The Edo State Government is preparing to launch the second phase of the Edo State Transformation and Enhancement Programme, also known as EdoSTEP 2.0. This new phase is part of a wider plan to modernize how governance is practiced and improve service delivery across all levels of the Civil and Public Service in the state.
Speaking during a courtesy visit from the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), the Edo State Head of Service, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa, shared key insights into what EdoSTEP 2.0 will offer. The meeting took place at the Government House in Benin City, where Dr. Okungbowa highlighted the government’s commitment to strengthening professionalism, accountability, and innovation within the civil service.
He noted that civil servants are often the first point of contact for most citizens and that the way public officials perform their duties plays a major role in how people view the government.
According to Dr. Okungbowa, “The Civil Service is the engine of the Government. What the Government does for and on behalf of the people is executed through the Civil Service. Often, citizens may never meet the Governor, but they meet the Civil servants at the point of service delivery. Whether it is an interaction necessitated for the payment of taxes, processing certificate of occupancies or accessing utilities, the impression people form from those interactions become their perception of Government.”
Dr. Okungbowa further said that Governor Monday Okpebholo is fully committed to ensuring that civil service reforms continue. He stated, “That is why smart governments invest in their Civil Service. I am pleased to inform you that Governor Okpebholo has approved the rollout of EdoSTEP 2.0. This phase is not only focused on institutional reforms but also on changing the mindset and approach of Civil servants. When people meet a Civil servant, they should get a true representation of what this Government stands for; which are responsibility, service and progress. The people need to know that the Government is willing and ready to deliver the dividends of democracy to them.”
He warned that the government would no longer tolerate outdated practices within the system. He said, “While the conduct of Civil servants has improved tremendously, we are still pushing for the best. Those who persist in the old ways, despite the significant investments this Government has made to support reforms, will face consequences. There is no room for indiscipline or inefficiency in this new era.”
The EdoSTEP 2.0 initiative aligns with broader efforts to attract investor confidence, reduce government expenditure wastage, and improve access to basic services, which are all high-value government goals.
These objectives help position the state as a hub for improved public sector management and infrastructure development, increasing the state’s attractiveness to both national and international partners.
During the meeting, Dr. Okungbowa also acknowledged the efforts of ANEEJ, especially the work done by its Executive Director, Rev. David Ugolor. He commended ANEEJ’s proposals and stressed the importance of building partnerships for successful governance.
“Your initiatives are impressive and timely. Incidentally, we have already begun working on several of these ideas, including the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme. We need to harmonize our efforts and build a collaborative front,” Dr. Okungbowa stated.
He specifically pointed out the importance of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), saying, “The Open Government Partnership (OGP) for instance, is crucial. The people should know what the Government is doing.
They need to know the path we as a government is charting. That is called touch turning and they must be aware from the get go. This allows citizens to co-create governance and gives them visibility into government processes. I agree with you that these are things that must be done and assure you that we will take this to the Governor.”
He went further to applaud Rev. Ugolor’s commitment to governance development, saying, “Your impact in the Country and Edo State in particular cannot be quantified in monetary terms. You have committed energy, personal resources and influence towards the pursuit of good governance. You are a model of what civic leadership should be, and should be emulated. We need more of your kind if we are to move this Nation forward. We are very proud of what you have become and what you have stood for over the years.”
In his remarks, Rev. David Ugolor emphasized the need for stronger ties between citizens and the government. He pointed out that lasting governance reforms cannot be achieved without transparency, accountability, and inclusive participation from all stakeholders. He stressed that real change comes when people can see the impact of government actions in their daily lives.
Rev. Ugolor noted, “When service delivery is poor, it negatively shapes public opinion. If we improve service delivery, citizens will no longer need convincing, there would be no need for campaigning, naturally, they will support a government that works.”
He urged the Edo State Government to officially join the Open Government Partnership (OGP), stating that such a move would help bridge the gap between what policies say and what citizens actually need. He explained that frameworks like the OGP are essential in tackling corruption, poverty, and infrastructure challenges through transparency and active citizen involvement.
Rev. Ugolor also proposed that the State should adopt the Crime Recovery and Management Law currently being used at the federal level. According to him, this law could help make anti-corruption efforts more effective by supporting whistleblower systems and encouraging public involvement in crime reporting and recovery.
“Information is power. If you incentivize whistleblowers and create a trusted, secure channel for reporting, you empower citizens to participate in fighting corruption. Market-driven approaches to crime management, such as in New York’s traffic system, have shown that even crime control can generate legitimate revenue when handled properly,” he said.
He warned against the culture of political appointments based only on party loyalty. Rev. Ugolor emphasized that only competent individuals should be appointed if the goal is to ensure long-term development.
“The Governor cannot be everywhere. That is why we need institutional systems like Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs) in MDAs to provide internal checks. If appointments are driven by political loyalty instead of competence, even well-intended projects will fail,” he explained.
He further called for the creation of social protection laws aimed at helping the most vulnerable citizens. He urged the state to make better use of technology in gathering feedback from the public, noting that sustainable reform must be built around the people and their needs.
