Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has issued an order to freeze all state-owned bank accounts effective immediately, mandating compliance by commercial banks and state ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) without delay. The directive was announced in a statement on Thursday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua.

Governor Okpebholo warned that any violation of the order by MDA heads or civil servants would result in strict penalties. “All state bank accounts in commercial banks are to remain frozen, with no funds to be withdrawn until further notice,” the statement read. “This freeze will hold while necessary investigations and reconciliations are carried out, after which the governor will make decisions on the next steps.”

In a related move, Okpebholo also ordered that the Ministry of Roads and Bridges be renamed the Ministry of Works, reversing a decision made during former Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration. Okpebholo cited the lack of road and bridge projects under the previous administration as a reason for the rebranding. “It is ironic to maintain the name Ministry of Roads and Bridges when no bridges were constructed, not even a pedestrian bridge,” the governor stated.

The governor’s office indicated that further review of previous administration actions is underway, with more decisions expected to be announced in the interest of Edo State.