The governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has given the 18 local government area chairmen in the state 48 hours to turn in their statements of account. At a meeting with the council chairmen at Government House in Benin City on Tuesday, the governor gave the order.
The governor emphasized the importance of accountability and openness in governance while being represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa.
The statement of accounts shall cover the period from September 4, 2023, to date and be presented to the Assets Verification Committee through the office of the Secretary to the State Government, according to a statement made by Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.
According to the statement, the governor resolved to foster collaboration with the council bosses for the state’s progress.
“I have listened to you keenly. 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 was quoted as saying.
“Mr. Governor is committed to transparency and accountability in this government. To aid the work of the Assets Verification Committee, the governor would want you to submit your statement of accounts from September 4, 2023, to date, within the next 48 hours. This will enable the committee to perform its duties effectively and efficiently.
“The statement of accounts should be submitted through the office of the Secretary to the State Government to the Assets Verification Committee. The governor thanks you for your time.”
The council leaders had previously paid the governor a courtesy call, escorted by Newman Ugiagbe, the chairman of the Orhionmwon Local Government Area and the chairman of the Edo State Chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria.
Ugiagbe conveyed the chairmen’s dedication to Okpebholo’s government, promising to back his policies and initiatives in order to provide democracy’s benefits to the people.
He said, “We are here to congratulate the governor and the deputy on the mandate the Edo people gave them. We also pledge our loyalty to your administration.
“Our doors are open to your instructions, policies, and programmes. We are ready to bring these policies to the grassroots to enable our people to benefit from the dividends of democracy, and we will work to ensure your administration succeeds.”
