, urging him to give women more appointments in his administration.
She assured that the women will give him their 100 percent vote come 2028 governorship election.
Other guests present at the occasion included the former Minister for Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba; former Deputy Governors of Edo State, Lucky Imasuen, Pius Odubu and Comrade Phillip Shaibu; Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly EDHA, Rt. Hon Blessing Agbebaku; traditional and religious leaders, party leaders, civil servants, politicians, civil society groups market women and stakeholders.
