Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has ordered the arrest of six commissioners over their alleged involvement in irregularities surrounding a contract for the construction of 140 housing units for the Izzo and Amaze communities.
Naija News reports that the officials taken into custody 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).
Additionally, Timothy Nwachi, Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, has been suspended.
According to sources, the state government had previously declared the commissioners wanted before their eventual arrest.
Speaking to the press in Abakaliki, Ilang Donatus, Chairman of the State Executive Council Committee on the Izzo and Amaze Housing Project, conveyed the governor’s dissatisfaction, stating that both the commissioners and contractors failed to meet their contractual obligations.
“The governor is displeased with the slow pace of work, which should have been completed by now. He has therefore taken decisive action against the commissioners and contractors responsible for overseeing the project,” Donatus stated.
Governor Nwifuru had intended to commission the housing project to mark his second anniversary in office. However, delays in execution have been perceived as a deliberate act of sabotage.
Maria Okohu, Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Mobilization for Ebonyi Central, emphasized that inadequate supervision by certain commissioners and contractors’ failure to deliver on time have undermined the administration’s efforts.
The governor’s committee has warned that further arrests will continue until all those responsible are held accountable. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police have reportedly issued invitations to additional commissioners and contractors who were absent during the committee’s recent visit.
Credit: NaijaNews except headline
