The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has suspended three Heads of Local Government Administration (HOLGA) over negligence and dereliction of duty.
The State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare disclosed this while briefing journalists after the weekly Executive Council (EXCO) meeting chaired by Governor Obaseki, at the Government House in Benin City.
The commissioner said the government’s ban of heavy duty vehicles of over 30 tonnes from plying state roads was still in force, noting that the local government heads were suspended for failing on their duties of protecting the government’s infrastructural assets.
He listed the suspended local government administrators to include the heads of Owan West, Owan East and Igueben local councils.
Nehikare added that the suspended council heads had refused to keep to the directive of the government instructing them not to allow heavy duty vehicles to pass through their areas.
According to Nehikhare, “To protect our roads, we have placed a ban on articulated vehicles weighing up to 30 tonnes from plying state roads, as the roads are not designed to carry vehicles weighing over 30 tonnes.
“These heavy duty vehicles are being used to destroy and damage our roads, especially those carrying cement, petrol, and diesel,” he said.