The Permanent Secretary of Ebonyi state’s Ministry of Power and Energy, Mr Godwin Nwankwo, has been suspended alongside the Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Utilities, Mr Emmanuel Nwangbo, over alleged persistent theft of diesel meant for streetlights.
The state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Uchenna Orji who disclosed this at the end of the state’s Executive Council (EXCO) meeting, added that the state’s Head of Service was directed to thoroughly investigate the ministry’s staff involved in the theft and take appropriate actions as required by the civil service rules.
Orji said;
“The council approved the suspension of both officials who were directly responsible for the streetlight supervision under the ministry.
“The council also received a report of the persistent diesel theft and noted the disturbing volumes of the product lost to persons involved in the business of streetlights.
“Member, therefore, resolved that those involved in the streetlight supervision be investigated by the Department of State Security (DSS) to unmask the perpetrators.
“The state’s Head of Service was directed to thoroughly investigate the ministry’s staff involved in the theft and take appropriate actions as required by the civil service rules.”