There is tension and palpable fear amongst Commissioners, Special Assistants, Senior Special Assistants, Permanent Secretaries and members of Boards and Commissions following the directive by the Ebonyi State Governor for a physical inspection of all official vehicles allocated to all Government functionaries in the state.
In a statement by the secretary to Ebonyi State Government, Prof Grace Umezuruike, said that the governor equally directed that names of those who may fail to abide by the directives be forwarded to him.
“His Excellency, our dear Governor, right Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has directed that all government officials who have been allocated one or more vehicles, be it official or utility vehicle or both, should physically present the vehicle/s to the office of the SSG.
Mrs. Umezurike said that Principal officers and commissioners are expected to present their official vehicles tomorrow Friday 8/8/25, between 10 am to 12 noon at the premises of the SSG.
SSAs and permanent secretaries are to make their presentation on Saturday 9/8/25, same time and venue while SAs, boards, commissions and others will take their turn on Monday 11/8/25, same time and venue.
“His Excellency also directed that names of those who fail to present their cars be compiled and sent to him”.
It would be recalled that a social media critic, Mr. Nwoba Chika Nwoba had made a post on his Facebook page few weeks ago alleging that a certain Commissioner of Ezza extraction of the State sold his government official vehicle and called on the Governor to investigate the allegation.
In an interview with one of the Senior Special Assistants to the Governor who spoke on grounds of anonymity said, “my brother, what do you expect, how do you expect a Senior Special Assistant who has never in his life driven any car to be driving a car worth over N100million and is still a tenant in someone’s house.
It is expected that some of them might have sold the car and used the money to buy a cheaper car and also start a building project in Abakaliki. It will be shameful and disgraceful that you will serve as a Commissioner and finish your tenure and still be a tenant.
If the Official sold the car and buys another cheaper car befitting of his status, I don’t see anything wrong there but if he or she sold the car and use the money for frivolities, then what ever decision Governor takes its justifiable.
