Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has ordered the arrest of six commissioners over their alleged involvement in breaching a contract for the construction of 140 housing units for the Izzo and Amaze communities.
The arrested officials include, Professor Omari Omaka (Tertiary Education), Victor Chukwu (Environment), Ifeanyi Ogbuewu (Culture and Tourism), Uchenna Igwe (Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters), Moses Ekuma (Health), Felix Igboke (Project Monitoring)
In addition, the Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, Mr. Timothy Nwachi, has been suspended.
Reports indicate that these commissioners were declared wanted by the state government before their eventual arrest.
Speaking to journalists in Abakaliki, the Chairman of the State Executive Council Committee on the Izzo and Amaze Housing Project, Ilang Donatus, explained that the government took action due to violations of the contractual terms.
According to sources, the arrested officials and contractors were accused of sabotaging Governor Nwifuru’s plans to commission the housing units as part of his administration’s second-anniversary celebrations.
“The governor is deeply disappointed with the slow pace of the project, which should have been completed by now. He has, therefore, decided to take action against the contractors and commissioners responsible for overseeing the work,” Donatus stated.
He further emphasized the governor’s commitment to providing relief for victims of communal crises, which was the primary goal of the housing project.
Adding to this, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Mobilization (Ebonyi Central), Mrs. Maria Okohu, described the delay in project completion and the failure of commissioners to ensure proper supervision as an act of sabotage.
The governor, through the committee, has vowed to continue the crackdown until all responsible commissioners and contractors are held accountable and the project is completed as required.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police have issued invitation letters to some fleeing commissioners and contractors who were absent during the committee’s visit.
