As the tenure of the Edo State government under Governor Godwin Obaseki approaches its end, Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu has issued a stern warning to Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) against looting government property.
In a statement released on Friday, October 4, 2024, and personally signed by Shaibu, he cautioned that any missing assets during the transition period would be traced back to these officials, who would be held accountable by the incoming administration. Shaibu’s message comes as the state prepares for the transition of power, with the Obaseki-led administration set to exit office on November 11, 2024.
The current Edo State administration, which was sworn into office on November 12, 2020, is preparing to hand over the reins of government to a new leadership on November 12, 2024. As the clock ticks toward this transition, Shaibu emphasized the need for accountability in protecting state assets, particularly government properties under the care of political appointees and MDA heads.
In his statement, Shaibu underscored that as the Obaseki administration winds down, there are fears of looting by outgoing officials. The Deputy Governor stressed that it is the duty of Permanent Secretaries and heads of MDAs to safeguard these assets. According to him, any lapses or failure to protect government properties would be regarded as negligence, and the incoming government would not hesitate to hold these officials responsible.
In the statement made available to the press by his Special Assistant for New Media, Ogochukwu Isioma, Shaibu expressed his concerns over the potential removal of fixed assets and other properties by departing political appointees. He reminded all involved that the law treats the removal of government property as theft, and anyone found guilty would face the full weight of the law.
“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 statement read.
Shaibu added that the responsibility of protecting government assets rests heavily on these senior civil servants because, as government appointees themselves, they are also part of the administration that will vacate office by November 11.
“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,” he said.
Shaibu’s warning did not stop at Permanent Secretaries and Directors of MDAs. He also called on political appointees, including the Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff, Commissioners, and various Special Advisers and Assistants, to desist from any attempts to cart away government property as they prepare to leave office.
“These political aides are government appointees who are also leaving on November 11,” Shaibu noted. “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.”
He went on to caution that any political appointees caught in the act of removing government property could face serious consequences, urging them to respect the law and avoid actions that could lead to legal troubles.
Looting of government properties during transitions is not a new concern in Nigeria. In many instances, outgoing officials have been accused of stripping government offices and MDAs of valuable assets, including vehicles, office equipment, and even furniture. These acts are often seen as attempts by political appointees and civil servants to enrich themselves as they exit office.
In response to this trend, several state governments across the country have put measures in place to ensure that government properties are protected during periods of transition. Shaibu’s warning in Edo State echoes the broader national concerns about asset protection and the need for accountability during power handovers.
Permanent Secretaries and heads of MDAs play a crucial role in managing the affairs of their respective ministries and departments. As the highest-ranking civil servants within these agencies, they are responsible for ensuring the smooth running of government operations, including the safekeeping of assets and the execution of policies.