Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State may require no fewer than three months to commission projects across the state as he prepares to mark his second year in office, observers have said.
Those closely monitoring the administration’s infrastructure drive across the 18 local government areas and the three senatorial districts maintain that the scale of ongoing and completed projects is unprecedented in the state’s recent history.
They argue that Governor Okpebholo is emerging as another “uncommon governor” in Nigeria, suggesting that the sheer volume of projects may compel the government to dedicate as much as three months solely for commissioning activities. Alternatively, the administration may opt to inaugurate only the most ambitious and strategic projects.
Mr. John Mayaki, promoter of the initiative titled “Edo: Nigeria’s Construction Site”, who has been touring project locations across the state, said the government may need to allocate up to three months for commissioning ceremonies as part of activities marking the governor’s second anniversary.
His words, “Given the scale of work across the state, the government may either commission projects in phases or select major flagship ones for inauguration,” Mayaki stated.
He further noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu cannot but prepare to honour the Governor with his presence to commission some of the landmark projects.
According to Mayaki, “I have no doubt that several prominent Nigerians including the President, Governors among others would be interested in visiting Edo State to inaugurate key projects,” he added.
Comparing the pace of development with infrastructure-driven administrations in Nigeria, Mayaki said Okpebholo’s approach mirrors that of former governors known for aggressive project execution, including Senator Godswill Akpabio in Akwa Ibom, former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Alex Otti.
According to him, the number of projects is so extensive that commissioning them all at once would be impractical.
“The governor may have to inaugurate them in phases because to commission everything in one fell swoop could take over three months,” he said.
He described Okpebholo as an exemplar in infrastructural development, adding that the governor has earned recognition within just one year and two months in office.
