19/02/2025
Okpebholo: So much in so little time of the “quiet” and “noiseless” achiever
A 21-gun salute to His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, in honor of his achievements during his first 100 days in office.
Security Achievements
1. Declaration of war on various cult groups, leading to a drastic reduction in cult-related killings in Edo State.
2. Deployment of a Special Tactical Team to Agenebode, resulting in the timely rescue of kidnapped victims and the dislodging of kidnappers and other criminal gangs in the area.
3. Rescue of kidnapped victims and crackdown on kidnappers and criminal gangs in Uromi and its environs.
4. Passage of a new Cultism Prohibition Law with severe penalties for cultists and their sponsors.
5. Procurement of several brand-new Toyota Hilux vehicles for various security agencies in Edo State to enhance security operations.
6. Procurement of 1,000 high-performance motorcycles for security operations, bush combing, and tactical pursuit of kidnappers and other criminals.
7. Constitution of the Public Safety Response Team to assist security agencies in enforcing public safety measures and maintaining public order.
8. Reconstitution of the Edo State Security Corps, revalidation of members, and an illegal arms mop-up operation, leading to the recovery of over 5,000 illegal fi****ms.
Healthcare Achievements
9. Facilitation of the smooth take-off of the National Obstetrics Fistula Centre in Edo State (the first and only one in the South-South geopolitical zone) through the donation of 25 hectares of land (with a Certificate of Occupancy) to the Federal Government. This was achieved within seven days of Senator Monday Okpebholo’s administration, a feat that the Federal Ministry of Health could not accomplish in almost two years.
10. Flag-off of the IsDB LLF Support to the Malaria Elimination Project in Edo State and the launch of free malaria testing and treatment in all government hospitals in the state for the next two years.
11. Onboarding of 300 vulnerable persons across the state into the State Equity Plan of the Edo State Health Insurance Commission.
12. Digitalization of statewide health insurance data transmission.
13. Successful launch of the Edo State Health Insurance Commission Customer Service/Support Policy.
14. Upgrade of state-owned health facilities to enhance service delivery.
15. Completion of the Oredo Primary Healthcare Centre.
16. Procurement of a transformer and air conditioners for the Edo Specialist Hospital.
17. Distribution of 220 laptops and tablets to 220 Primary Healthcare Centers for improved data management.
18. Procurement of a bus and a Hilux vehicle for Primary Healthcare Program Monitoring.
Infrastructure Development
19. Award of contract and commencement of construction of a flyover bridge at Ramat Park, Benin City.
20. Procurement of payloaders, trucks, and compressors for the Edo State Waste Management Agency to enhance their operations.
21. Passage and implementation of the Edo State Electricity Regulatory Commission Law, which empowers the state to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity.
22. Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NNPC Limited and other investors to build a $300 million Condensate Refinery in Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State.
23. Award of contract and ongoing construction of the Ekiuwa-University of Benin (UNIBEN) Road, off Upper Mission Road (Temboga Road Extension), Benin City.
24. Award of contract and ongoing construction of Palace Road, off Upper Mission Road, Benin City.
25. Award of contract and construction of University Road, off Usugbenu Road in Esan Central Local Government Area (Completed).
26. Award of contract and commencement of construction on the Ikpoba-Hill–Uwasota–Ugbowo Road in Benin City.
Infrastructure Development
27. Construction of Irrua-Akho-Illeh-Ukhun Road in Esan Central and Esan West Local Government Areas.
28. Construction of Irrua-Illeh-Usenu-Ukhun Road in Esan West Local Government Area.
29. Approved the upgrade of Edo State’s Network Infrastructure from 1 Gigabit to a 10 Gigabit Fibre Network supporting services like video conferencing, large file sharing, and VoIP calls for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
30. Ongoing construction of Ikiran-Oke-Ikekumoh Road in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.
31. Approved the procurement of contract for the construction of Ohe-Uzea Road in Esan North East Local Government Area.
32. Partnering with Cisco Networking Academy and others to train and equip the Information Communication Technology Agency Network Staff to efficiently control and independently manage the 10 Gigabit Fibre Network across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
33. Procurement of contract for the construction of Prince Harrison Street, Ileh in Esan Central Local Government Area.
34. Construction of Town Halls in Ohanmi, Owan East Local Government Area, and 20 other Communities across the 3 Senatorial Districts of Edo State using the CSDA platform.
35. Approved the procurement of contract for the reconstruction of Boundary Road, off Ogba Road, Benin City.
36. Provision of All-in-One Solar Streetlights in Iyekogba and 30 other Communities across the 3 Senatorial Districts of Edo State using the CSDA platform.
37. Approved the procurement of contract for the construction of Okhunmwun Road in Ovia North East Local Government Area.
38. Approved the procurement of contract for the construction of 1.5 km Utako-Idumu-Aligbe Road, and 0.8 km of the same in Esan Central Local Government Area.
39. Provision of 500 KVA Transformer for rural electrification in Uwessan, Esan Central Local Government Area and 2 other communities across the state.
40. Procurement of contract for the construction of Markets and locally sourced projects in Esan Central and other selected locations in the 3 Senatorial Districts using the CSDA platform.
41. Establishment of a Police Post at Ego, Esan Central Local Government Area using the CSDA platform.
42. Installation of four (4) Court of Appeal buildings and Judges’ Quarters in Edo State.
Agriculture & Natural Resources
43. Ban of Market Unions that arbitrarily fix exorbitant prices for goods and food items, leading to a drastic reduction in food prices across the state.
44. Upgrade of Information and Communication Technology and other infrastructure at the state-owned Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS).
