By Odita Sunday
The Delta State Government has constituted an eight-member Administrative Panel of Inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Adeda Ekwevugbe.
The government, in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Eze Emu, said the death occurred under unclear circumstances at the deceased’s workplace.
According to the statement issued on September 25, the incident had generated serious concerns among the deceased’s colleagues, sections of the state public service, organised labour and the state government.
The government said the Police had already commenced investigation into the incident, adding that it consulted with organised labour before jointly agreeing to constitute an administrative panel to further examine the circumstances surrounding the death.
The eight-member panel is chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service, Mrs Charity Ehimen.
Other members are the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr Mamuzo Erebe, SAN; Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Lucky Nkemachor; and Executive Assistant to the Governor, Public Service, Sir A.E. Oghoro.
The panel also includes Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Delta State, Comrade Goodluck Ofobruku; Chairman, Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), Comrade Chief Benson Efeotor; Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Wilson Asekutu; and Secretary, JNC, Comrade Dennis Chuks Isichei, who will serve as Member/Secretary.
The government mandated the panel to investigate and establish the circumstances surrounding Ekwevugbe’s death and submit its findings within two weeks.
It said the exercise was intended to enable the government to address all issues arising from the incident fairly and within the scope of the law.
“Meanwhile, government deeply commiserates with the family of our deceased colleague while also assuring Civil Servants of the safety of our work environment and our abiding respect for the dignity and sanctity of life,” the statement said.
The government urged civil servants to remain assured of its commitment to the safety of the workplace, even as the Police investigation and administrative inquiry proceed.
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