All state-owned accounts in commercial banks must be immediately frozen until further notice, according an order from Monday Okpebholo, the governor of Edo State.
According to reports, the Governor also changed the original Ministry of Works to the Ministry of Roads and Bridges.
But in a statement released to reporters in Benin City on Thursday, Fred Itua, the governor’s chief press secretary, cautioned commercial banks and heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to follow the directive right away.
Additionally, Okpebholo issued a warning that anyone who disobeyed the directive would face harsh consequences, including civil servants and MDA chiefs.
He claims that all of the commercial banks’ bank accounts have been frozen. Until further notice, commercial banks must abide by the directive and make sure that no money is taken out of the government’s coffers.
“Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies must comply with this order and ensure full compliance without any further delays.
“After the necessary investigations and reconciliations, the Governor will do the needful and decide on the way forward. For now, this order stands,” he said.
The governor, meantime, pointed out that the Ministry of Roads and Bridges was notoriously conceived under the administration of Godwin Obaseki and changed its name back to the previous Ministry of Works.
The governor went on to say that it is ridiculous to keep such a moniker as the Obaseki administration did not build any bridges or good roads.
As a result, he directed all pertinent government organizations to adopt the new directive and promptly adopt the new name.
“It is funny how you can call a government institution the Ministry of Roads and Bridges. Ironically, not a single bridge was built by the same administration. Not even a pedestrian bridge.
“In the coming days, we will look at more actions taken by the previous administration, and more decisions will be made in the best interest of the state,” he added.
