Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has taken decisive action by ordering the arrest of six commissioners over their alleged failure to comply with the contractual agreements related to the construction of 140 housing units for the Izzo and Amaze communities.
The affected commissioners include Professor Omari Omaka (Tertiary Education), Victor Chukwu (Environment), Ifeanyi Ogbuewu (Culture and Tourism), Uchenna Igwe (Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters), Moses Ekuma (Health), and Felix Igboke (Project Monitoring). In addition to these arrests, the Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, Timothy Nwachi, has been suspended from office.
Reports suggest that prior to the arrests, the state government had issued a public notice declaring the commissioners wanted due to their involvement in the contract violations.
During a press briefing in Abakaliki, Governor Nwifuru, represented by Ilang Donatus, the Chairman of the State Executive Council Committee on the Izzo and Amaze Housing Project, stated that the government was dissatisfied with the lack of progress in the project. He emphasized that both the commissioners and contractors had failed to meet their obligations, thereby hindering the timely completion of the housing units.
The governor’s vision was to inaugurate the housing project in commemoration of his second year in office. However, delays in execution have frustrated this plan.
“The governor is deeply concerned about the slow pace of work on this project, which should have been completed by now. The administration has therefore resolved to take firm action against both the contractors and the commissioners responsible for overseeing the project,” Donatus said.
He further reiterated Governor Nwifuru’s commitment to supporting vulnerable communities, highlighting that the housing initiative was designed to provide relief for victims affected by communal conflicts.
Maria Okohu, Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Mobilization for Ebonyi Central and a member of the Executive Council Committee, described the delay as an act of sabotage. She pointed out that certain commissioners had failed in their supervisory roles, allowing the contractors to neglect their duties.
The government, through the committee, has made it clear that arrests will continue until all individuals involved are held accountable and corrective measures are put in place. Additionally, reports indicate that the Nigeria Police have dispatched invitation letters to other commissioners and contractors who were absent during the committee’s inspection.
Governor Nwifuru’s administration remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that government projects are executed with integrity and efficiency, sending a strong message that negligence and mismanagement will not be tolerated.
