A pro-democracy group, Turn by Turn Initiatives has called on Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru to reshuffle his cabinet and sack all under-performing appointees.
The group also tasked the governor to arrest and prosecute contractors that have refused to execute various projects in the state.
In a statement issued by the National Convener of the group, Comrade Benjamin Nworie, the group also charged the governor to initiate legal means to facilitate the recovery of all funds in the disposal of erring contractors.
Comrade Nworie expressed regrets that all the good intentions of the Nwifuru administration were becoming a mirage, due to the nefarious activities of various individuals handling government projects in the state.
He noted that most of the projects awarded by the present administration were either abandoned or executed sluggishly, resulting in the criticisms of the governor.
“We received with great delight the reported arrest and detention of the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Project Monitoring, Chukwuma Nwiboko over alleged diversion of funds for projects.
“We commend the governor for this courage and boldness which will definitely spur others into action. It will serve as deterrent to anyone who thinks that he or she will hide under any cover or relationship to undermine Governor Francis Nwifuru’s administration.
“It’s regrettable and unspeakable that many projects are either abandoned or executed in a very shameful and slow pace. For about two years that Nwifuru’s government awarded the construction of 2 kilometres of roads in Ebonyi communities, awarded the construction of the residence of traditional rulers, construction of the Ezillo-Ezzagu Road, and many other projects in the state, these projects have remained a shadow of themselves.
“It is high time that the governor wield the big stick against all erring contractors. The tempo with which the past administration left the state is dwindling because of the softness and humane approach of the Nwifuru’s administration. Ebonyi state can’t continue this way”.
“It is highly unfortunate and condemnable that most of the contractors take the governor and his government for granted, by shunning meetings and deserting project sites anytime there’s government supervisions.
Read also: Ohanaeze hails Gov. Nwifuru’s award of overseas scholarship to 204 Ebonyi youths
“The only option left for Governor Francis Nwifuru is to arrest, prosecute and terminate all projects awarded to erring contractors and force them to refund all funds,” the group stated.
The national convener also called on the governor to consider reshuffling his cabinet and sacking underperforming appointees.
“Turn by Turn Initiative advocates for the total overhaul of Nwifuru’s cabinet. Some of his appointees do not know the policy trust of his administration. Some of the commissioners and appointees do not know the work schedule of their various ministries and that is why it seems that the government is stagnant.
“We make bold to say that with the crop of appointees, no meaningful progress may be made till the end of this administration. It is more worrisome that the close allies and kinsmen of the governor are the ones sabotaging his government.
“We want to commend the governor for his beautiful policies, programmes and initiatives, but he needs competent hands to drive them to fruition,” Comrade Nworie emphasized.
