The Ebonyi State Government on Wednesday said that plans are on the way for the establishment of a special contracts court to checkmate contractors that do poor-quality work, noting that the special court, if established, will eliminate the challenge of abandoned projects.

Briefing journalists after officially assuming office at the Ministry of Project Monitoring and Evaluation at the Centenary City Government Secretariat, Abakaliki, the commissioner, Mr Sunday Inyima, said that measures will end the persistent challenge of abandoned projects, poor-quality workmanship and delays in the execution of government contracts.

Explaining further, Intimate said that the ministry will deploy a real-time monitoring system to track the progress of projects from commencement to completion, adding that with the assistance of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) and Special Assistant (SA) to the Governor on Project Monitoring, the needed results will be achieved.

Inyima declared that the administration of Governor Francis Nwifuru was determined to ensure that every government project was executed according to specification and completed within the stipulated timeframe, stressing that the era of abandoned and substandard projects was over.

According to the commissioner, the initiative would enable the government to promptly detect delays, enforce compliance with contract terms and ensure that contractors deliver quality jobs in line with agreed standards.

He noted that part of measures to strengthen accountability, Inyima disclosed that he would propose a policy requiring every contractor handling government projects to deposit a post-dated cheque equivalent to the amount released by the government

He explained that the cheque would be backed by a sworn affidavit obtained from a competent court and lodged with the Office of the Accountant-General as security against contract abandonment or any breach of contractual obligations.

The commissioner further revealed that he would recommend to the Ebonyi State Executive Council the transmission of an executive bill to the State House of Assembly seeking the establishment of a Special Contracts Court to adjudicate disputes arising from government contracts.

He noted that the proposed court would fast-track the resolution of contract-related cases, reduce unnecessary litigation and provide clear legal mechanisms for enforcing agreements between the government and contractors.

According to Inyima, the proposed reforms are designed to enhance transparency, accountability and efficiency in project implementation while ensuring that public funds are judiciously utilised for the benefit of the people.

He reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining strict oversight of all government projects, warning that the ministry would not condone negligence, project abandonment or substandard execution by any contractor, regardless of status or influence.

The commissioner expressed confidence that the new measures would improve public confidence in government projects and support Governor Nwifuru’s vision of delivering durable infrastructure and sustainable development across Ebonyi State.