Governor Monday Okpebholo has delivered on a key promise with the commissioning of the rebuilt Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) Complex in Ekpoma, alongside a ₦200 million support package for affected traders.
The facility, located in Ekpoma within Esan West Local Government Area, was gutted by fire in January 2026, destroying over 25 shops and goods worth millions of naira.
Speaking during the commissioning on Saturday, April 4, the governor recalled his earlier visit to the scene shortly after the incident, where he pledged to rebuild the complex and support victims.
“Today we are experiencing a fulfilled promise. It is good when you make a promise and keep it,” Okpebholo declared, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the welfare of citizens.
Beyond reconstructing the market, the governor announced a ₦200 million fund to assist traders whose livelihoods were impacted by the inferno. He explained that the funds would be disbursed to verified shop owners to help them restart their businesses.
The fire, which occurred on January 11, 2026, razed POWA shops within the Ekpoma Police Division, leaving many traders devastated.
Further details obtained by this online newspaper indicate that the intervention forms part of a broader recovery effort by the state government, with similar support underway for traders affected by a separate fire incident at Oba Market in Oredo Local Government Area.
Observers say the swift reconstruction and financial relief underscore Okpebholo’s growing reputation for fulfilling commitments, as affected traders begin to rebuild their lives and businesses.
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