Some senior council members of of Egor Local Government Area were suspended by the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Wednesday after paying an unscheduled visit to the council’s secretariat.
Among those suspended for resuming late to work were the Head of Service, Mrs. Rachael Oriefo, and all heads of department in the council.
It was gathered that Obaseki had arrived at about 8.10am only to discover that the HoS and other management staff had not resumed for duties.
The development was said to displease him as he ordered Oreifo’s suspension, who arrived later.
He also expressed displeasure over the state of the environment within the local government.
The governor’s action was said to have prompted the workers who were present before his visit to alert some of their colleagues who had yet to resume.
It was learnt that the governor had earlier scheduled a meeting with the heads of department for 3pm at the secretariat located in Uselu.
A source said that Obaseki directed the HoS to stay back as soon as she was sighted.
The source explained, “The head of service came in at about 8.30am. But he (Obaseki) walked her out. Other workers who came later were kept outside because the gate was closed.
“As he (Obaseki) wanted to leave, he directed that the gate should be opened. As they (workers) came in, he gave them numbers.”
The governor, who was accompanied by the Chairman of the Edo State Local Government Service Commission, Dr. Simon Imuekemhe, and a leader of the All Progressives Congress in Egor, Chief Lucky Imasuen, also ordered that the council be made viable in the next three months.