Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has suspended two commissioners and several government officials over allegations of gross misconduct and dereliction of duty.
The Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development was suspended indefinitely, while that of Health received a three-month suspension.
Additionally, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, along with the Executive Secretaries of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency, also received three months suspension.
The governor had earlier suspended the Commissioner for Water Resources over the vandalisation of some water schemes.
The governor’s decision was announced by the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Chief Jude Okpor, at a press briefing on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting.
He announced that the Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Healthcare would oversee the Ministry of Health.
Those affected were directed to handover all government properties in their possession, including vehicles, to the Secretary to the state Government with immediate effect.
Meanwhile, the government has registered the Ebonyi Broadcasting Corporation (EBBC), and The Patriot newspaper, to operate as independent companies.
“Affected staff who do not fit into the new independent structure will be redeployed to other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to continue their careers.
“This move is not about sacking employees but about reconfiguring the establishments to be independent, business-oriented, and self-reliant,” Okpor clarified.
