By Paul Joseph
The government of Ebonyi State has ordered the immediate arrest of contractors who failed to deliver on public projects, signaling a firm stance on accountability in infrastructure development.
The directive targets the 22-model secondary schools initiative and follows reports of slow progress and substandard work.
The decision emerged from a recent State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting chaired by Governor Francis Nwifuru.
Briefing journalists, Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Ikeuwa Omebeh, said the Council expressed strong dissatisfaction after reviewing project progress reports.
Contractors who had received payments but failed to reach the parapet level by March 4, 2026, are now subject to arrest, with funds paid expected to be recovered.
In addition, EXCO approved the termination of all uncompleted two-kilometre rural road projects where contractors either abandoned sites or delivered poor-quality work.
Supervisory committees had previously been tasked with verifying project claims before disbursements, highlighting the government’s zero-tolerance approach to financial mismanagement and project abandonment.
Beyond enforcement, the Council greenlit several development interventions. ₦300 million has been released as Ebonyi’s counterpart funding for the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) to enhance rural connectivity and agricultural value chains.
Additionally, ₦500 million will be spent on procuring 250 power tiller machines to boost mechanisation and productivity in the 2026 farming season.
On housing, EXCO proposed an Executive Bill to regulate landlord-tenant relations and cap agent fees at 2% of total rent. Another bill aims to regulate the sale, movement, and disposal of metal and electrical scraps to curb vandalism and improve public safety.
Education remains a priority, with reports indicating that 202 of 204 foreign scholarship beneficiaries have completed their Master’s degrees or secured doctoral placements. Another 84 students have departed for overseas studies.
EXCO also sanctioned participation in Waste-to-Energy and Solar-to-Energy projects, approved the construction of a modern clinic at Government House, and allocated ₦1.3 billion for air-conditioning installations at the Ebonyi State Trade Centre.
Furthermore, the Council approved the reconstruction of the palace of the late Dr. Akanu Ibiam to preserve the state’s cultural heritage.
The administration’s decisive actions underscore its commitment to transparent governance, infrastructure delivery, and sustainable development across Ebonyi State.
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