Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has ordered an immediate freeze on all state-owned bank accounts, instructing that no funds be withdrawn until further notice.
In a strict directive, Okpebholo warned commercial banks, as well as heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), to comply swiftly.
Any delay or breach, he cautioned, would lead to severe repercussions.
“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 coffers of Government until there is a further notice,” he stated.
Okpebholo emphasized that full compliance from all MDAs is mandatory. “Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies must comply with this order and ensure that there is a full compliance without any further delays,” he said.
The governor clarified that after necessary investigations and account reconciliations, his administration would make further decisions, but “for now, this order stands.”
Additionally, Governor Okpebholo announced a reversion of the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to the Ministry of Works. He criticized the former administration’s choice of name, suggesting it was misleading.
“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,” said the governor’s spokesperson, Fred Itua.
Okpebholo stated that in the days ahead, his administration would further scrutinize previous government actions, making decisions in the best interest of Edo State.
Previously, the governor had also ordered an indefinite suspension of revenue collection across the state, including at motor parks.
