By Ngwuta Chinedu, Abakaliki
The Ebonyi state Commissioner, for Housing and urban Development, Francis Ori has vowed to take legal action against all Contractors who failed to complete their projects at the 140 Housing Estate Ebonyi state Government is constructing for the people of Izzo and Amaeze war victims in Ishielu LGA.
Ori made the pronouncement during the supervision of construction sites in Ishielu Local Government Area of the state.
Recall that Francis Ori was one of the Commissioners whose suspensions were lifted last week by the Governor of the state, Francis Nwifuru after three months.
Nwifuru had last year warned that some of the Commissioners who were unable to supervise government projects under them would be risking their jobs
Ori who announced the termination of all the buildings whose contractors are yet to be completed said their jobs will not only be revoked but also going to face legal actions for their inability to deliver on schedule.
“The Ebonyi State Government has revoked and terminated all building projects that has not been completed by the contractors at Izzo/Amaeze Housing Estate in Ishielu Local government Area of the State”
A press release Issued by the Public Relation Officer of the Ministry Solomon Alegu reads in parts:
“The honourable commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Francis Ori made this known to newsmen shortly after the joint measurements and evaluations by the ministry with the contractors at the project site on Wednesday 12th February, 2025”
“Ori who frowned at the low pace of work done by the contractors after the inspections and evaluations, said some of the contractors were not interested in delivering the jobs but rather, they were interested in collecting money from the state government. He pronounced that the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development will take over the jobs immediately”
” Ori after apologizing to all Ebonyians for such disappointment from the contractors, promised that the ministry will deliver the jobs within the shortest period of time. He assured that the state government will take legal actions against all contractors who failed in delivering their jobs not minding whoever, that is involved”
“We are taking over this contracts immediately and we will take legal actions against them. Nobody is above the law. No matter who is involved, they must come back and refund the state government”
“The Head, Department of Building and Engineering services in the ministry and Project manager, Simon Ukwuta expressed dissatisfaction over the non-compliance and poor delivery of jobs by some of the contractors even after collecting fifty percent contract sum, describing it as unethical and unprofessional”
“The Izzo/Amaeze Housing Estate in Ishielu Local government Area of Ebonyi State which has a total of 140 housing units was awarded in 2023 as the first capital project of the Governor Francis Nwifuru and was supposed to be completed within the period of one year”
“The commissioner alongside his team also visited the site for the construction of low-cost Estate consisting of 126 housing units for Ebonyi State public and civil servants at the Centenary City, Abakaliki”
“Ori commended the Executive Governor of the State for approving funds for the project as well as monitoring the project”
“He expressed satisfactions on the level of work done in the site, assuring that in three months time from now, the project will be completed as instructed by the Governor. He appreciated the Special Assistant to the Governor on Housing and Urban Development,Patrick Enyi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Darlington Mbam and other technical officers for ensuring quality work is done at the site”