The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has issued a two-week ultimatum to a newly inaugurated 12-member committee to recover all government-owned vehicles still in the possession of officials from the previous administration.
The directive was given on Thursday, November 21, following the committee’s inauguration in Benin.
Governor Okpebholo tasked the committee chairman, Kelly Okungbowa, with ensuring the recovery and return of all government vehicles to the state within the specified period.
Speaking after the inauguration, Okungbowa introduced himself and his vice, former Edo State House of Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon. Victor Edoror, noting that the committee’s members were drawn from the state’s three senatorial districts.
He stated that many vehicles used by the previous administration were unaccounted for, as former officials had failed to return them.
Expressing the committee’s commitment to the assignment, Okungbowa said: “A lot of vehicles used by the past administration are missing, as those in possession of the vehicles have refused to return them. The governor has deemed it fit to inaugurate us today with a mandate to recover all government vehicles in private hands.
“I am the chairman, while my vice is the former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Edoror. We have members across the three senatorial districts in Edo State, and we are ready to do the job, abiding by the law.”
The chairman also appealed to the public for assistance, urging anyone with information about government vehicles in private possession to come forward.
“We appeal to members of the public who might know of anyone still holding government vehicles to inform us to help the committee recover them for the Edo State Government,” he said.
Okungbowa disclosed that the committee already had leads on some of the vehicles and promised to carry out the task within the law.
“We have two weeks to carry out this task, and as I speak, we already have some vital information about certain individuals still holding government vehicles. We will do the job according to the law, and the State government and its people will be pleased. You can reach us on 08110165121,” he added.
This directive comes as Governor Okpebholo implements significant reforms in his administration.
Earlier, Investors King reported that the governor had ordered the suspension of market unions in the state as part of his broader governance overhaul.
