Observers say Governor Monday Okpebholo may need up to three months to inaugurate projects throughout Edo State as he marks his second year in office.
Those tracking the administration’s infrastructure push across the state’s 18 local government areas and three senatorial districts contend that the scale of ongoing and completed works is unprecedented.
They note that Okpebholo is emerging as another “uncommon governor” in Nigeria, suggesting he may have to dedicate as much as three months solely to commissioning projects or, alternatively, limit ceremonies to the most ambitious ones because of the sheer number underway.
Mr. John Mayaki, promoter of the initiative “Edo: Nigeria’s Construction Site,” who has been visiting project locations statewide, said that activities for the governor’s second anniversary may require allocating up to three months for commissioning events.
In 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 also noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would likely prepare to honour the governor with his presence to commission some 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 to infrastructure-focused administrations in Nigeria, Mayaki said Okpebholo’s strategy mirrors that of former governors known for aggressive project execution, including Senator Godswill Akpabio, former Nyesom Wike, Adams Oshiomhole, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Alex Otti.
He emphasized that the volume of projects is so large 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.
Mayaki described Okpebholo as a model in infrastructural development, adding that the governor has gained recognition within just one year and two months in office.