The State Government has suspended Ebonyi Godwin Nwankwo, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Power and Energy.
Emmanuel Nwangbo, the governor’s special assistant for public utilities, was also suspended.
They were sent on leave due to an alleged theft of fuel valued at roughly N150 million that was intended for lighting across the State.
This was mentioned in a statement released by Uchenna Orji, the commissioner for information, on Wednesday following the State Executive Council meeting.
He said that the Ministry of Power and Energy had submitted a report to the council detailing the ongoing theft of fuel intended for lighting, which has occasionally left the State in the dark.
“Council noted the disturbing volumes of diesel that have been lost in the hands of the persons involved in the business of Streetlight.
“Council therefore resolved that all concerned in the business of the Streetlight supervision in the State be investigated by the Department of State Security Service with a view to unmasking the perpetrators.
“The Head of Service was further directed to cause a thorough investigation of the Ministry’s staff involved in the theft of diesel and take appropriate actions as required by the rules of the State Civil Service,” Orji said.
He said the council ordered the suspension of the duo because they are directly responsible for the supervision of streetlights under the Ministry of Power.
Also, it was gathered the State Government has received the N1.5bn special ecological fund approved by President Muhammadu Buhari for the Ogwuma Edda in Afikpo South local government area.