BY AGNES NWORIE, ABAKALIKI
The Government of Ebonyi State has blacklisted seven contractors working on its Universal Basic Education projects for alleged sabotage.
Special Assistant to Governor David Umahi on Media and Strategy, Chooks Oko, made this known in a statement released over the weekend after the week’s executive council meeting at new government house Centenary City, Abakaliki
According to Oko, the state executive council members received report of non-completion of 15 UBEB projects out of 108 across the state with displeasure and described it an act of sabotage.
“Exco received the preliminary report of the Exco Committee on UBEB project and noted that out of 108 projects engaged across the 13 Local Government Areas of the State, 15 are yet to be completed. Exco frowned at this and noted it as sabotage and blacklisted the companies handling the 15 outstanding projects,” he said.
The blacklisted companies include Klyn Construction Works Ltd, Crispmoon Nigeria Ltd and Divine Tech Ltd.
Others are Integrated Silvino Nigeria Ltd, La Konye Technologies, Black Legend Tech Nigeria Ltd and Divine Impact Profile Ltd.
The cabinet members also resolved to close all scrap markets in the state for alleged theft of government properties at the state poultry farm at Nkaliki and vandalization of street light cables across the state.
“EXCO received a report of theft of government properties in Ebonyi State Poultry Farm complex, Nkaliki and vandalization of streetlight cables in different parts of the state. EXCO traced this ugly act to scrap dealers who champion this vandalization and frowned bitterly on the activities of these scrap dealers. In consideration of the above, Exco directed the Governor to issue an executive order to close the sale of scraps in Ebonyi State and the closing down of scrap market in Ebonyi State,” Oko explained.
Also, following accusations of involvement in vandalism and theft of street light cables by the personnel of the state Ministry of Mower and Energy, the executive council members ordered withholding of salaries of all staff of the ministry pending when full investigations into the matter is concluded.
“EXco also noted the connivance with staff of Ministry of Power and Energy to vandalize streetlight cables and vandalism of government properties and directed the withholding of the salaries of the staff of Ministry of Power until investigation of their operations is fully completed,” he stressed.
