Protect assets against looting, Edo dep gov tells MDAs as administration approaches conclusion

Protect assets against looting, Edo dep gov tells MDAs as administration approaches conclusion

Abdullateef Fowewe

Embattled Edo state deputy governor, Philip Shaibu has warned Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to prevent the looting of government properties by political appointees.

Shaibu in a statement on Friday stated that they would be held accountable by the incoming administration for any assets missing under their watch.

The statement 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.”