In a surprising turn of events in Ebonyi State, Governor Francis Nwifuru has taken decisive action against six commissioners accused of sabotaging a housing project intended to mark his two-year anniversary in office.
The arrested officials include Professor Omari Omaka of Tertiary Education, Victor Chukwu of Environment, Ifeanyi Ogbuewu of Culture and Tourism, Uchenna Igwe of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Moses Ekuma of Health, and Felix Igboke of Project Monitoring.
The controversy centers around the construction of 140 housing units for the Izzo and Amaze communities, a key initiative of Governor Nwifuru’s administration. Reports indicate that the commissioners, along with the project contractors, failed to ensure the timely completion of the housing units, allegedly undermining the governor’s plans to showcase the achievement.
Adding to the shake-up, Mr. Timothy Nwachi, Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, has been suspended in connection with the scandal. Mrs. Maria Okohu, Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Mobilisation for Ebonyi Central and a member of the Executive Council Committee, condemned the non-completion of the projects as an “act of sabotage.” She pointed to the contractors’ delays and the commissioners’ lax supervision, despite clear directives from the government.
Governor Nwifuru, through the committee, has vowed to continue the crackdown, promising that arrests will persist until all implicated commissioners and contractors are held accountable and the necessary corrective actions are taken.