Governor Nwifuru Orders Arrest Of Six Commissioners Over Alleged Contract Breach.
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has ordered the arrest of six commissioners and the suspension of a local government chairman over an alleged breach of contract for 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). Additionally, the Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, Mr Timothy Nwachi, has been suspended.
Allegations of sabotage
The state government declared the commissioners wanted before their arrest. Speaking in Abakaliki, the Chairman of the State Executive Council Committee on the Izzo and Amaze Housing Project, Ilang Donatus, stated that the government believed the officials and contractors had violated the terms of the contract awarded to them.
“The governor is not happy over the pace of the work, which ought to have been completed. The government has decided to clamp down on the contractors and commissioners who were mandated to supervise these projects,” Donatus said.
Governor Nwifuru had planned to commission the housing units to mark his two-year anniversary in office. However, delays in completing the project have frustrated these plans.
Government’s firm stance
The Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Mobilisation, Ebonyi Central, Mrs Maria Okohu, described the delays as an act of sabotage. She criticised both the contractors and the commissioners for failing to meet the government’s expectations.
The governor, through the committee, has vowed that the arrests will continue until all responsible officials and contractors are held accountable.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police have issued invitation letters to some of the contractors and commissioners who were absent when the committee visited their homes.
