Facts Behind Mbam’s Removal And The Way Forward For Ebonyi Ministry Of Works.
The removal of Engr. Stanley Lebechi Mbam as Ebonyi State Commissioner for Works on September 19, 2026 should be understood against the background of the commissioner’s earlier difficulties with the Nwifuru administration—not through speculation about motives that the government itself has not publicly stated.
Governor Francis Nwifuru’s official announcement did not disclose a specific reason for the latest removal. It directed Mbam to surrender government property, including his official vehicle, to the Secretary to the State Government and hand over the ministry’s responsibilities to the Permanent Secretary. The governor simultaneously reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to effective governance and infrastructure development.
There is, however, an important documented history.
The February suspension is significant
On February 28, 2026, Nwifuru indefinitely suspended Mbam alongside the Commissioner for Infrastructure Development for Concession, Engr. Ogbonnaya Obasi-Abara. The official reason given at the time was alleged dereliction of duty.
Premium Times reported that the governor’s concerns at the time included alleged dereliction of duty, slow project delivery and lapses in the Ministry of Works. The report also said Mbam subsequently apologised and appealed for another opportunity to serve before being recalled in May.
That history makes the September removal particularly notable: it followed an earlier suspension, recall and renewed tenure in the same portfolio. But it would be inaccurate to claim that the government has officially established “pride,” “ego,” corruption or any particular administrative misconduct as the reason for the final sack. Those would require evidence beyond the official announcement.
There is also an important counterpoint. Only days before his removal, Mbam was publicly defending the administration’s infrastructure record, with Channels Television reporting his claim that Ebonyi had completed more than 627 kilometres of roads, while numerous other projects remained ongoing.
What should happen now?
The more important question for Ebonyians is not simply who occupies the commissioner’s office, but whether the Ministry of Works can become more effective, accountable and professionally driven.
Governor Nwifuru could use the transition to pursue several measures:
- Appoint a technically strong successor.
The next commissioner should combine engineering/infrastructure knowledge with administrative discipline, project-management ability and the capacity to work effectively with permanent secretaries, directors, resident engineers, contractors and communities.
- Conduct a comprehensive project audit.
Every major road, bridge, flyover and other infrastructure project should have its status clearly documented—contract value, contractor, percentage completion, payment status, expected completion date and outstanding challenges.
- Strengthen professional oversight.
The ministry already has specialised departments covering civil engineering, mechanical engineering, planning/research/statistics, finance and accounts, and administration. The state government’s own description says these departments are staffed by trained professionals. The incoming political leadership should therefore empower the professional bureaucracy rather than unnecessarily politicise technical decisions.
Ebonyi State Government.
- Establish measurable performance targets.
The ministry should operate with quarterly targets for road construction, rehabilitation, maintenance, drainage, bridges and other infrastructure. Citizens should be able to see what was promised, what was achieved and what remains outstanding.
- Improve contractor monitoring.
A road should not merely be commissioned; its quality should be monitored after completion. Contractors who consistently fail contractual standards should face appropriate contractual consequences.
- Make the ministry more open to scrutiny.
The public deserves regular factual updates. Civil society, professional bodies, journalists and communities should be able to ask legitimate questions about major infrastructure projects without such scrutiny being interpreted automatically as hostility to government.
- Separate politics from engineering decisions.
Political leadership establishes priorities, but technical professionals should provide the engineering assessments that determine feasibility, quality, safety and appropriate construction methods.
The bigger lesson
Mbam’s removal is ultimately a reminder that occupying a powerful office is not the same thing as successfully administering it. At the same time, the removal itself should not become an excuse for unsupported accusations against the former commissioner.
The documented facts are enough to justify serious public discussion: there was an earlier suspension over alleged dereliction of duty, a subsequent recall, and now a final removal. The government has not publicly supplied the specific reasons behind the latest decision.
The appropriate next step is therefore not a blame game. It is institutional renewal.
For Governor Nwifuru, the vacancy presents an opportunity to rebuild confidence in the Ministry of Works through competent leadership, transparent project monitoring, professional accountability and measurable results. For Ebonyians, the standard should be straightforward: less personality politics, more functioning infrastructure; less explanation, more measurable delivery; and public office treated as a responsibility rather than a privilege.