Ebonyi Commissioners Suspended

Three Commissioners and other appointees of Government were suspended by Governor Francis Nwifuru for dereliction of duties.

The Honourable Commissioners for Health (Dr. Moses Ekuma), Housing and Urban Development (Engr. Francis Ori), and Chinedum Nkah (Water Resources) Ebonyi State, are currently on suspension on the orders of the Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.

The Commissioner for Health, who was suspended alongside the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Health, the Executive Secretary of Primary Health, and the Executive Secretary of the Health Insurance Scheme, will serve a three-month suspension, while the Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Health will take over the Ministry in the interim.

Their suspension was an offshoot of the incident on Saturday, November 23, 2024, when the Governor intercepted ministry staff selling materials meant for the Primary Health Centres and General Hospitals in the State.

During the Executive Council meeting on Monday, November 25, 2024, the Governor extended the same hammer to the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Francis Ori for gross misconduct. The Commissioner for Water Resources, Chinedum Nkah had earlier been served his suspension following similar reasons.

Governor Nwifuru has insisted that his administration will henceforth not spare anyone who is found wanting in his or her duties, especially, as it concerns meeting the needs of Ebonyi people.