Governor Francis Nwifuru has suspended three commissioners for one month over absenteeism from the state executive council meeting held on March 17.

The affected commissioners are Solomon Azi (Grants and Donor Agencies), Victor Chukwu (Environment) and Ikeuwa Omebe (Rural Development).

Information commissioner Jude Okpor disclosed this on Tuesday during the weekly EXCO meeting briefing, noting that the commissioners were absent without permission.

According to Mr Okpor, the governor directed that the suspended commissioners be relieved of all privileges attached to their offices within the stipulated period.

“Nwifuru warned against absenteeism and lackadaisical attitude to work by public servants in the state. The governor also used the opportunity to warn contractors handling government projects to expedite actions in accordance with contractual agreements,” said the commissioner. “The state government, according to the governor, will use all legal means to enforce compliance.”

The commissioner announced the approval of the construction of staff quarters, a female hostel and a health clinic at the National Youth Service Corps permanent orientation camp, Afikpo.

He further disclosed that the government rewarded the Ebonyi State University law team, who represented Nigeria at the 33rd Christof Heyns African Moot Court competition in Kigali, Rwanda.

“The team comprising Michael Agu-Ebeke, Cynthia Ibor and their instructor, Chioma Iteshi, were bestowed with the prestigious Ebonyi State Honours Awards and a cash gift of N3 million each.

“The team emerged victorious by defeating 68 Anglophone and 15 Francophone teams in a keenly contested battle of legal knowledge. The team thus becomes the first Nigerian faculty of law to do so in 33 years,” he said. 

(NAN)