Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has revealed that his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, left behind a staggering debt of about N180 billion owed to local contractors before leaving office on November 12, 2024.
Speaking in Benin City during the celebration of his one year in office, themed “365 Days: Rebuilding a New Edo. Celebrating One Year of Practical Governance,” Okpebholo said Obaseki’s administration also left over N600 billion in total local and foreign debts.
According to him, “out of this figure, about N180 billion was owed to local contractors,” stressing that his government has already begun settling the debts.
The governor lamented that there was no transparency in how the loans were secured, adding that he inherited a state weighed down by “rot, debt, insecurity, and distrust.”
He said through focus, teamwork, and prayers, his administration has begun rebuilding Edo on “a solid foundation for growth anchored on strong institutions and renewed public confidence.”
Okpebholo described the state he met as a “war zone,” plagued by cult killings, kidnapping, armed robbery, and cybercrime.
“In 2024 alone, we recorded over 300 cult-related killings. These were facts. These were figures of people that died just because somebody wants to kill them because he or she is protesting,” he said.
The governor explained that his administration acted decisively by strengthening the anti-cultism law, providing 60 vans and 40 motorcycles to security agencies, and recruiting 2,500 officers into the Edo State Security Corps.
On healthcare, he said he met a collapsed system with hospitals lacking drugs and unmotivated workers. He disclosed that new primary healthcare centres are being built across the 18 local government areas, with diagnostic machines provided and a 150-bed hospital under construction.
On infrastructure, Okpebholo announced that over 28 new roads covering more than 250 kilometres have been awarded, alongside the construction of two new flyovers at Ramat Park and Adesuwa Junction, Benin City.
He added that the administration has created over 10,000 jobs, launched a N1 billion interest-free loan scheme for traders, and set up a N1 billion scholarship fund for indigent students in tertiary institutions.
The governor also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his “leadership and support,” saying without him, “it would have been difficult for my administration to succeed.”
