Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has ordered the arrest of six commissioners over their alleged involvement in the breach of contract for the construction of 140 housing units for Izzo and Amaze communities. The detained 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.
Before their arrest, the commissioners had been declared wanted by the state government. Speaking to reporters in Abakaliki, Ilang Donatus, Chairman of the State Executive Council Committee on the Izzo and Amaze Housing Project, explained that the affected officials and contractors had violated the contract terms. He stated that Governor Nwifuru is displeased with the delay in completing the housing project, which was intended to be commissioned in celebration of his two-year anniversary in office.
“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 those projects,” Donatus said. He emphasized that the governor, who is deeply committed to providing relief for the victims of communal crises, considers the delay a deliberate act of sabotage.
The Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Mobilization, Ebonyi Central, Mrs. Maria Okohu, also condemned the non-completion of the projects, calling it a failure in supervision. The governor, through the committee, has vowed to continue the arrests until all those responsible are held accountable. Reports indicate that the Nigeria Police have also issued invitations to some fleeing commissioners and contractors who were absent when the committee visited their residences.