The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Youth Development, Sir. Owene Nwonodi and Directors in the Ministry have been accused of looting properties belonging to the ministry, and converting them to their personal belongings.
Properties carted away by the principal officers of the ministry include over one hundred set of computers and its accessories meant for the training of youths in the state.
The computer sets, scanners, printers and other accessories according to some eye witness account were moved out of the ministry by the Personal Assistants to the Commissioner, Mr. Elvis and other aides penultimate Friday.
The story has it that the computer equipment were procured for youth empowerment and training scheme in the state and was used only for once before the sudden change of its position and ownership from government to private.
A dependable source in the ministry who pleaded for anonymity expressed shocked over the commissioner’s action of forcefully acquiring such vital government properties to his private usage.
It was further gathered that the commissioner’s action was not unconnected with his political ambition to vie for chairmanship seat of Phlaga.
The dependable source equally hinted that the 2014 budgetary allocation to the ministry is yet to be seen not to mention its release for implementation as the commissioner has not disclosed to his subordinates anything relating to it.
Staff of the ministry who are worried over the development say the future of the youths in the state would be jeopardize if the commissioner’s actions are not checkmate and cautioned against appointing such character as Nwonodi to head such crucial ministry.
Worried by the looting which took place at broad day light at the secretariat complex, staff of the ministry and Rivers youths are calling for the removal of Sir. Owene Nwonodi and subsequent probe of his activities at the ministry.
Meanwhile, some directors who may have nothing to do with the allegation have dissociated self from the looting saga saying it is barbaric and inhuman to appropriate government properties like computer equipment into private business firm, and advised the commissioner to return the equipment.
All efforts to have the commissioner’s reaction or comment proved abortive as he was unable to react to an sms transmitted to him before going to press. ###
