Governor Okpebholo says some houses may be removed as government moves to tackle flooding and upgrade infrastructure in the Government Reserved Area.
The Edo State Government has announced plans to invest about ₦250 billion in road rehabilitation and drainage infrastructure in the Government Reserved Area (GRA), Benin City, as part of efforts to address flooding and develop a new GRA.
Governor Monday Okpebholo disclosed this on Thursday, October 8, 2026, when he received the Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Iyobosa Okungbowa, and other judges on a courtesy visit to the Government House in Benin City.
According to a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele, the visit was to invite the governor to activities marking the commencement of the 2026/2027 legal year in the state.
Okpebholo said his administration was considering the development of a new GRA, noting that the existing one was not properly planned from inception.
He explained that the government had invited proposals from companies to determine the cost of the proposed infrastructure project, with three firms submitting estimates totalling about ₦250 billion.
“My administration is working to have a new GRA as I believe the old GRA was not properly planned right from inception,” the governor said.
“I called for proposals and three companies gave me an estimate of about ₦250 billion. Some houses have to give way,” he added.
The governor also announced plans to commence palliative repairs on roads within the existing GRA after the rainy season, while the Edo Geographic Information Service (EdoGIS) was assessing areas requiring improvements in essential infrastructure, including water and electricity.
“After the rainy season, we have to do some palliative work on most of the roads in the GRA. The EdoGIS is already working on areas requiring improvements of infrastructure like water and electricity,” Okpebholo said.
On the administration’s relationship with the judiciary, the governor commended the state’s judges for their cooperation, particularly in the operation of special courts and efforts to ensure the speedy dispensation of justice.
He also praised the judges for their diligence, saying he had not received negative reports about their activities.
Addressing the welfare of judicial officers, Okpebholo disclosed that the State Executive Council had approved the purchase of about 33 vehicles to replace the ageing vehicles currently being used by judges in the state.
“We have gotten approval from the State Executive Council on purchasing vehicles to replace the old ones our judges are using. We are looking at about 33 vehicles which you will get soon,” he said.
Earlier, the Chief Judge, Justice Okungbowa, commended the governor for his administration’s developmental initiatives and cooperation with other arms of government.
He said the collaboration between the executive and judiciary had contributed to peace and development in Edo State.
Okungbowa explained that the delegation’s visit was to formally invite the governor to the activities marking the commencement of the 2026/2027 legal year on October 9.
He also expressed appreciation for the administration’s cooperation with the judiciary and other arms of government, noting that the relationship had helped sustain a peaceful atmosphere in the state.
