Three Govt Vehicles Recovered Out Of Over 200 Carted Away By Officials Of Past Administration

…As committee stumbled on stolen palliatives

By Simeon OSAJIE

The committee on recovery of government vehicles inaugurated on Wednesday by Governor Monday Okpebholo says it has recovered three vehicles – one Hilux van and two Toyota Hiace buses – out of over 200 said to be missing.

Chairman of the committee, Kelly Okungbowa, who was upbeat about the success recorded within 24 hours of swinging into action, said the vehicles were recovered at a private residence.

Speaking to journalists on their activities, Okungbowa said in one of the Toyota Hiace buses, the committee recovered some palliatives which ought to have been shared to Edo people. He said the palliatives included 10kg and 25kg bags of garri and rice.

Disclosing that the recoveries were made possible as a result of information by whistle blowers, Okungbowa appealed for more of such from members of the public for greater successes.

Okungbowa also assured whistleblowers that a handsome reward awaited them provided information given was correct and verifiable.

According to him, “Yesterday, we were inaugurated. We promised to follow the law to carry out the mandate of Mr. Governor which is to recover all missing government vehicles in private hands. We are glad to inform the people of Edo State that we have recorded success within 24 hours of our inauguration.

“I am glad to announce to you that we have recovered one Hilux and two Toyota Hiace buses in private custody. We assure Edo people and the State Government that we are going to do the job to the best of our ability. We will make sure we recover all the stolen vehicles.

“Reports reaching us is that we have over 200 government vehicles missing. We appeal for more information as the whistleblowers will be handsomely rewarded.

“This is not private property but the property of Edo citizens, and it is not good for a private individual to steal government property. These vehicles were recovered from one person’s house. Palliatives were recovered from the Toyota Hiace bus as some garri and bags of rice were kept in the bus.

“We are just wondering how many will be in the houses of former government officials like the Chief of Staff, SSG and so called Deputy Governor which is not known by law.

“We appeal to former government officials and other citizens holding back government vehicles to return the vehicles within 48 hours.

“We need more information as we are moving to other places where we have been informed that government vehicles are parked. There have not been resistance so far because security agencies are backing our operations”.