Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru has directed stringent disciplinary measures against top political appointees and high ranking civil servants in the state.

Biztellers reports that those affected include, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, who bagged an indefinite suspension, while three-month suspensions were handed to his counterpart in charge of health.

They were found guilty of misconduct and dereliction of duties.

Others now tasting the bitter taste of a three-month suspension are the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, the Executive Secretaries of the State Primarily Healthcare Development Agency and that of the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency.

This disclosure was made by the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Engr. Jude Okpor while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting at the New Government House Abakaliki.

Engr Okpor said, “Following cases of gross misconduct and dereliction of duties by some government officials and matters related thereto, the Chairman of Council directed the indefinite suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development and three (3) months suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Health respectively.

“In view of the development, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Health was directed to take charge of the ministry in the absence of the suspended Commissioner.”

Gov Nwifuru directed the suspended government officials to hand over all government properties in their possession including vehicles to the Secretary to the Government on or before the close of work on Monday, November 25, 2024.

Engr. Okpor said that the SEX has also commenced ministerial debates and defence for the MDAs, marking the commencement of the processes preceding the official presentation of the 2025 budget proposal to the House of Assembly for statutory legislative consideration and approval.

He stated that the Council further approved the Citizens budget participatory engagement which will take place on Wednesday, 27, 2024 at Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki, by 10:00am.

He further stated that the State Government has concluded plans for the State Broadcasting Corporation, EBBC to become a Public Liability Company registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), adding that with the development, staff of the establishments who no longer fit into the new administrative/independent configuration of the outfits are to be posted to other MDAs where their services are needed to further their careers.

“After an exhaustive deliberation on the administrative status of the State-owned Radio and Television Stations, the EBBC, the Council approved the ceding-off of the Corporation to become an independent outfit.

“The implication of this that, this is aimed at raising the productivity level of the corporation as well boosting accruable economic returns to the State Government. The same applies to the Ebonyi State Newspapers and Publishing Corporation, Nigerian Patriot,” he added.

The SEC noted that this reform is not in any way tilting towards sacking any member of staff of the establishments but sees this as a move to re-jig the outfits towards making them fully independent, business-oriented and self-reliant.

He further disclosed that the State Executive Council also directed the Head of Service to advertise for the positions of the Auditor General of the state and that of Local Government following existing vacancies.

Tensions flared at the Cross River State secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday, as members staged a protest over the ousting of the state chairman, Mr. Venatius Ikem.

The protest, which was organized by the party’s local government and ward chapters, saw demonstrators carrying placards with messages such as “Ikem must go,” “All wards and local governments chapter rejects Vena,” and “The decision of the Cross River State Working Committee (SWC) is the best for the party.”

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The protesters, led by the Calabar Municipality chairman, Mr. Bassey Asuquo, expressed strong opposition to any efforts to reinstate Ikem.

According to Asuquo, Ikem’s leadership had caused stagnation within the party and hindered its growth in the state.

Asuquo said, “We, the chapter leadership across the state, are in support of anything, including the removal of anyone, that will make the party grow. The national body must let Ikem go for the good of the PDP in Cross River. If he is reinstated, we will leave the party for him.”

The protest follows the removal of Ikem by the Cross River SWC two weeks ago, citing allegations of financial mismanagement, high-handedness, and ineptitude.

Despite this, Ikem has vehemently rejected the decision, claiming that his removal was unconstitutional and threatening legal action.

Deputy state chairman, Chief Dennis Nkiri, received the protesters and assured them that the party would prioritize its growth in any decisions moving forward. “The right thing will be done for the growth of the party,” Nkiri said.

PDP state Publicity Secretary, Mr. Mike Ojisi, also weighed in, likening the party’s situation to a sinking ship in need of immediate course correction. “We want Jonah to be removed from the boat for it not to sink,” Ojisi stated.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has commenced the monitoring of constituency projects worth N21 billion across Kaduna State.

The initiative, aimed at promoting accountability and transparency in the use of public funds, is part of the commission’s broader effort to tackle corruption and ensure the timely completion of government projects.

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Addressing journalists in Kaduna, Chief Superintendent Haruna Aminu, who represented the Constituency and Executive Tracking Department under the leadership of ICPC Chairman Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, revealed that the commission is currently tracking 60 projects across the state.

“We are here to track about 60 projects across Kaduna State with a total value of N21 billion. We started on Wednesday with the Kafanchan axis, where we tracked at least 21 projects.

“Now we are in Kaduna main town, Kabala area, focusing on projects such as solar-powered streetlights across the town,” Aminu said.

The ICPC team observed progress on some of the projects, but Aminu highlighted concerns over delays and execution challenges.

“Generally, on the solar project, we have seen a level of execution. However, we discovered certain shortcomings. This is a project that touches people’s lives, and we will ensure its completion,” he added.

Aminu stressed that contractors who fail to deliver on their obligations will be held accountable.

“There is no contractor that is going to be skipped. They cannot collect government money and abandon projects. The era of abandoned projects is over. We have clear directives and support to hold defaulters accountable,” he warned.

The delay in completing certain projects, particularly the solar-powered streetlights, has affected the intended impact on communities, Aminu noted.

“These projects are vital to improving livelihoods in Kaduna State. If completed last year as planned, they would have made a significant difference by now,” he said.

The ICPC announced that the next phase of the exercise would focus on taking action against contractors who fail to execute their projects.

The commission reiterated its commitment to ensuring that public funds translate into tangible benefits for citizens.