Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has set October 1, 2026, as the deadline for the completion, commissioning and commencement of operations at the Ezzamgbo Industrial Cluster.
The governor gave the directive at the State Executive Council meeting held on September 23, 2026, where the council reviewed the progress of the project and resolved to deploy all necessary machinery to ensure its timely completion.
The development was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Barr. Chief Ikeuwa Omebeh, after the council meeting presided over by Nwifuru.
According to the statement, the council also approved plans for the foundation-laying ceremony of a 20-capacity workshop at the industrial cluster as part of efforts to expand its skills-development and empowerment components.
The project is expected to serve as a platform for vocational and technical training, enterprise development and economic empowerment, particularly for young people in the state.
As part of the broader plan to maximise the facility, the council also resolved to develop a programme for the return, rehabilitation, training and empowerment of Ebonyi indigenes engaged in street hawking in Lagos, Onitsha and other major cities.
The government said beneficiaries of the programme would receive comprehensive support during their training, including accommodation, feeding and welfare arrangements, with provisions for their families where necessary.
After the training, the beneficiaries are expected to acquire vocational and technical skills and receive empowerment support to enable them establish sustainable means of livelihood.
The council's decision followed what it described as an extensive review of the state government's human capital development initiatives, particularly programmes targeted at youth development.
The government said the intervention was designed to move affected youths away from street hawking and expose them to structured skills acquisition and productive economic activities.
In a related development, the Executive Council directed all contractors and other persons handling government projects across the state to accelerate construction work and ensure completion within approved timelines.
The council warned that failure to meet stipulated project timelines and standards would attract appropriate sanctions in accordance with the law.
The directive underscores the administration's renewed emphasis on project monitoring and timely delivery, with members of the State Executive Council also ordered to return to their respective Local Government Areas to assess the impact of government policies, programmes and projects.
They are expected to identify completed and outstanding projects and report their findings to the council as part of efforts to strengthen monitoring, accountability and feedback mechanisms.
The Ezzamgbo Industrial Cluster is therefore expected to become a key component of the administration's human-capital and economic empowerment agenda when it is commissioned on October 1.
