By Brenda Igwe
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has disclosed that the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, disbursed over N83 billion to the state’s 18 Local Government Councils as monthly allocations within the past year.
Speaking in Benin City during a courtesy visit by the Acting Chairman of Akoko-Edo Local Government, Hon. Alabi Bliss Oshionogue, alongside councillors and party leaders, Governor Okpebholo commended President Tinubu’s administration for significantly increasing local government allocations to promote grassroots development.
According to the Governor, the monthly allocations to Edo Local Government Areas rose from N3.5 billion during previous administrations to N6.5 billion between January and September 2024 and further to over N8 billion from October to December 2024.
“This administration has ensured that local governments receive the necessary funding to drive grassroots development. Since the presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo to Muhammadu Buhari, none dared to remove fuel subsidy, but President Tinubu took the bold step, and today, we are reaping the dividends,” Okpebholo stated.
However, the Governor lamented the mismanagement of these funds by some local government chairmen. He revealed that despite receiving substantial allocations, the council chairmen failed to deliver tangible development in their areas.
“These chairmen have been in office for one year but have nothing to show for it. While other states are utilizing their resources for the people, our chairmen boldly withdrew N800 million monthly from local government accounts, leaving schools and infrastructure to deteriorate,” he said.
Governor Okpebholo vowed to address the situation, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to ensuring that funds allocated to local governments translate into meaningful development at the grassroots.
Acting Chairman Hon. Alabi Bliss Oshionogue expressed gratitude to the Governor for his dedication to grassroots development, pledging to align with the state government’s vision to bring dividends of democracy to the people.
Other Akoko-Edo leaders, including Rt. Hon. Kabiru Ajoto and APC Chairman Hon. Monday Ose, also lauded the Governor for his developmental strides, particularly ongoing construction projects like the Auchi-Ibilo road. They urged the administration to continue prioritizing grassroots development.
Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed his commitment to correcting past wrongs, ensuring that Edo State achieves sustainable development, and collaborating with stakeholders to make the state a model for progress in Nigeria.