The Ebonyi State Government has ordered the immediate arrest of contractors who failed to meet contractual obligations on the ongoing 22 model secondary schools project despite receiving public funds, in a sweeping decision aimed at enforcing accountability in public infrastructure delivery.
The directive was part of resolutions reached at the State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting presided over by Governor Francis Nwifuru.
Briefing journalists after the meeting on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Barrister Ikeuwa Omebeh, said Council expressed strong dissatisfaction with the slow pace and poor quality of work on the school upgrade programme after reviewing progress reports.
According to him, EXCO resolved that any contractor who had received payment for the construction or upgrade of the 22 model secondary schools but failed to reach parapet level at their project sites as of March 4, 2026, should be arrested pending recovery of the funds paid to them.
He said the decision reflects the administration’s zero-tolerance for contract abandonment, financial misconduct, and substandard execution, especially in the education sector.
In a related move, EXCO approved the termination of all uncompleted 2-kilometre rural road projects where contractors either abandoned the sites after payment or delivered substandard work.
The Council recalled that supervisory committees were earlier mandated to carry out on-the-spot assessments and verify all payment claims before further disbursements.
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Beyond enforcement measures, the Council approved several development interventions across key sectors.
In rural development, EXCO noted the release of ₦300 million as Ebonyi State’s 10 percent counterpart funding for the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) for the 2026 fiscal year to improve rural connectivity and agricultural value chains.
Council also approved ₦500 million for the procurement of 250 power tiller machines for farmers ahead of the 2026 farming season to boost mechanisation, productivity and youth participation in agriculture.
To address housing concerns, EXCO proposed an Executive Bill to regulate landlord-tenant relations and cap house agents’ fees at two percent of total rent, while another bill will regulate the sale, movement and disposal of metal and electrical scraps to curb vandalism and enhance public safety.
On education, the Council received a progress report on the foreign scholarship scheme, noting that 202 out of 204 beneficiaries had completed their Master’s degrees and secured doctoral admissions, while 84 new students have departed for overseas studies.
EXCO also approved Ebonyi’s participation in a Waste-to-Energy and Solar-to-Energy project with foreign partners, ratified the construction of an ultra-modern clinic at Government House, and sanctioned ₦1.3 billion for air-conditioning installation at the Ebonyi State Trade Centre.
Council further approved the reconstruction of the palace of the foremost Statesman late Dr. Akanu Ibiam to preserve the state’s cultural heritage.
