The Edo State Government has attributed the simultaneous execution of several large-scale infrastructure projects across the state to prudent financial management and deliberate planning under the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
The Commissioner for Finance, Emmanuel Okoebor, stated this on Sunday while responding to questions from journalists on how the state has been able to fund multiple projects across critical sectors.
According to Okoebor, the scale of ongoing projects is not accidental but the outcome of careful coordination, fiscal discipline, and clearly defined priorities.
His words, “It is a fair question, and it deserves a clear and factual response. When a government appears to be executing many projects at the same time, it is often assumed to be extraordinary. In reality, it reflects deliberate planning, prudent management of available resources, coordination across ministries, and a clear set of priorities,” he said.
Okoebor explained that the governor’s approach to governance is shaped by the state of infrastructure inherited by the administration, noting that years of neglect left many communities with dilapidated roads, overstretched health facilities, and limited access to basic services.
He said the administration’s guiding philosophy of “letting Edo money build Edo” was adopted to address these challenges, especially in response to what he described as significant capital flight under previous administrations.
“The emphasis has been on retaining resources within the state and ensuring they are converted into tangible public value that directly benefits Edo people,” he added.
The commissioner noted that the government’s infrastructural focus is aimed at opening up communities and removing long-standing bottlenecks that restrict movement, access, and economic activity. As a result, priority has been given to the construction and rehabilitation of roads and drainages linking markets, farms, schools, and healthcare facilities.
He added that the administration has also intervened on federal roads heavily used by Edo residents, alongside the construction of flyovers and junction improvements to ease congestion and reduce persistent traffic gridlock in urban centres.
In the education sector, Okoebor said investments are being directed at strengthening foundational infrastructure, particularly at the basic and vocational levels, to improve learning environments and expand access. In healthcare, he noted that emphasis has been placed on upgrading primary healthcare centres and supporting training institutions to improve service delivery and build a sustainable health workforce.
He explained that the projects are being executed through phased implementation, strict cost controls, and careful cash-flow management, allowing multiple sectors to advance simultaneously without placing undue pressure on public finances.
Okoebor also said the administration’s adoption of concrete pavement technology for some road projects reflects its commitment to long-term value, noting that while it requires more upfront planning, it offers greater durability and lower maintenance costs over time.
“Ultimately, the objective is not visibility for its own sake, but functionality and sustainability. Roads must reduce travel time, flyovers must ease congestion, schools must support learning, and health facilities must deliver care. These outcomes, driven by prudent resource management, are the true measure of meaningful development,” he said.
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