Managing Director of the Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS), Dr. Tony Ikpasajah, has been sacked by the state governor, Monday Okpebholo.

Ikpasajah was reportedly sacked over issues relating to the revocation of a 13, 545 hectares of land belonging to Presco Plc in Ologbo, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state.

Government sources said the governor was embarrassed that he had not been properly briefed on the issues.

The source, who confirmed the sack, said Ikpasajah has been issued an official letter relieving him of his appointment.

On Wednesday, the Edo State Government, in an advertorial, invoked Sections 28 and 38 of the Constitution to revoke the Presco land.

Barely 24 hours later, Secretary to the Edo State Government, Musa Ikhilor, said Ikpasajah acted unilaterally, without authorisation, and in complete disregard for established procedures and the actual number of hectares intended for excision from PRESCO PLC’s total landholding.

The statement said a formal administrative review has been initiated to address the unauthorised actions of the former EDOGIS Managing Director and to strengthen internal controls to prevent future breaches.

In other news, the Edo State government has said that the appointment of Permanent Secretaries (PSs) in the state civil service will now be strictly based on merit, rather than on imposition.

Deputy Governor of the state, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, said this when he presided over an expanded breakfast meeting of the Head of Service with Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) at the New Festival Hall, Edo State Government House.

Idahosa explained that discontinuing the appointment of non-career PS, as well as merit-based appointments of PS, would facilitate smooth career progression and also boost the morale of civil servants. He further noted that the era of appointing non-career civil servants as PS is over. He stated that the Sen. Monday Okpebholo-led administration is committed to ensuring that the state civil service is run solely by professionals.

“There was a time when consultants were used as permanent secretaries in the state. Governor Monday Okpebholo changed this narrative, and many civil servants have been elevated to positions of permanent secretaries,” he stated.

Idahosa assured them of job progression, pointing out that the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo was on the ground to right perceived wrongs of previous administrations.

He pointed out that the governor’s SHINE Agenda cannot succeed without the input and impact of civil servants.

He stated that the breakfast meeting provided an opportunity for direct communication between the political leadership and the state’s civil servants to build synergy in improving the workforce.