Okpebholo Boosts Grassroots Infrastructure with 54 Heavy-Duty Equipment for Edo LGs

Kingsley Ohens reporting For Urbanscoopnews

Benin City, Nigeria — February 16, 2026

In a landmark move to accelerate grassroots development and strengthen local governance, the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, will on Thursday formally present 54 units of construction equipment to the 18 Local Government Councils across the state.

The commissioning ceremony, scheduled to hold in Benin City, will be performed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and is expected to attract senior government officials, political stakeholders, traditional rulers and community leaders.

According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Patrick Akhere Ebojele, PhD, the initiative represents a strategic intervention designed to empower local councils with the tools required to directly execute critical infrastructure projects within their jurisdictions.

The equipment—comprising graders, excavators, rollers and other heavy-duty machinery—is expected to significantly enhance road construction, rural access projects, drainage rehabilitation and other community-driven works. By placing the equipment in the hands of local authorities, the administration aims to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks, improve efficiency and accelerate project delivery at the grassroots level.

Ebojele emphasized that the intervention aligns with Governor Okpebholo’s commitment to practical governance, infrastructure renewal and sustainable development across Edo’s three senatorial districts. He noted that strengthening the operational capacity of local councils would stimulate economic activities in rural communities and ensure that the dividends of democracy are felt more directly by residents.

Observers describe the initiative as a bold step toward decentralizing development execution, fostering accountability and reinforcing a governance framework focused on measurable impact.

The presentation ceremony will take place on Thursday in Benin City.