Ebonyi Govt. Denies Using Contracts To Empower Stakeholders

News Investigators/ The Ebonyi Government has debunked reports making the rounds  that it  was using contracts to empower stakeholders, especially influential ones in the state.

The State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Ikeuwa Omebe made the disclosure on Friday in Abakaliki, while addressing newsmen.

The Commossioner noted  that contract awards in the state were based on merit as bidding and awards pass through due processes at the state Bureau for Public Procurement.

“Contractors who meet the required criterias are awarded contracts as the government is a stickler to due process.

“The government however takes care of the state’s stakeholders, but definitely not through contracts,” he said.

He explained  that the government do not condone lackadiastical approach by contractors in projects execution, saying  that stringent actions have been taken in such regard, overtime.

“The state Executive Council (EXCO) during its last meeting, observed that most of the contractors handling 2km roads had either abandoned them after receiving payments or executed very poor jobs.

“The EXCO after an extensive deliberation, approved the immediate termination of all 2km roads not yet completed,” he said.

He recaled that the EXCO in its Feb.3, 2026 meeting, had noticed the slow pace of works at the road sites and consequently directed supervising committees to move to the sites.

“The committees were also directed. to make recommendations for the termination of jobs that were either not seriously on-going or poorly executed.

“The committees were further mandated to review all payment papers and certify them before payments are made,” he said.

Mr Omebe reiterated the government’s determination to complete strategic projects initiated by the previous administrations, which were of benefit to the people.

“The government received a request for engagement of a subcontractor for air-conditioning services at Ebonyi State Trade Centre Project.

“The EXCO approved the sum of N1.3 billion and directed immediate commencement of the air conditioning services at the Centre,” he said.

NAN