Okpebholo fires perm secs, dissolves boards
Twenty-four hours after his swearing-in, Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, on Wednesday, approved the dissolution of the executive of all boards, agencies and parastatals in the state public service with immediate effect.
The directive affected all permanent secretaries appointed outside the civil service.
The governor also ordered contractors in the state to return to sites, asking them to immediately fix all failed portions within the Benin metropolis.
In the same vein, he ordered the immediate and indefinite suspension of the collection of all revenues in the state, especially in motor parks, until further notice.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the governor ordered all affected appointees to hand over all government properties in their possession to the most senior public officers in their respective ministries, departments and agencies.
The statement read, “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the dissolution of executives of all boards, agencies and parastatals in Edo State Public Service with immediate effect.
“In addition, all permanent secretaries appointed from outside the state public/civil service and all political appointees are hereby relieved of their appointments.
“Accordingly, all affected appointees are to hand over all government properties in their possession to the most senior public officer in their respective ministries, departments and agencies.”
In another statement, the governor ordered the state Commissioner of Police to arrest anyone who flouted the order on revenue collection suspension.
The statement read, “The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has ordered the immediate and indefinite suspension of the collection of all revenues in Edo, especially in motor parks and others, until further notice.
“The governor said he would review the issues surrounding the collections soon and decide on the way forward.
“The collection of revenues in the state has been suspended indefinitely. Anyone seen collecting revenues on behalf of the state government will be arrested.
“The Commissioner of Police is hereby ordered to arrest anyone who flouts the order and collects any kind of revenues on behalf of the state government.
“The governor will soon address the issues and concerns raised. He will issue new directives soon. Until then, no one is authorised to collect revenues on behalf of the state government.”
Speaking during an inspection tour of the Upper Mission Extension Road by Aduwawa junction and the Ramat Park Axis in Benin City, Okpebholo said his administration, in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu, remained committed to restoring the hope of Edo people.
Decrying the bad state of the roads, the governor assured residents that work would commence immediately.
He said he was in a hurry to bring the dividends of democracy to the people, by providing motorable roads.
He added, “During the campaigns, I promised that I am going to hit the ground running. Today, I ordered contractors back to the sites. We have no time to waste.
“We promised our people that we would fix and construct the roads. There is only one dry season in a year. This is the time to immediately move to sites and fix the roads.
“So, Edo people should expect good things to happen. We will fix our roads and ensure that our people enjoy the dividends of democracy.”
Some of the areas work is expected to commence immediately include the 7.5km Temboga Road, Lucky Way Junction by Aduwawa, and Ramat Park/Slope Axis.
Similarly, other parts of the state capital to experience immediate mobilisation of contractors are Eyaen Road and Obadan Junction, along the Benin/Auchi road.
The PUNCH reports that the governor, in his inaugural speech on Tuesday, promised to prioritise road construction, among others.
The high point of the day’s tour was the inauguration of the branch of Premium Trust Bank in Benin.
