By Damilare Adeleye
A 12-member committee set up by Governor Monday Okphebolo of Edo State has stated that over 200 public vehicles are currently missing.
It is understood that the committee was inaugurated on Thursday by the governor to recover vehicles belonging to the Edo state government.
The committee, led by Kelly Okungbowa, is expected to submit its report within two weeks.Speaking with journalists on Friday, Okungbowa said within 24 hours, the committee “recovered” three vehicles belonging to the state government.
Okungbowa said palliatives meant for the people of the state were seen in one of the recovered vehicles.
“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,” he said.
“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. You see that within 24 hours that we have made success and recovered some vehicles.
“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 are that we have over 200 government vehicles missing.”
Okungbowa appealed to people of the state to share information on stolen government vehicles, adding that whistleblowers will be rewarded.
On November 12, Okpebholo took mantle of leadership as the new governor of Edo from Godwin Obaseki.
Some days to the swearing-in ceremony, Okphebolo accused the Obaseki-led administration of looting the state properties — an allegation the former governor denied.