Okpebholo Tackles Edo’s Development Challenges with “Practical Governance,” Says Commissioner

From Chris Akhabue, Edo 

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has adopted a “practical governance” approach aimed at addressing the state’s development challenges, with tangible progress recorded over the past eighteen months in office.

This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, during a press conference in Benin City. Afegbua said the governor has been “relentless” in confronting governance challenges with “equanimity of purpose,” noting that the administration has moved decisively to reverse what he described as the “rot inherited” from previous governments through verifiable projects across the state.

“Governor Okpebholo has confronted developmental challenges in a manner that provides solutions to nagging underdevelopment, infrastructural decay, crippled social infrastructure, and poor healthcare facilities,” he said.

“In the last eighteen months, we can beat our chest that the governor has done so much to advance critical infrastructure in the state. We are not into propaganda—you are all journalists and media practitioners in the state, and you can see for yourselves,” Afegbua added.

Highlighting ongoing infrastructure projects, the commissioner disclosed that construction of the Ramat Park flyover is nearing completion, while work has commenced on the Adesuwa Junction flyover along Sapele Road. He also noted that the government is rehabilitating the previously dilapidated Sapele Road, which he said had been abandoned by the past administration.

“Very soon, we will complete the flyover at Ramat Park. We have also commenced work at Adesuwa Junction by Sapele Road, and we are recovering the very bad state of Sapele Road, which was previously abandoned,” he stated.

Afegbua further emphasized that the administration is intervening in road construction across the state, including the Ekenwan–Gelegele Road, urging journalists to “visit and verify the quality of work being done.” He acknowledged the challenges posed by the early onset of rains, noting that while the government had planned to maximize the dry season for infrastructure delivery, the rains have not deterred progress.

“The timing we expected to advance these projects due to the dry season is being affected by rainfall, but that is not deterring the government,” he said.

Providing updates on other projects, Afegbua disclosed that roads linking 14 communities in Uhunwonde Local Government Area are nearing completion, while the Ekpoma–Uromi road is about “95 per cent completed.” He added that asphalt work has commenced on the Ibillo Road and the Ikpeshi–Igarra Road in Edo North.

In the social sector, the commissioner revealed that about 80 schools are nearing completion, while “160 primary healthcare centres” have been constructed across the state to improve access to healthcare, particularly in rural communities. He also stated that 650 teachers have been employed, alongside the recruitment of over 1,000 health workers into the state civil service to strengthen service delivery.

On healthcare infrastructure, Afegbua noted that work has resumed at the Stella Obasanjo Hospital following the settlement of outstanding debts, while the Oredo Health Centre along Sapele Road has been upgraded and equipped to serve broader public health needs.

He therefore appealed to residents to fulfill their tax obligations to enable the government sustain development efforts, while also urging journalists to independently verify government claims.

“We encourage Edo people to support the government by meeting their tax responsibilities so that more can be done. We also urge the media to verify these projects to authenticate our position,” Afegbua said.