The Edo State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon. Paul Ohonbamu, has outlined the administration’s ambitious agenda to transform the state into what he described as a “portable paradise,” marked by security, modern infrastructure, and educational advancement.
Speaking during a press briefing at the ministry’s headquarters in Benin City, Ohonbamu emphasised that the government of Governor Monday Okpebholo is resolute in restoring order and justice across the state.
He declared that cult-related activities would be aggressively tackled, with perpetrators and their enablers facing the full weight of the law.
According to the Commissioner, this firm stance justifies the demolition of buildings where crimes are committed, as part of efforts to eliminate criminal hideouts.
Ohonbamu urged landlords to monitor their tenants closely and avoid harbouring individuals involved in cultism or any form of criminality. He warned that property owners found complicit in such activities would also face sanctions.
He also addressed parents, encouraging them to instil moral discipline in their children.
He clarified that no home was demolished without credible evidence of criminal activity or direct confessions by those involved.
Parents who ignore warning signs or fail to correct delinquent behaviour in their children, he said, could be seen as accomplices to crime.
On the broader security front, the Commissioner revealed that the state government has intensified its fight against crimes such as cultism, ritual killings, herdsmen attacks, and the illegal possession of firearms.
Security operations have been bolstered through increased funding, deployment of Hilux vehicles and power bikes for patrol and bush combing operations.
He noted that more than 5,000 illegal weapons had already been recovered within the administration’s first six months.
In terms of infrastructure, Hon. Ohonbamu stated that Governor Okpebholo is determined to elevate Edo from its current state to a model of urban excellence through strategic development projects.
He mentioned the construction of an overhead bridge at the Aduwawa axis to ease traffic congestion and attract investors.
Additional flyover projects are also planned for the Oloku and Sapele Road areas, alongside ongoing road construction efforts aimed at improving the quality of life for residents.
On education, he reported that the state government had significantly increased funding for Ambrose Alli University in Ekpoma, raising its monthly subvention from N41 million to N500 million.
This boost, he said, has enabled the accreditation of previously unaccredited courses and the long-delayed induction of medical graduates. These developments reflect the administration’s commitment to placing education at the forefront of its agenda.
Ohonbamu added that the Okpebholo administration remains deeply responsive to the needs of the people and will continue to pursue policies that promote progress, stability, and prosperity for all Edo citizens.
