From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has requested the 18 local government council chairmen to submit their statement of accounts within 48 hours.
The governor, who asked the council chairmen to submit the statements to the Assets Verification Committee through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) said the statement of accounts should be effective from September 4, 2023 till date.
Governor Okpebholo said he would work closely with the chairmen from the 18 LGAs for a better state at a meeting with the council bosses at the Government House, Benin City, where he was represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa.
“I have listened to you keenly, the ALGON chairman. 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 has also asked me to tell you that we will work closely together. I guess you are aware that a few weeks ago, the Assets Verification Committee was constituted.
“Mr. Governor is committed to transparency and accountability in this Government and that Committee would not have the resources to go across the 18 Local Government Areas of Edo State.”
Earlier, the state ALGON chairman and Chairman of Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Newman Ugiagbe, who led the delegation on a visit pledged loyalty to Governor Okpebholo and promised to collaborate with him to ensure that the administration succeeds.
“We are here to congratulate the Governor and the Deputy on the mandate Edo people gave them and here to pledge our loyalty to your administration.
“Our doors are open to your instructions, policies and programmes, as we are ready to bring your policies down to the grassroots to enable our people to benefit from the dividends of democracy as we will work to ensure your administration succeeds”, he assured.