Edo: Gov Okpebholo  Demands LG’s Statement Of Accounts Within 48 Hours

By Ayodele Oni

The fear and apprehension among Local Government Chairmen in Edo State over their fate in the new administration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been doused as Governor Monday Okpebholo assured them that their job is secured.

Governor Okpebholo promised that he would work closely with the Chairmen from the 18 LGAs for a better State at a meeting with the Council Bosses at the Government House, Benin City.

The Chairmen were elected on the ticket of the People’s Democratic party, (PDP) during the local government election conducted by the immediate past administration.

A statement by Fred Itua, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, stated that Okpebholo, represented by his Deputy, Dennis Idahosa,  however gave the Council Chairmen 48 hours to submit their statements of account.

The Governor, who asked the LG Chairmen to submit the statements to the Assets Verification Committee, through the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), said the statement of accounts should be effective from 4th of September 2023 till date.

“I have listened to you keenly, the ALGON Chairman. The Governor is a leader of all of us. Election has come and gone and we are all one family. The Governor has asked me to assure you that we are one family.

“He has also asked me to tell you that we will work closely together. I guess you are aware that few weeks ago, the Assets Verification Committee was constituted.

“Mr. Governor is committed to transparency and accountability in this Government and that Committee would not have the resources to go across the 18 Local Government Areas of Edo State.

“The Governor would want you to submit your statement of accounts from 4th of September 2023, to date, to the Assets Verification Committee within the next 48 hours, as that would help and enable the Committee do its job effectively and efficiently.

“The statement of accounts should be sent through the office of the Secretary to the State Government to Assets Verification Committee. The Governor thanks you for you time.”

Earlier, Chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Edo State Chapter, and Chairman of Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Newman Ugiagbe, who led the 18 local government chairmen on the courtesy visit, pledged their loyalty to Governor Monday Okpebholo and promised to collaborate with him to ensure that the administration succeeds.

“We are here to congratulate the Governor and the Deputy on the mandate Edo people gave them and here to pledge our loyalty to your administration.

“Our doors are open to your instructions, policies and programmes, as we are ready to bring your policies down to the grassroots to enable our people benefit from the dividends of democracy as we will work to ensure your administration succeeds.”