From Tony Osauzo, Benin
The Edo State House of Assembly has announced the sack of all political appointees attached to members of the House.
The Speaker, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, announced their dismissal during plenary, saying that the decision was taken collectively by the 24 members of the House. He added that the sacked political appointees would be paid their February salary.
He listed the appointees to include special advisers (SAs), senior special advisers (SSAs), among others.
The Speaker said the appointees were appointed by the members upon the assumption of the Eighth Assembly in June 2023.
“I think it is two years now, and I think the House has graciously agreed that those sets of appointees, SAs and SSAs, should be relieved of their appointments today, February 19.
“We will meet consequently to know the next line of action to take on that. They will receive this month’s February salary,” he said.
During plenary, the Assembly also passed a resolution urging that security personnel who have spent over five years in a locality across the state be transferred forthwith.
The resolution followed a security motion raised by the member representing Esan South-East Constituency, Osezua Ojezele, who drew the attention of lawmakers to the alarming activities of criminal herdsmen in Ubiaja. The resolution also made it mandatory for traditional rulers to reside in their communities henceforth.
In another development, the House passed a bill for a law to establish the State Roads Funds (SRF) and the Edo State Roads Funds Board and Administration (EDSRFBA) for the purpose of funding the management, planning, development, rehabilitation, construction, and maintenance of Class C and Class D roads and the rehabilitation of Class B roads in Edo State.
Similarly, the House passed a bill for a law to establish the Edo Rural Access Road Agency (RARA) for the purpose of the overall management, development, rehabilitation, reconstruction, and maintenance of Class C and Class D roads in Edo State.