Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has directed the immediate suspension of all state-owned bank accounts.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the governor clarified that the accounts would stay frozen until further instructions are given.
The governor also urged commercial banks and leaders of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to implement the directive without hesitation.
The statement emphasized that Okpebholo warned that anyone, including MDAs leaders and government employees, who ignores the order would face stringent consequences.
“All state bank accounts with commercial banks have been frozen. Commercial banks must comply with this order and ensure that not a single naira is withdrawn from government coffers until further notice.
“Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies must ensure full compliance without delay.
“Following necessary investigations and reconciliations, the governor will take appropriate action and decide on the way forward. For now, this order remains in effect,” the statement read.
The governor also instructed the appropriate government bodies to restore the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to its former name, the Ministry of Works, a change that was made during the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Okpebholo mandated swift adherence, insisting that the updated name be formally adopted.
“It is odd to name a government institution the Ministry of Roads and Bridges, especially when not a single bridge was built by the previous administration — not even a pedestrian bridge.
“In the coming days, we will examine further actions taken by the previous administration and make decisions that serve the best interests of the state,” the statement concluded.
