BENIN CITY — Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has redeployed the suspended Commissioner for Livestock Development, Prof. Omorodion Ikponmwosa, to the Ministry of Oil and Gas.
The development has reportedly surprised some government officials, coming weeks after Omorodion was suspended alongside the State Project Coordinator of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (LPRES) Project, Mrs. Ikpikhumi Aghaku, over an alleged “official infraction.”
Sources within the state government said the commissioner was not expecting the redeployment, particularly as no official explanation was immediately given for his recall.
A close aide to the governor said Omorodion was abroad when the suspension was announced.
“We were surprised when we heard that Prof. Omorodion had been redeployed. It was shocking news to him,” the aide said.
The latest development followed the governor’s approval of fresh postings and redeployments of members of the State Executive Council as part of efforts to strengthen governance, improve efficiency and enhance service delivery.
The Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor, said the administration had also increased the number of ministries in the state to 29 with the creation of the Ministry of Inter-Ethnic Relations.
According to Ikhilor, the new ministry is aimed at promoting inter-ethnic and inter-community harmony, strengthening peaceful coexistence and harnessing Edo’s diversity for the development and unity of the state.
The governor also approved the deployment of two newly sworn-in commissioners.
Mr. Iriabekhai Jeffery was posted to the Ministry of Mining, while Mr. Martin Anayochukwu Oli was deployed to the newly created Ministry of Inter-Ethnic Relations.
In the wider cabinet reshuffle, Commissioner for Communications, Ohimai Ehijimetor, was moved to the Ministry of Livestock Development.
Omorodion was redeployed from Livestock Development to the Ministry of Oil and Gas, while Mr. Andrew Momodu was moved from the Ministry of Oil and Gas to the Ministry of Communications.
The Secretary to the State Government said all the postings and redeployments took immediate effect.
The affected commissioners were directed to ensure a seamless handover and promptly assume their new responsibilities.
Credit: The Nation Newspaper except headline
