The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Monday said Governor Monday Okpebholo has laid a foundation for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.
Wike spoke in Benin while commissioning 54 construction equipment procured by the Edo State Government for the 18 local government councils in the state.
The former Rivers State governor described the initiative as a major boost to grassroots economic development and commended the governor’s commitment to rural development and economic empowerment.
He said, “You have demonstrated that you love the economy of the local government. You have demonstrated that development must go to the rural areas. You have laid the foundation for Mr President to be re-elected.
“Let me tell you, as the other opponent was busy deceiving people buying corn on the road, Mr President was busy developing the FCT. FCT has 62 councillors, APC took 45, PDP took 17. This shows the ruling party from the opposition party.”
In his address, Okpebholo described the handover of the equipment as a strategic step toward strengthening local government administration and delivering development to rural communities.
The governor said, “Today marks a significant step in our commitment to grassroots development in Edo State in line with our SHINE Agenda.”
He stressed that development must not be centralised but should extend to local government areas.
“Development must not be concentrated at the centre; it must reach every village, every community and every ward. Our local governments must have the capacity to deliver practical governance for the Edo people.”
“These machines are tools of transformation. They are meant to open rural roads, improve drainage, support sanitation, and accelerate local infrastructure delivery. They are not for show. They are not for storage. They are for work.”
He added that the equipment belongs to the people of Edo State and must be deployed transparently and maintained properly for public use.
Speaking on behalf of the council chairmen, the ALGON Chairman and Chairman of Etsako East Local Government Area, Sunny Ekpeson, described the commissioning as a celebration of practical governance and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He said, “We are here to take the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President to the grassroots. Governance stopped during the time of Adams Oshiomhole, and it has resumed again now during the time of Monday Okpebholo.”
