Okpebholo orders freezing of state accounts

 PANDEF charges gov to put Edo voters’ interest first

The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has ordered the immediate freezing of all state-owned bank accounts. In a statement released, yesterday, by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the governor indicated that the accounts would remain frozen until further notice.

The governor also warned commercial banks and heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to comply with the order immediately.
The statement noted that Okpebholo cautioned that anyone, including heads of MDAs and civil servants, who ignores the directive would face severe penalties.

The statement reads in part: “All state bank accounts with commercial banks have been frozen. Commercial banks must comply with this order and ensure money is not withdrawn from government coffers until further notice.
  
“Heads of MDAs must ensure full compliance without delay. Following necessary investigations and reconciliations, the governor will take appropriate action and decide how to proceed. For now, this order remains in effect.” 
  
Okpebholo also directed relevant government agencies to revert the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to its original designation, the Ministry of Works, a change implemented during the tenure of former Governor Godwin Obaseki. He ordered immediate compliance, directing that the new name be officially reflected.

MEANWHILE, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has charged the newly sworn-in Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, and his team to always put the interest of the Edo voters at heart.

A statement by the National Publicity Secretary and spokesman of PANDEF, Dr. Obiuwevbi  Ominimini, yesterday,  noted that the leadership of PANDEF, led by the National Chairman, Godknows Igali,  is committed to liaising with all governors of the South-South region towards achieving sustainable and holistic development of the Niger Delta. 

Ominimini said that PANDEF believes that the Governor of Edo State and his deputy, who represented Edo people at the red and green chambers of the National Assembly before being elected to the higher leadership role of the state, will perform creditably. 

“The peaceful and successful inauguration has shown that heaven has a blessing over the leadership in Edo State at a time when economic recession is facing many nations of the world.”