Real reason why Okpebholo sacked EDOGIS MD

By Jethro Ibileke

Details of real reason why Governor Monday Okpebholo sacked the Managing Director of the Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS), Mr. Tony Ikpasajah, emerged Thursday evening.

The Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor, had in a statement Thursday morning, announced that Governor Okpebholo had approved Ikpasajah’s removal from office.

“This action is part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to restructure and reposition EDOGIS for optimal efficiency, improved service delivery and enhanced institutional performance,” the statement had claimed.

Investigation however revealed that Ikpasajah was reportedly sacked over issues relating to an advert of the revocation of the 13, 545 hectares of land belonging to Presco Plc in Ologbo, Ikpoba-Okha local government area, placed in a national daily.

Competent sources in the Government House said the Governor was thoroughly embarrassed by the advert, claiming that he was not properly briefed about the issues.

It would be recalled that on Wednesday, Edo State Government, in an advertorial, invoked sections Sections 28 and 38 of the Constitution to revoke the Presco Oil Plc land, measuring 13,545 hecters.

Barely 24 hours later, the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Musa Ikhilor, was said to have claimed that Ikpasajah acted unilaterally, without authorisation, and in complete disregard for established procedures and the actual number of hectares intended for excision from PRESCO PLC’s total landholding.

His statement noted that a formal administrative review has been initiated to address the unauthorised actions of the former EDOGIS Managing Director and to strengthen internal controls to prevent future breaches.