By Ben Young
The Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo has ordered the immediate freezing of all Bank accounts of the state government.
Similarly, the governor has abolished the Ministry of Roads and Bridges created by the immediate past government and directed that it revert to the Ministry of Works.
A statement by the Chief Press secretary to the state governor, Fred Itua, in Benin on Thursday said the Governor also warned commercial banks and heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to comply with the order immediately without any delays.
According to the statement, the Governor also warned that anyone, including heads of MDAs and civil servants who flout the order will be severely punished.
“All bank accounts in all the commercial banks have been frozen. Commercial banks must comply with the order and ensure that not a dime is taken out of the confers of Government until there is a further notice.
“Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies must comply with this order and ensure that there is a full compliance without any further delays.
“After the necessary investigations and reconciliations, the Governor will do the needful and decide on the way forward. For now, this order stands,” the statement read.
In the meantime, the Governor has asked the relevant Government agencies to reverse the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to the Ministry of Works. The reversed infamous name was conceptualised during the administration of Godwin Obaseki.
Governor Okpebholo, said since no bridges or good roads were constructed by the administration of Obaseki, it is therefore absurd to maintain such a name.
The Governor, has therefore ordered relevant government agencies to implement the new order and immediately reflect the new name.
“It is funny how you can call a Government institution Ministry of Roads and Bridges. Ironically, no single bridge was built by the same administration. Not even a pedestrian bridge.
“In the coming days, we will look at more actions taken by the previous administration and more decisions will be taken that will be done in the best interest of the State,” the statement concluded.
