Umahi Suspends another Coordinator for Dereliction of Duty

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State yesterday suspended the Coordinator of Ikwo East Development Center, Mr. Emmanuel Ejima.

The 64 Development Centres in the 13 local government areas in the state are the fourth tier of government in the state.

Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Kenneth gbala announced the suspension in a statement issued yesterday.

According to him, the suspension is indefinite and with immediate effect.

He said: “His Excellency, the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. Chief David Nweze Umahi, FNSE, FNATE, has approved the indefinite suspension of Mr. Emmanuel Ekuma from office as Coordinator, Ikwo East Development Centre for negligence and dereliction of duty with immediate effect.

“Consequently, Mr. Emmanuel Ekuma has been directed to hand over all government property in his possession to Secretary to the State Government and Coordinating Commissioner before the close of work on Wednesday, 2nd June 2021.”

No reason was given for the suspension of the coordinator, it is believed that it may not be unconnected with the fresh outbreak of hostilities between a community in his domain and a neighbouring community in the Abakaliki local government area of the state.

The Enyibichiri/Enyingba communal crisis has been on for years with intermittent clashes between the two communities leading to loss of lives.

It was gathered that fresh hostilities resumed few days ago leading to the blockade of the Nwakpu/Nkwagu road leading to the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike kw by the warring fighters.