Oshiomhole Appoints Major Loye perm sec

JETHRO IBILEKE/Benin

Nigeria’s Governor Adams Oshiomhole has appointed the Task Force Chairman on demolition of illegal buildings and structures, Major Lawrence Loye (rtd), as Permanent Secretary.

He replaces Alhasan Ikhelowa of the Ministry of Environment and Public Utility who was sent on compulsory retirement last week by Comrade Oshiomhole, triggering criticisms by members of the public.

Before his appointment, Major Loye was the Executive Director, Edo State Environmental Protection and Regulatory Unit.

The 48 year-old Major Loye who hails from Ilesha, Osun State, is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Transport, United Kingdom. He holds a Masters Degree in Transport Planning and Management and retired from the Nigerian Army on June 30, 2002.

His previous engagement with Edo State included serving as a member of the Edo State Board of Internal Revenue between 2005 and 2007. He would be sworn in on Tuesday, 15 January, 2013.

Loye himself has been a controversial figure. Governor Oshiomhole once ordered his arrest and prosecution for allegedly unilaterally ordering the demolition of buildings blocking Benin moat, which serves as natural drainage for the perennial flood in the City.

But it was believed in some quarters that Major Loye was arrested, hand-cuffed, detained and latyer charged to court basically for not sparing the building of the daughter of two time governor of old Bendel State, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia who is a staunch supporter of Comrade Oshiomhole.