By Jeff Agbodo

Abakaliki—The Ebonyi State House of Assembly Joint Committees on Education, and Projects Monitoring and Evaluation, has expressed dissatisfaction with the substandard work done by some contractors handling school building projects in the state.

The committees warned contractors to adhere strictly to project specifications or face legal consequences.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Projects Monitoring and Evaluation, Hon. Oluchukwu Ukie Ezeali, representing Afikpo North East Constituency, issued the warning during an inspection of the projects over the weekend. While commending contractors who delivered quality work, he criticized the poor execution of some projects, particularly at Comprehensive Secondary School, Uwana in Afikpo North Local Government Area.

Ezeali lamented the lack of professionalism among certain contractors, pointing out that many fail to engage qualified engineers for these critical projects. He emphasized that projects of such magnitude must be supervised by certified civil and building engineers, warning that any contractor found operating without qualified personnel would face sanctions.

He urged contractors to accelerate their pace to ensure completion before the second quarter of 2025.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Education, Hon. Barr. Aloysius Nwodo, representing Ebonyi North West Constituency, expressed satisfaction with the progress made at Izzo High School, Ndiaguazu Umuoghara in Ezza North, and Kpakpaji High School, Ezzama in Ezza South Local Government Area. The construction of a one-story building with 22 modern classrooms at these schools was praised as a model for other contractors to emulate.

Nwodo also lauded the quality of work at Izzikworo Secondary School, stating that such performances would encourage the government to award more contracts to indigenous contractors.

However, he expressed disappointment with the slow progress and substandard work at St. Andians Secondary School, Umuezeoka in Ezza North, and Unwana Comprehensive Secondary School in Afikpo. Nwodo directed the contractors responsible to make corrections and strictly adhere to project specifications.