The governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has ordered the immediate freezing of all state government’s accounts in various banks, warning commercial banks, heads of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to comply with the order immediately or face severe sanctions.
The governor also directed the immediate restoration of the ministry of works hitherto scrapped by the immediate past Godwin Obaseki administration which was renamed ministry of roads and bridges.
A statement on Thursday by the chief press secretary to the governor, Fred Itua, said “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 confers of Government until there is a further notice.
“Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies must comply with this order and ensure that there is a full compliance without any further delay.
“After the necessary investigations and reconciliations, the Governor will do the needful and decide on the way forward. For now, this order stands”.
On the restoration of the ministry of works, Governor Okpebholo said “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.
“In the coming days, we will look at more actions taken by the previous administration and more decisions will be taken that will be done in the best interest of the state”.