Loot and Face Consequences, Dep Gov Tells Commissioners, others
Barely one month to the end of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration in Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu has warned heads of ministries, parastatals and MDAs to guide against looting of government property by the governor’s appointees.
He warned that heads of departments who allow appointees to steal and cart away government property under their supervision would be held responsible.
Shaibu, who fell out with Obaseki before the September 21 election, helped to defeat the governor’s chosen successor, Mr Asue Ighodalo and has unofficially taken over the leadership of the state in the absence of Obaseki, who is on vacation.
It was gathering that the deputy governor’s warning, which was revealed on his personal Facebook page, followed a report that some commissioners, including principal officers of the outgoing governor, were planning to loot properties from their ministries and offices.
He said, “As our administration ends in a few weeks, I have issued a stern warning to Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to guard against the looting of government properties by political appointees, as they would be held accountable by the incoming administration for any assets missing under their watch.
“The Permanent Secretaries and Directors must know that it is their responsibility to protect the properties because these political aides (Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff, Commissioners, Special Advisers/Assistants, and Senior Special Advisers/Assistants) are government appointees who are also leaving on November 11.
“So, the failure of Permanent Secretaries and heads of these MDAs to act means they will be held responsible for giving an account of their inventories. Removing fixed items and government properties is a crime and unacceptable.
“Permanent Secretaries and heads of MDAs should, therefore, guard against such criminality or face consequences. All political appointees must equally desist from such actions, which may land them in trouble. Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu
