Okpebholo fires perm secs, dissolves boards
Monday Okpebholo, the governor of Edo State, approved the dissolution of all boards, agencies, and parastatals in the state public service with immediate effect on Wednesday, twenty-four hours after taking office.
All permanent secretaries appointed outside of the civil service were impacted by the directive.
Additionally, the governor directed state contractors to visit the sites and request that they promptly repair any damaged areas in the Benin city.
Similarly, he directed that all state income collection, particularly in vehicle parks, be suspended immediately and indefinitely until further notice.
The governor directed all impacted appointees to turn up all government property they own to the highest ranking public officials in their respective ministries, departments, and agencies, according to a statement sent by his chief press secretary, Fred Itua.
It is therefore stated for the public's information that Edo State Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo has authorised the immediate dissolution of the executives of all boards, agencies, and parastatals within the Edo State Public Service.
Furthermore, all political appointees and permanent secretaries appointed from outside the state public or civil service are hereby stripped of their positions.
As a result, all impacted appointees must turn over all government assets they own to the highest ranking public official in their respective ministries, departments and agencies.”
In another statement, the governor ordered the state Commissioner of Police to arrest anyone who flouted the order on revenue collection suspension.
According to the announcement, "Until further notice, the collection of all taxes in Edo, particularly at automobile parks and other locations, has been immediately and permanently suspended by Senator Monday Okpebholo, the governor of Edo State.
The governor promised to examine the collections-related concerns shortly and make a decision.
"The state has placed an indefinite halt on revenue collection. Anyone caught collecting money for the state government will be taken into custody.
"Anyone who disobeys the order and collects any kind of revenue on behalf of the state government will be arrested by the Commissioner of Police."
"The governor will quickly respond to the concerns and issues brought up. Soon, he will provide new orders. Until that time, nobody has the authority to collect revenues on behalf of the state government.”
Speaking at an inspection tour of Benin City's Upper Mission Extension Road at Aduwawa junction and the Ramat Park Axis, Okpebholo stated that his administration was still dedicated to giving the Edo people hope again in accordance with President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope program.
The governor apologised for the poor condition of the roads and promised the people that work would start right away.
He claimed that he was eager to provide motorable roads so that the people may benefit from democracy.
"I made a commitment to start right away during the campaigns," he continued. I told contractors to return to the sites today. We can't waste any more time.
We made a commitment to our people that we would build and repair the roads. There is only one dry season in a year. This is the time to immediately move to sites and fix the roads.
“So, Edo people should expect good things to happen. We will fix our roads and ensure that our people enjoy the dividends of democracy.”
Some of the areas work is expected to commence immediately include the 7.5km Temboga Road, Lucky Way Junction by Aduwawa, and Ramat Park/Slope Axis.
Similarly, Eyaen route and Obadan Junction, which are located along the Benin/Auchi route, are additional areas of the state capital where contractors were mobilised right away.
Among other things, the governor pledged to give road building top priority in his inaugural address on Tuesday.
The opening of the Premium Trust Bank branch in Benin was the highlight of the day's excursion.
