The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Monday commissioned 54 units of construction equipment procured by the Edo State Government for distribution to the 18 local government councils in the state.
The commissioning ceremony, held in Benin City, marked what officials described as a major step toward strengthening grassroots development and improving service delivery at the local level.
Speaking at the event, Wike commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for prioritising rural development and equipping local councils with the necessary tools for practical governance.
He described the initiative as a bold move aimed at deepening economic growth from the grassroots, noting that meaningful development must begin within local communities.
According to him, the procurement aligns with the broader national development vision and reinforces public confidence in governance.
Wike, while making political references, emphasised that leadership should be measured by visible and tangible projects rather than populist rhetoric, stressing that infrastructure delivery remains a key benchmark for performance.
In his remarks, Governor Okpebholo described the distribution of the equipment as a strategic intervention designed to strengthen local government administration and accelerate development across communities.
“Today marks a significant step in our commitment to grassroots development in Edo State in line with our SHINE Agenda,” the governor said, adding that development should not be centralised but extended to all parts of the state.
Also speaking, the senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole, said effective governance requires leaders to stay connected to the people and protect their interests through decisive action.
He noted that the procurement of the equipment signalled a new direction for local government development in the state, adding that the governor was reshaping the development narrative across key sectors of the economy.
Responding on behalf of the benefiting council chairmen, the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria in Edo State and Chairman of Etsako East Local Government Area, Sunny Ekpeson, described the initiative as a demonstration of practical governance and a reflection of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
