From: Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan
Oyo State Government-owned Pacesetters Transport Services (PTS), , has placed a driver (names withheld) under close watch over alleged siphoning 33 litres of diesel from a 50-seater government commercial bus, popularly known as Ajumose.
The driver was said to have committed the offence on April 16, 2017 at Arapaja area, Old Ijebu-Ode Road, in Oluyole Local Government Area of the state. The bus was marked: OY 15 A28.
An officer of a non-governmental organisation, Corrupt Practices Eradication Organisation of Nigeria (COPEON), was said to have been at the scene of the crime and recorded the illegal transaction with another person alongside the driver.
Director of Administration of COPEON, Rev. (Dr.) Benjamin Oluwabusuyi, said the video clip of the offence was copied on several devices and copies sent to Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
The governor was said to have referred the case to the Executive Secretary, Bureau of Investment Promotion, Oyo State, Mr. Yinka Fatoki.
Fatoki was appointed 14 months ago by the governor to manage the PTS, following the dissolution of the board of PTS, along with other boards in the state.
Reacting to the report, Fatoki said the driver was identified in the video clip and had since been queried, adding that a panel has been set up to probe the driver and the ticket vendor of the bus. T
he bus, according to him, was not designated for Arapaja route on the fateful day, saying the panel would submit its report before the end of the week.
He also noted that the salaries of all staff of PTS have been paid up to April 2017, wondering why such act would be carried out by the driver.
He said that board of PTS was dissolved in March 2016 when the company was insolvent and owed salaries.
Fatoki, who appealed to the public to always hold their tickets whenever they board any Ajumose bus, stated that he has settled the N70 million debt left behind by the former management of PTS and has also saved over N65 million in fixed deposit for the company in the past 14 months.
According to him, the rationale behind the savings was to evolve a sustainable arrangement for replacement of the buses. He added that he has also introduced budgeting system to the company to ensure that it is properly managed in order to ensure transparency, accountability and probity.
He noted that when he took over the management of the company in 2016, half of the buses the company has were grounded “and we have repaired substantial number among them, and they are back on the road.” He enjoined people to see themselves as stakeholders in government business.
Fatoki, had two months ago, held a meeting with the staff of PTS at Eleyele, Ibadan, where he read riot act to the workers, warning them to desist from stealing tyres, diesels and other property of the company, saying that anybody caught would be summarily dismissed.
His words: ” Anybody found wanting will be summarily dismissed. We have zero tolerance for pilferage, theft, and all manners of corruption.”