Edo Gov Recruits 1,000 Civil Servants, 3,000 Appointments

Edo Gov Recruits 1,000 Civil Servants, 3,000 Appointments

Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin 

Edo State government has asserted that the government had recruited over 1,000 civil servants and made more than 3,000 appointments across ministries, departments and agencies, while also restoring long-delayed promotions in the civil service in the state.

Making this know to the public, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, stated this during a media briefing in Benin, where he highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects, civil service reforms, security interventions and investment drives across the state.

He also distanced itself from alleged threats against opposition figures by an aide to Gov. Monday Okpebholo, Emmanuel Egogo.

Alertnews reported that Egogo, a Senior Special Assistant and self acclaimed hypeman to the governor, was captured in a video now viral on social media addressing the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Monday Agbonika.

In the video, he alleged that members of the opposition, including Peter Obi, would be arrested and handed over to the commissioner for onward transfer to Abuja.

Afegbua said the government would not tolerate political intimidation, thuggery or any form of suppression of opposition voices.

He stressed that controversial remarks credited to “Egogo” did not represent the position of the administration.

According to him, “We want to disown that statement as not the position of government, but as the voice of an individual that is answerable to existing laws of the land.

“The governor does not tolerate thuggery, political hegemony or any attempt to subdue or cow the opposition using subtle threats or otherwise.

“We welcome opposition, robust engagement, constructive engagement and collective bargaining. Opposition helps ruling parties to think better.”

The commissioner described the trending video involving the political supporter as “incendiary” and said the administration was focused on promoting peace, unity and democratic engagement in the state.

“It is not our article of trade. It is not our thematic focus as a government. We try as much as possible to promote unity of purpose and a spirit of camaraderie among all Edo citizens and residents,” he said.

Commenting on governance, Afegbua said the administration had moved beyond rhetoric, noting that projects were visible across Edo South, Central and North Senatorial Districts.

“It’s almost certain that Edo people, the larger majority of them, have scored this government high.

“It is no longer rhetoric because we can point at what we are doing. They can feel it. They can see it,” he said.

According to him, the state’s improved financial standing is driven by increased federal allocations following fuel subsidy removal and a stronger internally generated revenue system.

“Every month we hover around N9.5 billion to N10 billion as IGR. That is not magic.

“It is the result of our commitment to ensuring that everything that needs to be done is carried out,” he said.

Afegbua disclosed that the government had recruited over 1,000 civil servants and made more than 3,000 appointments across ministries, departments and agencies, while also restoring long-delayed promotions in the civil service.

“Before now, promotions were stagnated for up to seven or eight years in the civil service. But this government has ensured adequate promotion to different categories of officers,” he said.

On digital governance, Afegbua said the administration had replaced the previous e-governance system with a new cloud-based platform called “e-Gov,” which would improve transparency and efficiency in public administration.

He said all ministries, departments and agencies were being on boarded onto the platform to reduce paperwork and improve service delivery.

In the area of infrastructure, Afegbua pointed to ongoing rehabilitation on the Benin-Auchi Road, upgrades of schools, completion of about 35 primary healthcare centres, and the construction of a 150-bed teaching hospital.

He also cited the near-completion of a security camp in Uromi to house soldiers and police personnel as part of efforts to tackle kidnapping and insecurity.

“When roads are clear and shoulders are well paved, drivers can see far ahead. It has reduced the incidence of kidnapping,” he said.

He further said the government had invested heavily in markets, including the redevelopment of the Oba Market in Benin and other major trading hubs, insisting that traders would not be displaced.

On investment, Afegbua revealed that the state recently signed an agreement with a Chinese firm for a 10 million metric tonnes cement production project in Owan expected to generate jobs and boost economic activities.

He also said the government was supporting agriculture, independent power projects and the deployment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to ease transportation costs.

“Maybe by next month, you will see about 100 CNG buses, and 50 of those will be deployed for free transportation across the state to ease the burden of economic hardship,” he said.