Ebonyi Gov’t Blacklists 29 Firms Over Substandard, Delayed Jobs

The Ebonyi State Government said a total of 29 contracting firms handling the Izzo and Amaeze Autonomous Communities’ 140 housing units in Ishielu Local Government Area of the state have been blacklisted and barred from executing further contract in the state till the end of the administration.

The estate, the state said was conceived to resettle the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) during the Ezza, Ezillo Communal crisis that led to the death of many persons and destruction of properties worth billions.

Briefing Journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting held at the New Government House in Abakaliki, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Engr. Jude Okpor maintained that Council considered the report on the performance of different contractors handling the jobs before the decision to blacklist them.

“Council approved the blacklisting of the contractors for unsatisfactory performance and barred them from executing further contracts till the end of the present administration,” Okpor said.

He said that no contractor, no matter how highly placed would be allowed by the administration to unnecessarily delay government project.

Okpor who did not name the firms, however said that the State Government is keen on commissioning major projects embarked upon, adding that no excuse would be accepted for any delay in contract execution already paid for by the government.

On the Effium/Ezza Effium Communal crisis, Engr. Okpor said that Council set up a Peace Committee to liaise with the earlier constituted Implementation Committee and concerned ministries to actualise the Government White Paper on the restoration of permanent peace between the two warring communities.

Okpor said that the committee will be headed by the former Minister of Culture and Tourism, Amb. Frank Ogbuewu while a Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Abraham Nwali will serve as Secretary.

He said that Governor Francis Nwifuru re-emphasised that his administration will continue do everything within its powers to ensure peace in all parts of the state.

The Commissioner assured that the government would ensure the implementation of the approved recommendations contained in the White Paper within the limit of the state to restore lasting peace between the feuding communities.