Government offices in Edo State are not personalised and are often subject to change as is expedient for smooth administration of the State, a source close to Edo State Government House, who is familiar with administrative matters, has said.
He noted that the official channel of communication within government is through the civil service and that the directive to the Office of the Deputy Governor notifying them of the relocation of the office accommodation of the Deputy Governor suffices and applies to all who work from the old office.
A letter was written to the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Governor weeks ago by the Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa Esq., directing officials in the Office of the Deputy Governor to relocate to the new location on No, 7, Dennis Osadebe Avenue, GRA, Benin City.
“That letter is sufficient in informing everyone working out of the Office of the Deputy Governor that they have been relocated. In fact, many of the workers have moved their work tools to the new site. It is therefore disingenuous for the Deputy Governor to claim that he is not aware that the office has been relocated.”
The source, who faulted the claim by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Philip Shaibu, that he was not informed of the relocation of his office, stated that the Deputy Governor cannot justify not being informed personally because the office he occupies is not personal.
According to him, when the Governor goes, the office of the Governor remains and same for the Deputy Governor.
According to the source, “The people he calls my civil servants are not his civil servants but they are Edo State Government workers working in the office of the Deputy Governor to carry out activities and assist the Deputy Governor in the performance of duties assigned to him by the Governor as there is no constitutional role for the office of the Deputy Governor.
“When a letter is written to that office for relocation, it means that everything and everyone including the Deputy Governor, moves with them. The Deputy Governor cannot justify not being informed personally because the office is not personal.”
The source further noted that before now since the relocation, the Deputy Governor worked from his house and so how can he now say he was not informed of the relocation of the office.
“The sudden defiance on his part as noticed in the preceding week, prompted the letter of 15th September 2023, which was written to the Deputy Governor directly and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq. reiterating the directive for the relocation of his office,” he added.
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