45. Signing of the Executive Order on the 31st of December, 2024 by Senator Monday Okpebholo for the Establishment, Adoption, and Implementation of the Principles of Framework for responsible and inclusive land-intensive agricultural investments.
46. Procurement of Two units of 150KVA Perkins Generators for EBS.
47. Procurement of high-end digital equipment such as high-performance Macs, Broadcasting and Streaming Software, Professional Quadcopter Drone with 4K UHD Video Camera, and 10kVA Generators.
48. Approval for the establishment of the State Road Fund (SRF) and Rural Access Road Agency (RARA), requirements under the FRILIA RAAMP program, qualifying Edo State to access the $500 million World Bank grant for Rural Agricultural Development.
Agriculture and Food Security
59. Increased the Budget of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security from N5.9 billion in 2024 to over N70 billion, marking an 86% increase.
60. Distribution of 8,188 bags of fertilizer to 4,094 farmers.
61. Facilitated the raising of 34,576 cocoa seedlings in collaboration with Bass Cocoa Farms.
62. Facilitated the building of a Model Facility Veterinary Hospital.
63. The Governor approved the sum of N1.797 billion to empower 1,797 farmers in the state under the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in the Niger Delta (LIFE ND Project). The remaining eight Local Government Areas not captured by the project were also covered with the approved funds.
Education
64. Increase in the monthly subvention to Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma from N41 million to N500 million, an increase of over 119.5%.
65. Restoration of illegally disengaged staff at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.
66. Recruitment of qualified academic and non-academic staff for Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.
67. Ongoing recruitment of 500 teachers for basic and post-basic schools in Edo State.
68. Construction and furnishing of Eweka Primary School in Benin City.
69. Construction and renovation of New Era College, Benin City.
70. Construction and renovation of Ebomisi Secondary School, Ebomisi.
71. Construction and renovation of Leh Primary School, Esan West.
72. Construction and renovation of Irrua Girls Grammar School, Irrua.
73. Construction and renovation of Udomi Primary School, Uwessan.
74. Commenced the revamping of all Technical Colleges in the state.
75. Accreditation of three (3) programs at the Edo State Polytechnic, Usen:
• HND Business Administration
• HND Estate Management
• ND Mineral and Petroleum Resources
76. Appointment and inauguration of a governing council for Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.
77. Long-standing delay in the induction of 128 graduates from the College of Medicine.
78. Construction, furnishing, and fencing of 3 blocks of classrooms at Ugbubezi Primary School, Sabongida Ora, and other locations in the 3 Senatorial Districts, using the CSDA platform.
Others
79. Restoration of full statutory grants to His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin.
80. Dismantling of the Edo State Commission for Persons with Disabilities.
81. Improved internally generated revenue (IGR) from an average of N8 billion to over N10 billion, marking the first time IGR would hit double digits in the history of Edo State.
82. Appointment of 38 First Class Graduates as part of the Graduate Development Programme.
83. Expansion of the Graduate Development Programme, now re-christened the Public Service Talent Development Programme.
84. Stoppage of exploitation of cleaners by consultants.
85. Employment of over 700 cleaners into the Edo State Public Service on minimum wage.
86. Disengagement of several consultants who were fleecing Edo State funds and had taken over the functions of many public servants. The Governor returned public servants to their duty posts, enhancing career development and advancement.
87. Swearing-in of 3 Judges who were excluded from being sworn in by the Obaseki Administration despite being confirmed by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
88. Launch of an interest-free loan scheme for market women, farmers, artisans, and entrepreneurs across urban and rural areas of the State. Over 5,000 beneficiaries earmarked to receive loans to stabilize businesses and drive economic growth.
89 Edo State Government, in collaboration with the World Bank, disbursed grants to over 400 small and medium business owners, reducing their financial burdens and fostering business resilience.
90. In 100 days, Edojobs recorded 5,102 walk-ins at its job centres across 8 locations, with 317 residents successfully placed in jobs. 559 vacancies sourced and employability outcomes growing by 2,097%.
91. Edo Government, through the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, trained 172 Edo youth in filmmaking via a 3-day workshop, equipping them with storytelling, scriptwriting, content creation, and video editing skills for the creative industry.
92. Edo State Government, through Edo Innovates, partnered with GirLEAD to empower women with entrepreneurial, leadership, and tech skills, bridging the gender gap in STEM.
93. Repositioning of the Bendel Newspaper Corporation (The Nigerian Observer).
94. Take-off of the Edo State Development and Building Control Agency, with the appointment of a pioneer Managing Director.
95. Constitution and inauguration of Boards and Commissions previously not inaugurated by the last administration for 8 years.
96. Payment of the 13th-month salary to Edo State workers.
97. Approved the recruitment of 50 public officers to provide professional services for the Edo State Public Building and Maintenance Agency.
98. Collaborating with ICT experts worldwide to ensure the delivery of professional network and internet services to all MDAs.
99. Equipping ICTA personnel with opportunities to acquire professional certifications from the Cisco Networking Academy, Network Development Group (NDG), Nigerian ICT Forum, and Nigerian Network Operators Group (ngNOG). Enrolled at least 20 ICTA staff on the Cisco Academy platform for training and certification exams.
100. Passage of a law for the extension of the retirement age of Magistrates and Presidents of Area Customary Courts in Edo State.
101. Edo State Government, in collaboration with the Office of Her Excellency, wife of the President, through the Renewed Hope Initiative, empowered 200 elderly persons across the 18 LGAs of the State with a cash grant of Two Hundred Thousand Naira.
102. Edo State Government, in collaboration with the Office of Her Excellency, wife of the President, through the Renewed Hope Initiative, distributed essential food items to the vulnerable and needy within the State.
This is the story of Senator Monday Okpebholo - so much in so little time of the “quiet” and “noiseles achiever.
