By Judex Okoro, Calabar
Director General of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, CR-SEMA, Angela Ogeyi Odey, has been suspended from office. Odey was suspended via a release dated Monday, October 30, 2023 signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Emmanuel Ogbeche.
The statement read in part: “The governor of Cross River State, Bassey Edet Otu, has ordered the immediate suspension of the Director General of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Angela Ogeyi Odey.
“Consequently, the DG has been directed to hand over to the most senior director in the Agency before close of work today, Monday, October 30, 2023.” The release further directed that “during the period of her suspension, she is requested not to be engaged covertly or overtly, in the administration of the SEMA except otherwise directed by His Excellency.”
The release did not state reasons for the suspension, but Daily Sun findings reveal that Odey was suspended over gross misconduct.
The suspended DG had in a statement dated Sunday, October 29, 2023 approved the appointment of 14 personal aides into SEMA without consulting with the governor, which is seen in government circles as abuse of office.
It was also learnt that the DG has been having a running battle with the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs. Helen Egom Isamoh, and some top civil servants in SEMA. A top civil servant in SEMA, who dose not want his name in print, revealed it is not in SEMA’s policy and framework to contain those appointments even as she even put off duties expected of civil servants.
According to him, “SEMA has a constitutional MGT team headed by a political chairman appointed by the governor, and a secretary who is the DG and three directors on part time. The stakeholders are drawn from relevant agencies that have something to do with disaster.” The source further revealed that the DG didn’t follow due process neither did she consult, adding that it’s outside her preview to announce state appointments. It was also revealed that SEMA is supervised directly by the office of the Deputy Governor, but said the suspended DG dismantled the structure and was working solo.
Culled from Daily Sun
