By Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki
Governor Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has decried the wanton abandonment of the federal government projects in the Southeast states and attributed the causes to fund diversions and poor supervision by the contractors.
The governor blamed contractors and Engineers for poor supervision of projects in Nigeria especially in the South East region of the country.
Nwifuru observed this while playing host to the Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi with his entourage who paid him a courtesy visit as part of his ongoing tour of Federal Road projects across the country.
He expressed sadness over the handling of rehabilitation work on the Abakaliki – Afikpo road where the contractor allegedly siphoned funds meant for the project without execution.
The Ebonyi governor also appealed to the Federal government to refund money expended in the construction of federal roads in the state.
He noted that the refund of the expended money would enable his administration to channel the funds towards the construction of other critical infrastructure begging for attention in the State.
“Our major problem in this country is one not knowing his job schedule and that is why we have shoddy jobs everywhere. All constructions should be channeled to the Federal Ministry of Works because they have all the manpower and capacity to do quality jobs,” he hinted.
Nwifuru commended former Governor Umahi, his predecessor for laying a solid infrastructural base upon which he is currently advancing the development of the state as governor.
“Under his (Umahi’s) watch, the money of Ebonyi circulated within Ebonyi, he got the raw materials from Ebonyi and he used locals to do the job,” he said.
Umahi had earlier congratulated Governor Ogbonna Nwifuru for his outstanding performance within his first 100 days in office.
“Your Excellency, I congratulate you on your 100 days in office. In 100 days you have defined your direction and focus, so I commend you and I want you to be focused and do everything to carry all shades of the State together,” the Minister said.
While calling on Ebonyi people to continue to support Governor Nwifuru to transform their state, Umahi assured of cooperating with him to attract more democracy dividends to the people from the Federal government.
“Your Excellency we bring you renewed hope. First is to congratulate the State for the victory of President Tinubu.
“We have to key into the centre to be treated like others. Now that Mr. President has graciously done what has never been done by giving us the Minister of Works, we are going to rewrite the wrongs”, he added.
