Edo govt, Okpebholo want smooth transition

The Edo State Joint Transition Committee made up of the government team and that of the governor-elect, Monday Okpebholo, has vowed to work in harmony to enhance a seamless transition.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting at the John Odigie-Oyegun Public Service Academy in Benin, on Friday, the State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, said the primary objective of the meeting was to facilitate a smooth handover of government.

He said, “We look forward to the collaborative efforts of all members in ensuring a seamless transition.”

Chairman of the Joint Transition Committee and Secretary to the Edo State Government, Joseph Eboigbe, who briefed the committee on the state government programme, stated the government’s readiness to ensure a flawless transition with the incoming administration.

On his part, the Chairman of the Governor-elect, Monday Okpebholo team, a former deputy governor of the state, Pius Odubu, expressed delight that the state government had begun the exercise towards a seamless transition.

Odubu urged the state government team, to work assiduously to ensure that documents, both hardcopy and soft copies, were provided to give details for the incoming administration to take off.

He cautioned against any attempt to hide data and available information, saying ‘Let’s not try to hide information so that the incoming government will be well briefed’.

The handover ceremony would come up on November 12 in Benin.She noted, “The unmanned areas are where we face significant challenges, with illegal crossings and irregular migrants. We are determined to address this by deploying technology that will help us monitor and secure those areas. Anyone entering the country will be identified, and we will know exactly when and where they arrive.”

Nandap mentioned that the e-border system would facilitate collaboration with other security agencies by enabling the sharing of critical intelligence.