This appeal was particularly focused on dismissing Commissioner Anthony Mgbeahuruike based on some allegations regarding the mishandling of funds earmarked for anthrax vaccination for cattle to prevent the spread of anthrax in the state.
This call was voiced during a press briefing in Owerri on Tuesday, prompted by reports of the planned anthrax vaccination not being executed as scheduled.
The allegations and counter-accusations have ignited a heated debate, initially stemming from accusations of fund embezzlement targeting certain staff members. In response, these staff members argue that the commissioner failed to release the necessary funds to conduct the vaccination.
Many employees of the ministry, for fear of potential repercussions, preferred to remain anonymous, expressing their concerns about potential negative consequences when dealing with the commissioner.
According to them, they alleged that; “We are not happy with the actions being taken by the commissioner regarding the ongoing Anthrax vaccination programme in the state which is aimed at vaccinating animals against the spread of Anthrax in the state. As a result of the mismanagement of funds it stalled the vaccination activities that should have been carried on the animals across the state. It never happened.
“What is happening in the ministry is an eyesore, we don’t even know why the Governor has refused to look critically into what is happening in our ministry, the commissioner is just here to siphon money and cause problem for the state government, very soon I believe his cup will be full.
“The purported Anthrax vaccination in Imo is a huge fraud, nothing was done. The Anthrax vaccination exercise is just a fluke and its objectives were never achieved. The poor management of the funds budgeted for the Anthrax vaccination affected the exercise seriously. The Governor should set up an independent Committee to look into how the Anthrax vaccination funds were handled.”
Reacting, the Commissioner for Livestock and Development, Anthony Mgbeahuruike, shortly said: “There is no evidence to that report.”
