Frankmoore Ike

Barely 24 hours after road sweepers in Edo State protested the non-payment of salaries, Governor Godwin Obaseki, has sacked the Commissioner of Environment and Sustainability, Reginald Okun.

The General Manager, Edo State Waste Management Board, Aiyamenkue Akonofua, has also been retired on the approval of the state governor.

In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, the governor gave the directive on Wednesday, adding that it is with immediate effect.

Ogie explained that the governor also directed that the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Mrs R.E. Obahiagbon to be redeployed.

While thanking the disengaged officials for their service to the state, Obaseki wished them well in their future endeavours and directed the officials to handover their assignments to the most senior government official in their offices with immediate effect.

They are also instructed to handover all government property in their possession to the appropriate authorities.

The street sweepers on Tuesday stormed the Government House in Benin, the state capital calling on the state government’s intervention over their unpaid salaries.

One of the sweepers, who spoke to Channels Television, said despite being owed, they have been dedicated to their jobs and going about their duties.

“We take transport from our house to where we sweep. I have not default one day on my job. I have been sweeping every day even on public holiday. I have been sweeping every day, even on Christmas and New Year,” she lamented. (Channels TV)

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