Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, reflecting on his first 100 days in office on Thursday at an elaborate event attended by members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of his ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) led by the National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, said he had laid a strong foundation for progress across critical sectors in the state, assuring the people that there were more benefits in the offing.
Speaking at the event held at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, Airport Road in Benin City, Governor Okpebholo noted that he met a state full of potentials, but facing challenges, stressing that from the first day of his administration, the focus and goal was clear – “to restore hope in leadership, create opportunities and set Edo on the path of lasting progress.”
Governor Okpebholo, who reeled out the successes of his administration in the areas of security, infrastructure, natural resources and agriculture, and education, opined that there is so much to be done, and his administration was taking decisive steps to turn its vision into reality. He said his administration’s plan is to drive economic growth in the next four years.
Okpebholo said, “We have taken significant steps in strengthening our economy by increasing our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by N10 billion as we took our drive to corporate bodies.
“We have done away with wasteful consultants and invested resources in strengthening public efficiency and our commitment to job creation is evident in the growth of the public service, our talent development programme where best minds contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of Edo State.
“Our administration understands that SMEs are the bedrock of our economy and so, we launched interest-free loans scheme for market women, farmers and artisans which will benefit over 5,000 people in collaboration with the World Bank.
“We have disbursed grants to over 400 small business owners ensuring resilience in the face of economic challenges”.
While reeling out achievements in food, security and agriculture, the governor said to make food readily available to the people, he had banned market unions who were reportedly responsible for price inflation in all the markets.
“Healthcare remains a top priority within the last 100 days in office as we have established the first VVF centre in the South-South; ensuring women receive specialised maternal care; run free malaria testing and free treatment across government hospitals for the next two years; upgrade health facilities across the state, ensuring quality healthcare services for Edo citizens.
“For my administration, security is not negotiable as we took bold steps by amending the anti-cultism and kidnapping laws with stiffer penalties which has led to significant reduction in cult-related violence.
“We reorganised the Edo State Security Corps and recovered over 3,500 illegal firearms, procured 75 Toyota Hilux vehicles and 350 motorbikes to match the criminals in line with our promise to smoke them out.
“My administration is constructing major roads across the state with the historic Ramat Park flyover project which is set to ease traffic congestion in Benin City.
“Looking ahead, the future of Edo State under my leadership is bright as evidenced in the progress we have made together. With our economic development plan, we will prioritize agricultural infrastructure and investment in youths’ skills development as the state becomes the 5th largest economy in Nigeria.”
National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje commended the governor for his developmental strides, with residents of the state now enjoying the real dividends of democracy. He described Okpebholo as “a progressive, a performer and working Governor” who is ensuring practical governance in Edo State.
Ganduje, who was accompanied from Abuja by members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of APC, hailed Edo governor for talking less and performing excellently.
The former Kano State governor said, “When I mentioned to NWC members of APC, the invitation by Governor Okpebholo to his 100 days in office celebration, all of them indicated interest to attend, considering his impressive performance they have been watching on television and positive stories being told by persons who recently visited Edo State.
“Governor Okpebholo has achieved a lot in just 100 days in office, and he is laying a solid foundation in Edo, which will easily give him four plus four (another term).
“Edo State governor is a calculative leader, who is always sure of funds, before embarking on his administration’s many capital-intensive projects, and he ensures adequate supervision.”
Unveiling the project – SHINE – the secretary to the state government, (SSG) Musa Umar Ikhilor, said SHINE is an acronym that stands for Security, infrastructure, Natural Resources and Agriculture, and Education, and it is the framework that drives the actions of Governor Okpebholo.
Ikhilor noted that the actions of the governor were backed up with plans derived from his many interactions with the people.
According to him, disengaging non-state actors like consultants, the administration had been able to discover that the previous administration was appropriating N5.7 billion to subscribe to the e-gov platform.
The guest lecturer at the event, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo State stated that Edo is truly rising as the Okpebholo administration is working and fixing the state.
The senator representing Edo North senatorial district, who spoke on the theme, “Practical Governance: A New Edo Has Risen”, noted that the administration had demonstrated practical governance in the last 100 days as there are evidence to show for its achievements.
In a veiled reference to ex-Governor Obaseki, Oshiomhole noted that the Okpebholo-led administration was working “without signing MoUs and hiring consultants” to help develop the state. He said, “The Governor is a man who talks less but work more and in 100 days, we have more achievements to show to Edo people. What Edo people want is for your administration to continue to create the enabling environment for them to thrive.
“Before now, the previous administration used state funds to buy weapons for thugs to disturb the peace of the people of Edo State, but Senator Monday Okpebholo uses state resources to create the enabling environment for Edo people to live peacefully.
“In 100 days, the Governor provided security vehicles for security agencies in the state, revived Edo Line Transport Service after many years, what I could not achieve in 100 days in my time. In 100 days, you have laid a very solid foundation for the progress, growth and development of Edo State”.
In his welcome address, chairman of the planning committee and deputy governor, Dennis Idahosa, said the occasion was to take stock of the achievements of the Okpebholo-led administration in the last 100 days.
Idahosa said the agenda of this present administration is to turn Edo State around and restore its glory through the five-point agenda of the governor which focuses on development and growth, and making the citizens the priority.
“In 100 days in office, we already have evidence to show that a new Edo is rising. As we present our achievements of 100 days in office, Edo people will agree that this administration stands as a testament to practical governance as a new Edo is rising,” he said.
Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edesili Anani Okpebholo, thanked the governor for his developmental strides, urging him to give women more appointments in his administration. She assured that the women would give him their 100 percent vote come 2028 governorship election.
Other guests present at the occasion included the former Minister for Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba; former Deputy Governors of Edo State, Lucky Imasuen, Pius Odubu and Phillip Shaibu; Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, (EDHA) Blessing Agbebaku; traditional and religious leaders, party leaders, civil servants, politicians, civil society groups market women and stakeholders.
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