The newly sworn in Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has ordered commercial banks to freeze all state-owned bank accounts with immediate effect pending the conclusion of an investigation into the use of public funds in the state.
This directive was issued via a statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua.
Via the statement, the state government ordered all commercial banks involved to comply with the latest order as defaulters will be dealt with.
Itua noted that nobody is allowed to withdraw money from the bank accounts.
The government added that after necessary investigations and reconciliations it would decide on the next line of action.
The statement reads: “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 delays.
“After the necessary investigations and reconciliations, the Governor will do the needful and decide on the way forward. For now, this order stands.
Governor Okpebholo also ordered the reversal of the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to its original title, the Ministry of Works.
He criticized Godwin Obaseki’s administration for changing the name of the ministry and failing to live up to its expectations.
He berated his predecessor, saying, “It is odd to name a government institution the Ministry of Roads and Bridges, especially when not a single bridge was built by the previous administration — not even a pedestrian bridge.
It is therefore absurd to maintain such a name.”
The governor revealed his intentions to review some policies of the past government saying, “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.”
Investors King reported that on Tuesday, November 12, Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was officially sworn in as the 6th Civilian Governor of Edo State amid controversy between the new governor and his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki.