Ebonyi Gov. arrests 6 commissioners, Afikpo Council Boss over alleged breach of contract term
Ngwuta Chinedu, Abakaliki
Ebonyi state Governor, Francis Nwifuru has ordered the arrest of six commissioners and the council Boss of Afikpo LGA just a few weeks to mark his two -year anniversary in the office as Governor of the state. The Governor was visibly angered by their inability to deliver the 140 housing units for the two war ravaged Communities in Ishelu LGA due for inauguration in few weeks.
Though, the commissioners were arrested for various degrees of bridge of contracts assigned to them
Those arrested include; “The Commissioner for Tertiary Education Professor Omari Omaka , Commissioner for Environment Victor Chukwu, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism Mr Ifeanyi Ogbuewu.
Others are: “Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters Uchenna Igwe, the Commissioner for Health Moses Ekuma,.Commissioner for Project Monitoring, Felix Igboke and the Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area Mr Timothy Nwachi”.
It was gathered that the affected commissioners before their arrest, were declared wanted by the state government.
The governor, Francis Nwifuru who spoke to newsmen in Abakaliki through the Chairman of State Executive Council Committee on Izzo and Amaze Housing Project, Ilang Donatus, shortly after the arrest of the embattled commissioners, said the government felt that the affected commissioners and contractors have breached the terms and conditions of the Contract given to them by the government.
The affected commissioners and the contractors are allegedly sabotaging the efforts and plan of the governor, Francis Nwifuru to commission the 140 Housing Units for Izzo and Amaze communities to mark his two years anniversary in the state.
According to Nwifuru: “The Governor is not happy over the pace of the work which ought to have been completed therefore the Government has decided to clamp down on the Contractors and Commissioners who were mandated to supervise those projects “
“As you can see, our Governor is a Man with a passionate heart, he likes giving succour, hence the building of those houses for the victims of the communal crisis. He is not happy that the project is delayed and has ordered the arrest of all the commissioners who were supposed to ensure the speedy completion of the housing Units ” he stated.
Responding, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Mobilisations, Ebonyi Central, Mrs Maria Okohu who is member of the Executive Council Committee said that non completion of those projects by the contractor and the failure of some of the Commissioner to strictly supervise them as directed by the Government is act of sabotage.
The governor, through the Committee, insisted that the arrest continues until all the commissioners and contractors involved are brought to book and as well do the needful.
It was gathered that the Nigeria Police has equally issued invitation letters to some of the fleeing commissioners and contractors who were not at home at the time of visit by the committee
