Edo raises traditional rulers’ subvention to N1.3 billion

Senator commends state govt

Edo State Government, yesterday, said the sum of N1.3 billion is currently being disbursed to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) and monarchs in the state.

Addressing journalists in Benin City, to clarify the misconception about the subvention, Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, and his Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs counterpart, Monday Osaigbovo, said the subvention has been shored up, and not reduced as being peddled by mischief makers.

Nehikhare added that N63.9 million was reserved for any emergency in the councils.

He, however, reaffirmed the state government’s stance that the Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II, remains the incontestable head of all traditional rulers and chiefs in the state.

The Commissioner, however, dispelled the rumour making the rounds that the state government has reduced, as well as withheld the monthly subvention to the Benin monarch, noting that the rumour is falsely and handiwork of mischief makers.

According to him, as a result of disagreement among some traditional rulers in the state, they agreed with the state government to temporarily warehouse the fund in a central pool until the administrative issues are addressed.

Nehikhare stated that this was done between April and July 2023, as well as July 2022 to July 2023.

He said: “The Oba of Benin’s position, as the permanent head of all traditional rulers in Edo, remains sacrosanct in the state government’s implementation of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edict of 1979, especially as it relates to Section 45 of the edict.

“Recently, in the wake of some disagreement among some traditional rulers in the state, they agreed with the state government to temporarily warehouse the fund in a central pool until the administrative issues were addressed. This was between April 2023 and July 2023.

“It is important to state that, against the false information that the fund was withheld from July 2022 to July 2023, all statutory payments were paid until April 2023, when it was agreed for the funds to be warehoused for the resolution of outstanding issues.

“These administrative issues have now been resolved by the state government and the palace delegation, led by the Iyase of Benin, Chief Sam Igbe.

“The pool of funds is now being disbursed to various traditional rulers across the state, as well as the BTC.”

MEANWHILE, former Senator representing Edo South Senatorial District, Roland Owie, has commended the state government for the implementation of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edict of 1979, especially as it relates to Section 45 of the edict, which recognised the Oba of Benin’s position as the permanent head of all the traditional rulers in the State.

In a statement, Owie said the implementation of the law will allow the traditional rulers in the Benin Kingdom to support the state government’s efforts in improving the lives of their subjects and communities.