BENIN CITY, Nigeria — The Edo State Government’s Vehicle Recovery Committee has achieved further success in its campaign to retrieve state-owned vehicles from former government officials, with five additional vehicles recovered this week.
Kelly Okungbowa, chairman of the committee, revealed on Thursday, November 28, 2024, four vehicles were seized from the residence of Osarodion Ogie, the former Secretary to the State Government and a Deputy Governorship candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the last gubernatorial election.
Another vehicle was recovered from an unnamed individual, bringing the total recoveries in this round to five.
Two Land Cruiser Jeeps and three Toyota Hilux trucks were among the vehicles retrieved. Some of them contained campaign materials such as posters and branded umbrellas.
Significant Progress in Recovery Efforts
Speaking on the committee’s progress, Okungbowa stated, “Since we began this operation, we have recovered 30 vehicles. This week alone, we secured five, including two Land Cruiser Jeeps and two Toyota Hilux vehicles from the former SSG, and another Hilux from an unidentified individual.”
The chairman credited whistleblowers for their vital role in providing information that led to the recoveries.
“Public cooperation has been instrumental in our success so far, and we continue to encourage citizens to come forward with information. Whistleblowers will be rewarded for any leads that result in successful recoveries,” he added.
A Broader Commitment to Accountability
The committee’s operations, which have a two-week deadline for completion, reflect the state government’s focus on transparency and asset recovery.
Okungbowa reiterated the committee’s readiness to travel nationwide to retrieve government vehicles.
“We are prepared to go wherever these vehicles are located to reclaim them on behalf of the state,” he affirmed, noting that the government remains committed to ensuring that public assets are properly accounted for and used for their intended purposes.
Ongoing Appeal to the Public
As the operation enters its final phase, the committee continues to urge the public to assist with any information regarding the location of state-owned vehicles.
The whistleblower initiative has been a cornerstone of the campaign, encouraging citizens to support the government’s efforts to promote accountability actively.
The Edo State Government’s crackdown on the misuse of official assets sends a strong message about its commitment to curbing mismanagement and ensuring public resources are protected.
