Deputy Gov Shaibu Warns Perm Secretaries, Directors To Prevent Looting Of Property In Twilight Of Obaseki’s Administration

He stated that it was the duty of the permanent secretaries and directors to ensure that properties of government are kept safe.

The newly reinstated deputy governor of Edo State, Phillip Shaibu has issued a statement cautioning against looting of the state government property by political appointees.

“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.”

He stated that it was the duty of the permanent secretaries and directors to ensure that properties of government are kept safe.

“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,” his statement read.

This development comes amid Shaibu’s rift with the incumbent governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki. It also comes amid dispute on his office.

The deputy governor, Shaibu, had joined the All Progressives Congress, joining forces with the party to defeat the Peoples Democratic Party in the recently held controversial governorship election.