Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has suspended the commissioner for agriculture and natural resources, Hon. Omoun Perekebena Perez over alleged infractions in the implementation of the Greenhouse Project by the State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
The governor also approved that the Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Bennett Ezon-Abode Agamah, to immediately proceed on compulsory leave.
Also ordered to proceed on compulsory leave are; Engr. Oki Preowei Yintareke, Assistant Director, Agricultural Engineering and Mr. Gabriel Idiatacheko, Chief Accountant in the ministry.
The suspension followed media reports accusing the suspended commissioner for agriculture of allegedly transferring ministry funds to private accounts in connivance with the Permanent Secretary.
The suspension was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu.
The statement reads in full:
“Arising from the outcome of the review of the implementation of the Greenhouse Project by the State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon Elder Sheriff F.O. Oborevwori has constituted a seven man committee chaired by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu to investigate the claims and perceived infractions related to the management of the scheme by the Ministry.
“According to a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, that consequent upon the interim report of the committee and in other to have an unimpeded access to information during the period of the investigations, the Governor, Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff F.O Oborevwori has approved the immediate suspension of Hon. Omoun Perekebena Perez, Hon. Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, while Messrs Bennett Ezon-Abode Agamah, Permanent Secretary; Engr. Oki Preowei Yintareke, Assistant Director, Agricultural Engineering and Mr. Gabriel Idiatacheko, Chief Accountant are to proceed on compulsory leave until further notice in line with Civil Service extant rules.
“The statement further added that the government’s action is in no way a presumption of guilt but rather a necessary measure to uphold the sanctity of the investigative processes already instituted which is to ensure that the investigation is conducted without any potential for undue influence or bias.”
