Edo state governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms with strengthening the financial capacity of state governments to execute development projects across the country.
Okpebholo stated this at the weekend in London, United Kingdom, during a diaspora engagement with Edo indigenes themed, “Shine Beyond Borders,”.
The governor also presented the scorecard of his administration and appealed to Edo professionals, entrepreneurs and investors abroad to return home and contribute to the state’s development.
The governor said the removal of fuel subsidy and other economic reforms of the Tinubu administration had improved the finances of states, giving them greater capacity to pay salaries and execute infrastructure projects.
He emphasised, “the era of governors queuing up for bailouts in Abuja before they could pay workers’ salaries is over. Today, states have more money not only for salaries but enough to undertake infrastructural development as can be witnessed in Edo State in recent times.”
He said the transformation being witnessed in Edo was evidence that the Federal Government’s economic policies were translating into tangible development at the sub-national level.
Okpebholo listed the Ramat Park Flyover in Benin City, reconstruction of the Ekpoma-Auchi section of the Benin-Okene Highway with concrete pavement and the extension of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway through Edo state among projects demonstrating the impact of the reforms.
The governor also highlighted the administration’s efforts to strengthen security, including the establishment of an Army Forward Operational Base, siting of the MOPOL 82 Squadron, recruitment of 500 Forest Guards and approval for a new Army Division in the State.
He said his administration’s SHINE Agenda was recording progress in infrastructure, security, healthcare, education and economic development, noting that the achievements were positioning Edo as a more attractive destination for investment.
The governor called on Edo indigenes in the diaspora to deploy their expertise, technology, global networks and financial resources toward accelerating development in the State.
