Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has alleged that the State House of Assembly has failed to execute any constituency project since September 2025, despite funds released by the executive.

The Governor made the allegation in Benin while addressing traditional rulers from Esan South East LGA who were on a courtesy visit to his office.

He was explaining the rationale behind the recent amendment to the Financial Autonomy Law of the Edo State House of Assembly and the Judicial Autonomy Law.

According to Okpebholo, the amendments are aimed at promoting transparency, accountability and due process in the management of state funds.

“We have three independent arms of government, and the House is to appropriate funds and not to carry out the functions of the executive by executing projects,” he said.

“Since last year, a lot of money was going there, but even the members were not seeing it. Since September last year, they have not carried out any constituency project, and money was going there.

“These are reasons why we cannot trust one individual with due process without checks and balances,” the Governor added.

The Governor said the amended law will ensure that constituency projects are domiciled in relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, to allow for proper monitoring and implementation.

He clarified that lawmakers will still appropriate funds for constituency projects, but the actual execution will be handled by MDAs in line with approved specifications.

“Now, their constituency projects will be domiciled in various MDAs and, once they appropriate funds for projects, they are able to track them through the ministries and ensure the projects are done according to specification, not one person determining what should be done,” he explained.

“These are the things we are trying to correct, and thank God the members understand it and are insisting that their money is for the people and must follow due process,” Okpebholo said.

The Governor noted that the reform is intended to prevent the people from being shortchanged and to ensure constituency funds deliver tangible projects to communities.