Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has commissioned the reconstructed Oredo Girls Secondary School in Benin City, ending years of abandonment of the historic institution and reaffirming his administration’s resolve to overhaul public education and infrastructure across the state.
The commissioning ceremony at the school on Awo Street, off First East Circular Road, was marked by excitement as students and teachers welcomed the governor and praised the state government for restoring the once dilapidated facility. Many described the intervention as a turning point that has renewed confidence in public education in Edo State.
Speaking at the event, Governor Okpebholo said the visible improvement in infrastructure and staffing showed that the administration’s education reforms were beginning to yield results. He recalled a previous visit to the school when only a handful of teachers were available and expressed satisfaction that more than 20 teachers are now posted to the institution.
The governor assured the school community that outstanding challenges, including power supply, would be addressed promptly to ensure a conducive learning environment. He said the goal of his government was to fix schools not for appearances, but for the long-term benefit of Edo children.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Paddy Iyamu, described the reconstruction as practical governance in action. He said the school had previously become an eyesore and a centre for undesirable activities before the governor declared a state of emergency in the education sector. According to him, the directive was aimed at ensuring that every child in Edo State attends school in a safe and supportive environment.
A student of the school, Osarunwense, also expressed joy over the transformation, noting that the buildings were once in poor condition before the governor’s intervention restored the school’s appearance and facilities.
The commissioning forms part of a broader agenda by the Okpebholo administration to rehabilitate public schools and improve education standards statewide.
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In a related development, Governor Okpebholo has issued a strong warning to contractors handling government projects, stating that performance, speed, and quality will determine access to future jobs. The governor spoke during a stakeholders meeting with major contractors at the Government House in Benin City, where ongoing projects and delivery timelines were reviewed.
He stressed that awarding contracts is only the beginning and that proper execution and supervision are critical. While acknowledging progress on several projects, the governor expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of some works that have lasted several months without visible advancement.
Governor Okpebholo stated that his administration has ensured prompt payment of contractors’ certificates and made it clear that funding has not been a constraint. He warned that substandard work, unnecessary delays, or attempts at contract revaluation would not be tolerated, insisting that projects must be delivered as agreed.
He further explained that future contracts would be strictly performance-based, adding that projects must be durable enough to serve Edo people for decades. The governor cited recent inspections of roads in Benin City, including Church Road and Ekenhuan Road, where he emphasized the need for proper drainage systems to guarantee project longevity.
Officials at the meeting, including the Special Adviser on Projects, Phoebe-William Bello, and the Commissioner for Works, Hon. Felix Akhabue, commended the governor for engaging contractors directly, describing the meeting as a practical step to accelerate project delivery during the dry season.
Speaking for the contractors, Mr. Nazilh Nasr of NAFRO Nigeria Limited praised the governor for prompt payments and continuity on projects initiated by previous administrations, noting that the current government has consistently met its obligations.
The meeting ended with contractors pledging to speed up work, adhere to approved standards, and maintain close communication with the Ministry of Works to address challenges swiftly, as the Okpebholo administration intensifies efforts to deliver quality infrastructure and functional public schools across Edo State.
