BENIN CITY, EDO STATE — Governor Monday Okpebholo has pledged to transform the Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS) into a world-class media institution after expressing concern over the poor state of facilities at the station during an inspection visit to its headquarters in Aduwawa, Benin City.
Speaking to journalists after touring the station, Governor Okpebholo described the condition of the facility as troubling, citing overgrown surroundings, inadequate working conditions, and the failure to install a transmitter purchased by his administration since November 2025 despite significant expenditure.
“What I have seen here pains me,” the Governor said. “But I did not come here to complain. I came to fix it.”
The Governor announced a series of immediate and long-term interventions aimed at restoring the station’s operational capacity and improving staff productivity. He disclosed that architectural designs for a complete reconstruction of the facility had already been completed and that procurement processes were being accelerated to commence work.
As part of the intervention, Governor Okpebholo said his administration would install solar power infrastructure to address the persistent electricity challenges that have limited the station’s ability to operate effectively on a 24-hour basis.
He also announced that two operational vehicles would be delivered to the station to improve news gathering and enable reporters to cover government activities, projects, and events across Edo State.
“The transmitter my administration purchased will work. We will solve the power problem. We will provide the mobility you need. And we will rebuild this station,” the Governor assured.
Governor Okpebholo emphasized that rebuilding EBS forms part of his broader agenda to strengthen public institutions and infrastructure across Edo State. According to him, sustainable development can only be achieved through collective commitment to rebuilding state-owned institutions.
“It is only Edo that can build Edo,” he stated.
Acting Managing Director of EBS, Mr. Festus Alenkhe, welcomed the Governor’s intervention and assured him that the station would continue to serve as a platform for communicating the achievements and development programmes of the state government.
Alenkhe also appealed for the completion of the transmitter installation and commended the Governor’s commitment to workers’ welfare, noting that the regular payment of salaries had significantly boosted staff morale and confidence.
The Governor was accompanied on the inspection by the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku; Chief of Staff, Alhaji Yakubu Musa Oshiorenua; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua; and other senior government officials.
Source: Office of the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Edo State.