By John Mayaki
In just 60 days in office, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has not only delivered measurable progress but also silenced naysayers, including skeptics like myself, proving that good governance can wear human strings – to heal, to build, to shape the plan. His brief time in office has been defined by relentless activities, tangible achievements, and a commitment to addressing the pressing challenges in the state.
While the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) remains engrossed in the election petition tribunal, attempting a goose-chase; an endless plight, Governor Okpebholo has refused to be distracted. He has simply remained focused, while hitting the ground running, delivering on his promises.
Of course, it has been an interesting journey so far, and not without significant milestones. These achievements have not only made headlines but also positively impacted the lives of our people both directly and indirectly.
In terms of road infrastructure, the governor has taken steps to address the deplorable state of roads across the state and some of them include: the repairs of critical portions of the Benin-Auchi road near Obadan junction, easing the commute for thousands of motorists – the roads once rough, now find their soothe.
There is also the ongoing repairs on the Benin-Abuja road in Ekpoma, a stretch that had become a nightmare for travelers and residents around the communities. The near completion of the Upper Ekenwan road, a project that had been abandoned by the previous administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki.
In addition, construction work has resumed on the Aduwawa-Upper Mission junction, a key artery of the city. The governor is also working on Temboga-Uteh road.
In the area of healthcare, governor Okpebholo has commenced the construction of a modern health center in Udomi, Irua, to improve access to quality healthcare. He has proved this by allocating the sum of N63.9 billion in the 2025 budget for healthcare development and also complimenting that with the sum of N1.8 billion health insurance scheme that would provide affordable healthcare for Edo citizens.
As for education, the governor has announced a significant increment in subvention to Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, to stabilize the institution and its academic activities. He has moved to resolving the plight of medical students at the University, specifically the 2015 set, whose induction has been delayed. The governor has also renamed Edo State University, Uzairue to Edo State University, Iyamho, it’s original name, which is highly commendable.
For economic reforms, the governor who showed readiness to support economic growth and empower small businesses, immediately upon assumption of office, suspended market unions and associations, accused of oppressive practices that drove up the prices of goods, thereby stabilizing market prices and improving fairness for traders and consumers – the multiplier effects of this policy alone has increased the purchasing power of citizens – and so, with unions curbed, and fairness spread, the price of living sees hope ahead.
As if that’s not enough, this leader who works, not merely rules – went ahead to announce an initiative to offer interest-free loans to traders, starting from this month; January 2025. At least, this would boost local businesses and empower women and youth entrepreneurs.
Decisive measures in addressing the critical issues of insecurity has been implemented within this period under review. The purchase of over 70 Hilux patrol vans for security agencies, and equipping them to effectively combat insecurity.
Before his inauguration, he inherited cult-related killings and other criminal activities but governor Okpebholo has put a stop to all those by promoting inter-agency collaboration and engaging local communities. It is on record that residents have been commending the governor for a hitch-free Yuletide celebration especially in terms of criminal activities.
One measure that the governor took within this period that resonated with residents was in the area of traditional institution. He restored the statutory rights of the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, reversing policies of the previous administration that undermine the Oba’s authority.
The governor went ahead to give teeth to the federal government’s gezette, which affirmed the ownership rights of repatriated artefacts by the Oba’s palace. He also reversed the revocation of the concession of the Oba Akenzua II cultural centre, just to make sure that it remains a cultural heritage site and not a motor park.
And for those whose lands were illegally seized, hope is here; the governor has declared that such lands would be returned to their rightful owners upon proof of ownership, just to make sure that the injustice meted to to these category of people was addressed.
Within the period under review, the governor granted automatic employment to Ms. Flourish Evbuomwan, the daughter of the late Kaduna Eboigbodin, who was a respected labour leader and civil activist.
One area Edo people have been commending the governor is in his 2025 budget priorities. The governor who allocated about 63% of the N604 billion budget to capital expenditure, also made sure that road development attracted the highest with the sum of N162 billion. This was followed by agriculture, N75 billion; health had N63.9 billion while education had N48 billion, in that order. This shows the governor’s priorities for infrastructural development, agriculture and food security, health and education.
So, in just 60 days, Governor Okpebholo has shown that the divine mandate entrusted on him was worth it. He has also shown that governance is about action, and not in mere words. He is determined to make a lasting impact on the critical sectors of our society.
All these, just in 60 days in office but his opponents are just too distracted by their goose chase at the tribunal to notice. Maybe when they are done achieving nothing, they will find the roads smoother, the hospitals better, and the people happier – all thanks to the man we all doubted. But let’s keep an eye on this same man, seems like we got a doer in charge.