By Crystal Nwakanma
Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has suspended two commissioners and other top officials over alleged gross misconduct and neglect of duties. The announcement was made in a press statement on Tuesday by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Jude Chikadibia-Okpor, as reported by Channels Television.
The suspended officials include Engineer Francis Ori, Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, who has been placed on indefinite suspension, and Dr. Moses Ekuma, Commissioner for Health and Social Development, who faces a three-month suspension. Additionally, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, along with the Executive Secretaries of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the State Health Insurance Agency, have all been placed on three-month suspensions.
In the interim, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Health has been tasked with overseeing the Ministry of Health during the absence of the suspended commissioner.
Okpor also announced that the suspended officials are required to hand over all government property, including vehicles, to the State Secretary of the Government by the close of business on Monday, November 25, 2024.
This move follows a previous indefinite suspension of Chinedum Nkah, the Commissioner for Water Resources, for neglecting his duties. Governor Nwifuru emphasized that his administration remains committed to fulfilling the people’s needs and maintaining accountability.