Ebonyi Commissioner for Infrastructure Development Engr. Fidelis Nweze is dead.
He died in a hospital in Abuja from complications after a surgery he underwent to correct a ruptured intestine.
He sustained the injury in an auto crash on Saturday along the Enugu-Abakaliki highway.
Governor David Umahi, in an emotion laden voice, confirmed his death to reporters on Tuesday in capital Abakaliki.
He described the Commissioner as irreplaceable and one of the pillars of his administration.
The Governor said: “Nweze died this morning at Turkish Hospital Abuja at about 9:50am. He was traveling to Enugu on Saturday morning with his driver and orderly.
“At Obunagu in Enugu state they rammed into a stationery truck. He was on seat belt and they were all conscious. He was rushed to Niger foundation Enugu.
“I got to know about it on Sunday and I insisted they move him to Abuja. I sent a doctor to the Turkish hospital.
“He was having severe pain so they did an examination and discovered that the seat belt had ruptured his intestine.
“They did a successful operation and wanted to move him to the ward but we said no they should put him in intensive unit for 3 days to be sure everything is okay.
“This morning they said he had crisis and at about 9:50am he died”.
The governor described him as one of the pillars of his administration.
“I feel so sad and empty. To me it is like a dream. It is like my younger brother, my son or very close friend just slept and died,” he wept.
He declared Tuesday as public holiday in the state, adding no market or any other business will open in honour of the late commissioner.
