Ebonyi EXCO wields the big stick: Rogue contractors, greedy house agents, scrap vandals face crackdown

Business, Politics

ABAKALIKI, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 19, 2026 — The Ebonyi State Executive Council, in decisive sessions on March 4 and March 17, 2026, unleashed a wave of tough decisions to accelerate projects and clamp down on corruption, targeting education, agriculture, housing, rent regulation, and more.

In a release by Barrister Chief Ikeuwa Omebeh, Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, the council, chaired by Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, ordered the immediate termination of abandoned 2-kilometre rural road projects where contractors either fled after payment or delivered disgracefully poor work.

The EXCO also approved the release of Ebonyi State’s 10% counterpart funding of N300 million for RAAMP 2026.

To smash skyrocketing rent costs driven by fraudulent agents, the council proposed a groundbreaking bill regulating landlord-tenant agreements and criminalising agent fees above 2% of total rent.

In a bid to stop scrap dealers from vandalising public infrastructure, EXCO proposed a bill to regulate the buying, selling, possession, transportation, and disposal of metal and electrical scraps across the state.

Agriculture received a thunderous boost with N500 million approved for 250 Agricultural Power Tillers, set for distribution to farmers ahead of the 2026 farming season.

The EXCO was firm on the implmentyation of education reforms with a directive that contractors paid for 22 model secondary schools, but failing to reach parapet level must be arrested until funds are recovered.

The council cheered the success of its foreign scholarship programme of 204, of which 202 beneficiaries have completed their Master’s degrees and secured PhD admissions, most with distinctions. An additional 84 students recently departed, raising the total to 298, with 12 more set to leave between May and September 2026.

On energy, EXCO welcomed a Build-Operate-Donate proposal from the Chinese Municipal Council and partners to establish Waste-to-Energy and Solar-to-Energy projects at the Industrial City in Ezzamgbo, Ohaukwu Local Governmenty Area.

Health and infrastructure also gained momentum with N1.3 billion allocated for an ultra-modern clinic at Government House and remodeling of the Ebonyi Trade Centre.

Finally, in culture and tourism, EXCO approved the rebuilding of the palace of Eze Dr. Akanu Ibiam, the first indigenous Governor of the Eastern Region, to honour his legacy and inspire future generations.