Okpebholo donates N200m to POWA’s shop owners gutted by fire

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has donated the sum of N200million to Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) whose stores were gutted by fire during the protest against kidnapping and other criminal activities in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area on January 11, 2026.

Governor Okpebholo donated the money to POWA whose 25 shops were destroyed during the outbreak of the fire while inaugurating the rebuilt POWA’s complex at the weekend.

He said he made a promise of rebuilding the complex some months ago, a promise he fulfilled by inaugurating the market for use and also made a donation of N200 million.

“We all remember this market, about three or four months ago there was a fire incident here. We came here to inspect the level of damage and commiserate with the victims, promising to help rebuild the market.

“Today we are experiencing a fulfilled promise. This is the building you are seeing now and it is good when you promise and you keep to that promise.

“You remember also that we promise that we are going to help traders come back, so we will have the names of the traders affected and we will release the sum of N200 million to support them and ensure they recover.

“I visited this scene in January 2026, and pledged to rebuild the shops.The fire affected the POWA shops within the Ekpoma Police Division, destroying goods worth millions of naira”, he said.

The governor added that his administration is on the verge of fulfilling similar promises made to traders whose goods were destroyed by fire at the Oba Market in the Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State as the Contractor promised to hand over the market to the Edo State Government in the coming days.