The Ebonyi State Government has dismissed claims that Governor Francis Nwifuru ordered the arrest of five commissioners due to delays in the delivery of state housing projects and alleged breaches of contract.
In a statement issued in Abakaliki, Chief Donatus Ilang, Chairman of the Ebonyi Executive Council (EXCO) Committee on Supervision and Completion of two state housing projects, refuted the reports, labeling them as “false and unfounded.”
“No commissioner was arrested and you can confirm this from the police and other security agencies.
“The people writing such fake news are doing so from their imagination,” Ilang stated.
The housing projects in question include 140 housing units meant for the Izzo and Amaze communities, which were displaced due to the Ezilo/Ezza Ezilo communal crisis in Ishielu Local Government Area.
“We informed them of the state governor’s displeasure over delays in the project and resolved to take drastic actions on the defaulters,” Ilang added.
He further explained that the commissioners involved had pledged to provide the necessary details to the committee to enable them to address issues with the contractors.
“The governor is desirous to give the people of both communities, affected by a fratricidal communal conflict, housing reprieves.
“We gave all persons involved in the projects time to comply with the contractual terms.
“Our mandate is to ensure that the governor’s noble intentions towards people of both communities are actualized, and we would not toy with such,” he emphasized.
Additionally, the Ebonyi Police Command also denied the alleged arrests.
In an interview, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed:
“We did not arrest any commissioner,” he said.
The housing project, initiated by the state government, aims to address the housing needs of those affected by past communal conflicts in the state.
