Gross misconduct: Gov. Nwifuru replaces suspended commissioners, others 

By Uchenna Okeh Abakaliki

The governor of Ebonyi State Francis Nwifuru on Wednesday, replaced the three commissioners who were suspended for gross misconduct and dereliction of duties.

The suspended commissioners; Chinedu Nkah of the ministry of water resources are to be replaced by the S.A on Water Resources, Franklin Ukah, and the former commissioner for health, Moses Ekuma are to be replaced by the SA on Primary Health, Sabinus Nwibo.

While the former commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Francis Ori is to be replaced by the SA on Water Resources, Franklin Ukah.

The commissioner for information and state orientation, Mr. Jude Okpor made this known while addressing newsmen on Wednesday.

Recall that the governor had suspended Commissioner for Water Resources, Chinedu Nkah and his Housing and Urban Development counterpart, Francis Ori indefinitely for misconducts and dereliction of duties.

Okpor explained that the directive  was to ensure that the business of governance does not suffer in the absence of the suspended Commissioners

He disclosed that the council has approved funds for the procurement and supply of 100 drums of 200 litres chemical foams compound for the state fire service to adequately equip the service in readiness of any eventuality in this dry season.

On rural electrification and  dualization of a section of Abakaliki-Ogoja highway from Onuebonyi to Nwezenyi junctions in the state, the Commissioner said “the Commissioner for Land and Survey approached the council with a memo on the schedule of compensation assessment on the unexhausted improvement/facilities affected by the dualization of a section of Abakaliki-Ogoja highway (from Onuebonyi junction to Nwezenyi junction).  

“The council considered the same and approved the sum of Three Hundred and Seventy-five Million, One Hundred and Nineteen Thousand, Ninety-six Naira Fifteen Kobo), (#375, 119, 096. 15) only for the purpose.  

“Exco further approved that it should be handled by the Engr. Ogbonnaya Obasi Abara-led Exco committee handling the payment of compensations for those affected by the ongoing construction of a flyover at Vanco. Reports on these assignments are to be presented separately to Exco.

“In furtherance of the State Government’s determination to restore public power supply to the entire Ebonyi South Senatorial zone and also boost economic growth in the state through the energization of the long abandoned 132/33KV substation at Amasiri, the council approved the release of a recoverable TCN guaranteed loan of USD781,235,67 N130,258,048.24 to ensure the completion of the double circuit 132KV line from Mile 50 to the Amasiri substation”.