A wave of unease has swept through Ebonyi State’s political circles following Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru’s directive mandating all government appointees to present their official vehicles for inspection.
The announcement, issued Thursday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Grace Umezuruike, requires commissioners, special assistants, senior special assistants, permanent secretaries, and members of state boards and commissions to physically present all government-assigned vehicles for verification.
“His Excellency, our dear Governor, Right Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has directed that all government officials who have been allocated one or more vehicles, be it an official or utility vehicle or both, should physically present the vehicle/s to the office of the SSG,” the statement read.
The inspection exercise will be conducted in phases:
Friday, August 8: Principal officers and commissioners
Saturday, August 9: Senior special assistants and permanent secretaries
Monday, August 11: Special assistants, members of boards and commissions
All inspections will take place at the SSG’s office between 10 a.m. and 12 noon.
Officials who fail to comply will have their names forwarded to the governor for further action. “His Excellency also directed that names of those who fail to present their cars be compiled and sent to him,” Umezuruike added.
The governor’s move comes in the wake of public scrutiny over the alleged misuse of official assets. A Facebook post by public affairs analyst Nwoba Nwoba recently accused a serving commissioner of selling off a government vehicle, calling on Governor Nwifuru to investigate.
Public reaction has been mixed. A resident, speaking anonymously, expressed support for the governor’s decision.
“My brother, what do you expect? How do you expect a senior special assistant who has never in his life driven any car to be driving a car worth over N100 million and still be a tenant in someone’s house?” he said.
He suggested that some officials may have sold the vehicles to fund personal projects: “It is expected that some of them might have sold the car and used the money to buy a cheaper car and also start a building project in Abakaliki.
“It will be disgraceful that you will serve as a commissioner and finish your tenure and still be a tenant.”
However, he added a note of caution: “If the official sold the car and bought another, cheaper car befitting of his status, I don’t see anything wrong with that.
“But if they sold the car and used the money on frivolities, then whatever decision the governor takes is justifiable.”
The audit is widely seen as part of the governor’s effort to enhance accountability and protect public resources.
