Ebonyi Governor Suspends Top Officials Over Misconduct

Ebonyi State Government Begins Preparations for 2025 Budget

“Following cases of gross misconduct and dereliction of duties by some government officials and matters...”

The Ebonyi State Government has begun preparations for the 2025 budget and approved the transformation of the State Broadcasting Corporation into a Public Liability Company

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has taken decisive action against several top officials in his administration. The Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development has been indefinitely suspended, while the Commissioner for Health will be suspended for three months. These suspensions are a result of allegations of misconduct and negligence in their duties.

In addition to the commissioners, three other high-ranking officials will also face three-month suspensions. These include the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, and the Executive Secretary of the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency. The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Engr. Jude Okpor, on Tuesday, November 26.

Governor Francis Nwifuru's swift action demonstrates his commitment to accountability and good governance. The suspensions follow a State Executive Council meeting held on Monday, November 25, at the New Government House in Abakaliki, the state capital.

“Following cases of gross misconduct and dereliction of duties by some government officials and matters related thereto, the Chairman of Council directed the indefinite suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development and three (3) months suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Health respectively.

“In view of the development, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Health was directed to take charge of the ministry in the absence of the suspended Commissioner,” the Commissioner said.

Governor Francis Nwifuru has ordered the suspended officials to return all government properties, including vehicles, to the Secretary to the State Government by the end of the workday on Monday, November 25, 2024.

“After an exhaustive deliberation on the administrative status of the state-owned radio and television stations, the EBBC, the Council approved the ceding off of the Corporation to become and independent outfit.

“The implication of this is aimed at raising the productivity level of the corporation as well boosting accruable economic returns to the State Government. The same applies to the Ebonyi State Newspapers and Publishing Corporation, Nigerian Patriot,” he added.

The Ebonyi State Government has initiated a series of steps to prepare for the 2025 budget proposal. According to Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Engr. Jude Okpor, the State Executive Council has kicked off ministerial debates and defenses for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). This move marks the beginning of the preparatory process for presenting the 2025 budget proposal to the State House of Assembly for legislative review and approval.

In addition to the ministerial debates, the Council has also approved a citizens' participatory budget engagement, which is scheduled to take place today, Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at the Ecumenical Centre in Abakaliki. This engagement aims to involve citizens in the budgeting process, ensuring that their needs and concerns are taken into account.

Furthermore, the State Executive Council has finalized plans to transform the State Broadcasting Corporation (EBBC) into a Public Liability Company registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). As part of this transformation, staff members who do not align with the corporation's restructured independent administration will be reassigned to other MDAs where their skills are needed, ensuring the continuation of their professional development.

The commissioner stressed that the ongoing reform is not aimed at dismissing staff members, but rather at revitalizing the organizations. The goal is to transform them into fully independent, business-focused, and self-sustaining entities.

As part of this effort, the State Executive Council has instructed the Head of Service to publicly advertise vacant positions, including the Auditor General for the state and the Auditor General for local governments. This move is expected to bring in fresh talent and expertise to help drive the reform agenda forward.