Group Hails Ebonyi Govt for Arresting Stakeholders Over Shoddy Jobs, Fund Diversion
A pro-democracy group, Turn -By-Turn Initiative has lauded Ebonyi State government for arresting stakeholders who have refused to execute projects awarded to them in the state.
The National Convener of the group, Comrade Ben Nworie noted that it was a clear sabotage for those influential stakeholders to divert funds meant for projects in their private pockets and refused to execute their projects.
He expressed dismay that some contractors deserted their various project sites during the last inspection exercise carried out by the state government for fear of arrest.
Comrade Nworie stressed that it was a welcomed development for a commissioner to order for the arrest and detention of these “political bigwigs” who felt untouchable whether they execute their contracts or not.
The National Convener further urged the State Governor, Francis Nwifuru to intensify efforts and arrest all other fleeing stakeholders who have abandoned their contracts and force them to refund the state government.
According to him: “we want to commend Ebonyi State government for walking their talks and arresting these influential stakeholders who felt untouchable even if they decide to embezzle their contract money. Their arrest and detention have served as deterrent to all contractors whether lowly or highly placed in the state”.
“Turn -By-Turn Initiative see it as a clear and total sabotage against the present administration in the state to collect monies for projects and refuse to execute the contracts”.
“As we learnt that some stakeholders are already fleeing to evade arrest but all efforts should be put on top gears to ensuring that law takes its full wrath on them”.
“It is shameful that after about 10 months that Governor Nwifuru awarded Ezillo-Ezzagu road, the slow pace of work has become alarming. The road project was a total failure as no sign of work. The contractor only work on the road if he hears that state government officials are coming for inspection”.
“These sabotage is not only limited to Ezillo-Ezzagu road. Other projects awarded to Ebonyi stakeholders are also abandoned and or poorly executed”.
The group also called on the state government to terminate some contracts and reward it to serious contractors in the state.
