- Govt Says Over 200 Vehicles Missing
By Nefishetu Yakubu
GOVERNOR Monday Okpebholo of Edo State on Friday suspended recruitment into the state’s Civil Service until further notice.
The governor also ordered a review of all recruitments carried out by former Gov. Godwin Obaseki between May and November 2024.
A statement by the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Musa Ikhilor, accused heads of various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of carrying out clandestine recruitments into the state’s Civil Service.
“The governor is in receipt of report of the clandestine activities being perpetuated by some Commissions, Boards, Parastatals and Agencies of government in the state.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that these bodies have continued to issue back dated letters of employment to their cronies without due process.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this administration believes in the principle of fairness and equity, which expects that all employment exercise should be merit based, competitive and accessible to all Edo indigenes.
“In light of the foregoing and in order to arrest this ugly trend, the governor has directed the immediate suspension of all employment processes.
“He also ordered the review of all appointments carried out since May, 2024 by Commissions, Boards, Parastatals and Agencies of Government.
“Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies are to note and comply with the above directive.” the statement said.
Vehicles Missing
Meanwhile, the chairman of the committee set up by Governor Monday Okpebholo to recover government vehicles, Mr Kelly Okungbowa, on Friday declared over 200 vehicles missing.
He stated that the committee had within 24 hours recovered three vehicles from a private residence in Benin.
Okungbowa, who spoke to newsmen on the success of the committee’s assignment, said within 24 hours three vehicles including one Hilux van and two Toyota Hiace buses have been recovered.
He disclosed that in one of the Toyota Hiace buses, the committee recovered some palliatives which were meant to have been distributed to Edo people.
The chairman added that the palliatives included bags of garri and rice.
He appealed for more information from members of the public, adding that it was the information earlier obtained that led to the recovery of the three vehicles.
Okungbowa assured whistleblowers that a handsome reward awaits them provided their information were correct and verifiable.
“Yesterday, we were inaugurated, we promised to follow the law to carry out the mandate of Mr Governor which is to recover all missing government vehicles in private hands.
“We are glad to inform the people of Edo State that we have recorded success within 24 hours of our inauguration.
“I am glad to announce to you that we have recovered one Hilux and two Toyota Hiace buses in private custody.
“We assure Edo people and the State Government that we are going to do the job to the best of our ability. We will make sure we recover all the stolen vehicles.
“This is not private property but the property of Edo citizens and it is not good for a private individual to steal government property,” he said.
He appealed to former government officials and other citizens holding back government vehicles to return them within 48 hours. (NAN)
