The Association of Ebonyi Indigenes Socio-Cultural in the Diaspora (AEISCID) says the viral video showing the Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, inspecting the two-span bridge has further exposed the poor quality of public projects being executed across Ebonyi State.

In the video, Senator Nwebonyi, alongside an expatriate contractor, raised concerns over a failed section of the bridge being constructed by the Ebonyi State Ministry of Infrastructure and Concession. According to AEISCID, the incident is visible evidence of the substandard quality of many government projects across the state.

The association recalled that, as a governance and accountability platform, it has consistently raised concerns over what it described as the poor quality of contracts awarded under the administration of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, who it noted styles himself as “The Builder.”

According to AEISCID, from the award of several 2-kilometre road projects—many of which the government has reportedly cancelled over poor execution—to the ongoing Vanco Flyover Tunnel project, which it said has remained uncompleted for nearly three years, Ebonyi has become “a huge construction joke” under the current administration.

The association further alleged that many state projects are awarded in violation of fiscal transparency principles, claiming that contracts worth hundreds of millions and billions of naira are frequently awarded through single-source procurement to relatively unknown or newly registered companies with no verifiable operational addresses.

AEISCID also referenced a media report alleging that a contract valued at over ₦6.2 billion for the construction of model classroom blocks across the state was awarded to a company allegedly linked to the governor’s wife. It noted that, to the best of its knowledge, the allegation has not been officially refuted.

Commenting on Senator Nwebonyi’s observations, the association said it agreed with his concerns despite not being engineering professionals, arguing that the defects on the bridge were obvious.

However, it acknowledged the explanation offered by the Commissioner for Infrastructure and Concession, Engr. Abara, who stated that the affected section was a temporary structure designed to facilitate the placement of construction materials before the final overlay.

AEISCID questioned the government’s explanation and asked why similar concerns have continued to arise over the quality of other infrastructure projects across the state.

The association also queried why project supervision has not been strengthened and why contractors accused of poor performance have allegedly not been sanctioned or blacklisted.

It maintained that the Ebonyi State Fiscal Responsibility Act No. 3 of 2008 should be enforced against any contractor found to have violated the law. It further argued that if the governor is found to have breached the provisions of the law, the State House of Assembly should invoke all constitutional and legal mechanisms available to ensure accountability.

AEISCID expressed disappointment that, more than three years into Governor Nwifuru’s administration, the government has allegedly failed to complete and commission any major project despite increased federal allocations to the state.

The association also criticised what it described as the government’s emphasis on political messaging instead of responding to questions on governance and accountability.

AEISCID expressed disappointment that, more than three years into Governor Nwifuru’s administration, the government has allegedly failed to complete and commission any major project despite increased federal allocations to the state.

The association also criticised what it described as the government’s emphasis on political messaging instead of responding to questions on governance and accountability.

According to AEISCID, allegations that contracts are being awarded to family members, friends and political associates have undermined transparency, effective supervision and accountability while slowing infrastructure development in the state.

The association urged the Ebonyi State Government to prioritise the completion and effective supervision of ongoing projects instead of focusing on preparations for the 2027 elections.

It concluded that Ebonyi State cannot afford another four years of what it described as wasteful governance and called on the government to demonstrate greater commitment to accountability, transparency and quality project delivery