Governor Okpebholo freezes all state bank accounts, reverses ministry name changes
On Thursday, November 14, Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, announced the immediate freezing of all state-owned accounts in commercial banks, effective until further notice. This bold move is part of ongoing efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in the state’s finances.
According to a statement from Fred Itua, the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Okpebholo also ordered the reversal of the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to its original name, the Ministry of Works. The Governor’s office emphasized that all commercial banks and heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) must comply with the order immediately.
“All commercial bank accounts have been frozen, and no funds should be withdrawn from the state’s accounts until further notice,” the statement read. “Any MDAs, civil servants, or others found violating this directive will face severe consequences.”
Okpebholo also addressed the renaming of the Ministry of Roads and Bridges, a decision made during the previous administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki. He criticized the name change, noting that the administration had not built any bridges or substantial roads. “It is ironic to maintain such a name when no bridges or roads were constructed. Not even a pedestrian bridge,” Okpebholo said.
In his statement, Okpebholo pledged that more changes would be made in the coming days, focusing on reversing actions from the previous administration that he believed were not in the state’s best interest. He instructed relevant agencies to implement the new name for the ministry immediately.
The Governor’s recent actions are part of his broader efforts to reform state operations and ensure fiscal responsibility.
