Clement Nnachi, Abakaliki
Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State has suspended the state’s Commissioner for Local Government/Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Samuel Okoronkwo, and all the Development Center Coordinators in Afikpo North and Ivo local government areas for alleged negligence of duty resulting to border lapses in their areas.
The suspended coordinators are to handover to Member One in their development centers including official vehicles.
The governor has equally placed all political appointees and traditional rulers from the two Local Governments on half salary until normalcy is returned in their respective domain.
Governor Umahi, who personally conveyed his inspection experience in a release stated inter-alia, “What I saw last night at Ivo Local Government Area has left me worried about our honesty in doing this job. Between 6.30p.m, to 12 mid night I entered Afikpo North and moved to Ivo, and was so disappointed.
“In ivo I arrested over 10 passenger vehicles with over 50 passengers coming from Abia, Port Harcourt and Lagos, those on the road took bribes and allowed them to pass. I had no option than to arrest those who were said to be doing the work but were only there taking bribe and they are already at the holding centre in Abakaliki.”
The governor bemoaned the absence of town union leaders in those locations stating, “no monitoring by the Local Government Commissioner or Council Chairmen or Coordinators. It is a shame.
“In Ohaozara, I observed that good work took place in the day but at night only the army in one location and local boys stayed.”
Governor Umahi ordered the Commissioner for Local Government to render account for the expenditures of N15 million released to each council chairman for this pandemic before Wednesday, May 13, 2020.
“I must definitely see if I can raise boys in each of the 140 communities to do this job and then review all appointments in line with those who can help in this fight to save our people.
“I am still so depressed with the commitment of our security agencies despite my efforts in paying allowances. I have no solution to this but God is alive. “Never seen this kind of compromise in my life not considering the danger of this pandemic.”
