The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has directed the 18 local government council chairmen in the state to submit their statements of accounts within 48 hours.
Okpebholo gave the order on Tuesday during a meeting at the Government House, Benin City, with the chairmen led by the state chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Newman Ugiagbe.
The governor was represented by his Deputy, Dennis Idahosa.
He urged the council chairmen to promptly submit their financial records from September 4, 2023, to date.
According to him, the documents are to be delivered to the Assets Verification Committee through the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
In a statement issued by Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Okpebholo expressed his administration’s commitment to fostering collaboration for the betterment of Edo State.
“I have listened keenly to the ALGON Chairman. The Governor is committed to transparency and accountability. This is why the Assets Verification Committee was constituted. To ensure its effectiveness, the council chairmen must submit their statements of accounts within the next 48 hours through the SSG’s office,” the deputy governor said.
He further added that, “The Governor would want you to submit your statement of accounts from 4th of September 2023, to date, to the Assets Verification Committee within the next 48 hours (2 days), as that would help and enable the Committee do its job effectively and efficiently.
“The statement of accounts should be sent through the office of the Secretary to the State Government to the Assets Verification Committee.”
The governor also reassured the council chairmen of the administration’s readiness to work together as a united team, saying, “Election has come and gone. We are one family. The Governor has asked me to assure you of our unity and commitment to better governance.”
Earlier, Newman Ugiagbe, who is also the Chairman of Orhionmwon Local Government Area, pledged the council chairmen’s loyalty to Governor Okpebholo’s administration.
“We are here to congratulate the Governor and Deputy on their mandate and to pledge our loyalty to your administration,” Ugiagbe said.
“We will ensure your policies are effectively implemented at the grassroots level, bringing the dividends of democracy to the people of Edo State,” he added.