Monday

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, on Wednesday night, reversed his approval of free bus services across the state announced earlier in the day.

Initially announced on Wednesday morning as part of the state’s welfare initiatives, the decision to suspend the service was communicated later the same day.

The initial directive, as outlined in a press statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, stated that the free bus service would cover intra-city routes within Benin metropolis and inter-city routes across the three senatorial districts.

It was intended to reflect Okpebholo’s commitment to enhancing the welfare of Edo residents.

However, a subsequent statement from Itua late Wednesday night called for the earlier announcement to be disregarded.

“The earlier statement announcing the approval of free bus services by the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, should be disregarded,” he said.

The CPS explained that the governor was being briefed on operational issues within the Edo City Transport Service, which manages the free bus initiative.

However, a subsequent statement from Itua late Wednesday night called for the earlier announcement to be disregarded.

“The earlier statement announcing the approval of free bus services by the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, should be disregarded,” he said.

The CPS explained that the governor was being briefed on operational issues within the Edo City Transport Service, which manages the free bus initiative.

“For now, the free bus services have been placed on hold. A new decision by the governor will be communicated to the general public,” he said.

The reversal has raised questions about the operational and logistical challenges facing the programme, leaving residents awaiting further clarification on the state’s transportation policies

Earlier in an interview with The PUNCH, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Edo State chapter, Bernard Joman, had commended the governor, saying the gesture would help cushion the effect of the harsh economy on Edo commuters.

“It is a welcome development for the Edo Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress and to the people of the state. It will help to cushion the harsh economic conditions on the people and workers.

“The higher institution students have resumed and they will all be going to various destinations in the state and the free transportation will surely help them.

“I will urge the governor of the state, Senator Monday Okpehbolo, to ensure that the scheme is enduring so that the people and workers will benefit for a long time.”

The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has approved free bus services for the people of the state through the Edo City Transport Service.

In a press statement on Tuesday issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Fred Itua, the initiative is part of the Okpebholo administration’s drive to entrench his policy direction.

The free bus service, according to the statement, will cover Benin metropolis and the three Senatorial Districts of the state (Intra and Intercity routes) and is part of the governor’s commitment to enhance the welfare of all Edo people.

The statement added, “The bus services will ease the transportation stress. Our people who plan to move around within the Benin metropolis and out will be able to do that without any extra financial burdens.

“Edo Central, like Ekpoma, Iruekpen, Irrua, Uromi, and other places, are also part of the routes the free transportation services will cover.

“Edo North is fully captured. Agbede, Auchi, Okpella, Fugar, and other parts of Edo North are covered in the free transportation scheme of Governor Monday Okpebholo.”

The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has ordered the immediate freezing of all state-owned accounts in commercial banks until further notice.

LEADING REPORTERS gathered that the Governor also reversed the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to the initial Ministry of Works.

A statement by Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, made available to newsmen on Thursday in Benin City, however, warned commercial banks, heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to immediately comply with the order without any delays.

Okpebholo also warned that anyone, including heads of MDAs and civil servants, who flouted the order would be severely punished.

According to him, 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 the government until further notice.

“Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies must comply with this order and ensure full compliance without any further delays.

After the necessary investigations and reconciliations, the Governor will do the needful and decide on the way forward. For now, this order stands,” he said.

Meanwhile, the governor, who reverted the naming of the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to the former Ministry of Works, noted that the former was infamously conceptualized during the administration of Godwin Obaseki.

The governor added that since no bridges or good roads were constructed by the administration of Obaseki, it is therefore absurd to maintain such a name.

He, therefore, ordered all relevant government agencies to implement the new order and immediately reflect the new name.

“It is funny how you can call a government institution the Ministry of Roads and Bridges. Ironically, not a 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 made in the best interest of the state,” he added.

Barely 24 hours after assuming office as the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has sacked all permanent secretaries appointed from outside the state public service and other political appointees in the state.

Senator Okpebholo also approved the dissolution of executives of all boards, agencies and parastatals in Edo State Public Service with immediate effect.

This was contained in a statement signed by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua.

He directed all the affected appointees to handover all government property in their possession to the most senior public officers in their respective ministries, departments and agencies.

Okpebholo, was sworn in on Tuesday, having won the September 21 governorship election in the state.

Senator Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress had defeated the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Asue Ighodalo and that of the Labour Party, Asue Ighodalo and that of the Labour Party, Barr. Olumide Akpata, in the election.

Monday Okpebholo has been sworn in as the governor of Edo State, marking an end to the eight years administration of Godwin Obaseki in the South-South state.

The inauguration ceremony took place on Tuesday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, the state capital.

This is coming two months after the All Progressives Congress, APC, clinched the ticket to the Dennis Osadebay House.

Okpebholo took his oath of office alongside his running mate, Dennis Idahosa.

More to follow…