Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has announced the three-month suspension of the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Moses Ekuma, citing his inability to effectively manage the ministry.
Speaking on Wednesday during a citizens’ engagement forum for the 2025 budget proposal in Abakiliki, Nwifuru criticized the poor performance of the health ministry, describing it as “sick” despite having numerous qualified personnel. He emphasized that leadership roles come with significant responsibilities and warned against a lackadaisical approach to work.
The governor expressed frustration over the lack of tangible results despite substantial investments in the health sector. He revealed that a contractor had been paid ₦3 billion to supply equipment and consumables for primary healthcare centers, yet the expected improvements were not evident. Additionally, billions of naira spent on upgrading primary healthcare centers and general hospitals had yielded little impact.
Nwifuru disclosed plans to establish committees to inspect health facilities across the state. He highlighted previous government initiatives, such as the drug revolving fund for general hospitals, which has achieved a 60% delivery rate. Efforts are also underway to equip rural health facilities for immediate treatment, reducing the need for patients to travel to specialist hospitals.
Once rehabilitated, the governor explained, health facilities would operate independently, allowing doctors to generate funds for salaries, operational costs, and government revenue. He added that similar reforms would be applied to the state broadcasting service, which will transition to a public liability company model.
Nwifuru warned commissioners and public officials to take their responsibilities seriously, stating that inefficiency would not be tolerated. “We’ve spent over a year in office, and anyone unwilling to deliver should step aside,” he said.
Stakeholders at the forum praised the governor’s inclusive approach to governance and pledged their continued support for his administration.
