A civil society organisation, the Association for Equity, Integrity, Social Change and Inclusive Development (AEISCID), has called for an investigation into project execution and contract award processes in Ebonyi State, alleging poor project delivery and lack of transparency.
The group made the call while reacting to a viral video showing the Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, alongside an expatriate contractor inspecting a section of the Odomoke–Ekelibe bridge in Ebonyi Local Government Area, where concerns were raised over an allegedly defective portion of the structure.
In a statement signed by its President, Ambassador Paschal Oluchukwu, AEISCID questioned the quality of work on the bridge project and dismissed the explanation offered by the State Commissioner for Infrastructure and Concession, Engr. Abara, who had described the affected section as a temporary structure designed to facilitate ongoing construction.
The group also alleged that several government contracts worth billions of naira were awarded through single-source procurement to companies it described as largely unknown and without verifiable operational addresses.
AEISCID further referenced reports alleging that a ₦6.2 billion contract for the construction of model classroom blocks was awarded to a company linked to the governor’s wife, noting that the allegation had yet to receive an official response from the state government.
The organisation also expressed concern over the prolonged construction of the Vanco flyover tunnel project, which it claimed has remained unfinished after several years.
It called on relevant authorities to ensure greater transparency, accountability and strict compliance with the Ebonyi State Fiscal Responsibility Act in the award and execution of public contracts.
As of the time of filing this report, the Ebonyi State Government had not issued any official response to the allegations raised by the group.
