Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, on Saturday commissioned the reconstructed Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) Complex in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area.
The facility was destroyed by fire on January 11, prompting the governor’s earlier visit to assess the damage, where he pledged to rebuild the complex and assist affected traders.
Speaking during the commissioning, Okpebholo announced a donation of N200 million to support shop owners who lost goods in the fire incident, which razed more than 25 shops at the POWA market in Ekpoma.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Ebojele, the governor said, “We all remember this market, about three or four months ago, there was a fire incident here. We came here to inspect the level of damage and commiserate with the victims, promising to help rebuild the market.
“Today, we are experiencing a fulfilled promise. This is the building you are seeing now, and it is good when you promise and you keep to that promise.
“You remember also that we promised that we are going to help traders come back, so we will have the names of the affected traders, and we will release N200 million to support them and ensure they recover”.
It will be recalled that the governor visited the scene in January 2026 and assured victims of the government’s commitment to rebuilding the shops. The fire incident affected POWA shops within the Ekpoma Police Division, destroying goods valued at millions of naira.
