By Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki
Ebonyi Governor, David Umahi has suspended all Development Centre Coordinators of Afikpo North and Ivo local government areas of the State for alleged incompetence, sabotage and dereliction of duties in the fight against COVID-19.
He also suspended the leadership of the Town Union in the state.
The Governor, in a statement, expressed regrets and disappointment that he arrested over ten passenger vehicles with over 50 passengers coming from Abia, Port Harcourt and Lagos States.
The Governor alleged that those on the road blocks at the borders took bribes and allowed the passengers and vehicles to pass as there was no presence of town unions in those locations.
Umahi said: “What I saw yesterday at Ivo local government last night has left me worried about our honesty in doing this job.
“Between 6.30 pm to 12 mid night I entered Afikpo north and moved to Ivo, I was so much disappointed.
“In Ivo I arrested over ten 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. No presence of town union in those locations”.
As a result, he declared: “All Coordinators in Afikpo North and Ivo LGAs are hereby suspended from office effective Sunday.
“They must handover to member one in their development centres including vehicles.
“All political appointees from these two LGAs are to remain on half salary until normalcy is returned including all traditional rulers from Afikpo north and Ivo LGA”.
He added: “Commissioner for Local Government and Permanent Secretary are to serve one month working suspension without salaries and if there is no improvement in the running of LGA, they will be removed. The chairman and leadership of town union in Ebonyi state are hereby suspended”.
The Governor noted that it was a shame there was no monitoring by the Commissioner for Security, Coordinators or the Local government chairmen.
Umahi directed the Commissioner for Local government, Sam Okoronkwo, to account for the N15 million released to each of the 13 council chairmen to tackle the pandemic.
The Governor threatened he would raise about 140 boys from each of the communities if the problem continues.
He said he was depressed with the lack of commitment of security agencies despite payment of all allowances.
