The story of Ebonyi State has been re –written and the name of His Excellency Governor David Nweze Umahi also written in Gold. FirstNews team who have been keenly watching the activities and programmes of the Divine Mandate of Governor David Nweze Umahi reports.
Ebonyians are the happiest people today in Nigeria and are wearing beautiful and shinning faces. There is joy in the land ostensibly because the dream of the state 21years ago has been accomplished.
Analysts say that what is responsible for this remarkable great feat is quality leadership entrusted on the people. From Abakiliki to all the major towns in the senatorial districts, the story is the same and that the beauty of the state shines at night.
Recently during the 57th anniversary of Nigeria and the 21st anniversary of the creation of Ebonyi State, Governor David Nweze Umahi acknowledged the cheers of Ebony people at the Abakiliki Township Stadium that his two years administration is a Divine Mandate.
According to Umahi, from the testimonies of the public and with gratitude to our God, we can humbly say that all we have achieved within the two years of the mandate which you overwhelmingly entrusted on us has been monumental. We have kept hope alive and delivered on our campaign promises despite the very challenging obstacles that had stared us in the face, of which we have surmounted most of them.
He said that he had collectively worked hard and traversed the very hard terrain to achieve great development in the state inspite of challenges of insecurity and ceconomic downturn.
Our reporter learnt that that 21 years after the creation of Ebonyi State, government has kept hope alive and made sacrifices that have defined the state’s undying spirit as a people who have destined to survive and surmount their immediate problems and forge ahead towards achieving common tasks of development and emancipation from mental slavery.
We noted that the observation of the national independence day coincides with the creation of Ebonyi State but was focused on the achievements of the state believing that 21years is an age of great maturity.
However, at 21, the Governnor remarked that the state is faced with mind-boggling jigsaw that define the administration to Ebonyi’s untiring spirit to get better. We have repeatedly acknowledged in various fora our reasons to celebrate and be proud of our modest development since creation especially within the last two years.
At the borderline lies our quest and campaign for awakening new spirit of shared responsibility especially our attitude towards government properties. For the past two years, we have defined the contours and parameters of our campaign for a change in our attitude, our perception and our shared responsibilities.
We have also been winning the war against dirty environment, lateness to work, as well as engendering cultural re-awakening and above all zero tolerance for corruption and embezzlement which had been the bane of development in the state in the past.
The Governor said that he would complete reticulation of water within the capital city.
“We shall work with landlords to recondition the roofs and increase of their buildings and have all commercial sign boards relocated to building roofs and increase number of electronic bill boards.
According to the Governor, the sanitation shall tremendously improve over the coming months and the city shall be made 100% safe to the inhabitants.
“Our vision is to produce and maintain a capital city that shall be reference point both within and outside Nigeria. I can boldly with gratitude to God say that our city is now a city of cleanliness and light where her inhabitants are happy praising God”, he added.
“Our investigation on the Capital City beautification revealed that when this administration came on board, the capital city could not be said to have the qualities as a capital city. It was a city full of darkness, impassable roads, traffic grid-locks, dirty environment and absence of public water. The story had been re-written our and has created an environment of a capital city that every Ebonyian is proud of.” He said.
FirstNews Magazine gathered that the list of completed roads, constructed /reconstructed in the state capital are forty–four (44) and included Water Works Road 100% State capital, Ogoja-Onuebonyi-Rice Mill road 100% State capital and Gunning road 100% State capital among others while on-going roads/flyover bridges construction in the state capital are fifty-eight (58). Akanu-Ibiam Flyover Bridge 100% State capital, Presco junction flyover Bridge 95% State capital and International Market flyover Bridge 85% State capital among others.
It was further learnt that, list of on-going projects in Ebonyi North zone are seven(7). They include Ezzamgbo- Effium Road (a section) 50% Ohaukwu LGA 20km, Hill Top-Nwofe Road 80% Ebonyi/Izzi LGA 23.5 km and Ishieke-odomoke Road (Nwiboko-Obodo Road) 40% Ishieke in Ebonyi LGA 15km.
At Abakiliki local Government area a total number of twenty- two (22) roads are also on-going; they include construction of double cell box culverts at OkopfuAgbaji 100% Izzi LGA, Construction of single cell box culverts at Igbagu Road 100% Izzi LGA and construction/lateriting of Izenyi-Igweledoha-Omenyim-Ishiekeroad 100% Ebonyi LGA among others.
At Ebonyi Central Zone there are fiftteen (15) projects which are on-going. Some of them include Enyibichiri–Ojon Road 20% Ikwo LGA 15km, Ndufu-Alike -FUNAI Road 100% Ikwo LGA 18.5km and Nkalagu–Ehamufu Road 80% Ishielu LGA 15.5km among others and Ebonyi South eigtheen (18); they include. Amasir-OkposiUburu road 75%, Afikpo North & Ohaozara LGA 23.5km, Ezzama-Oshiri-Onicha-Isu-Uburu road 50% Onicha-Ohaozara LGA 28km and Amasiri-Nguzu-OwutuEdda Road 55%, Afikpo South -Afikpo North 15km among others.
HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT KEY IN UMAHI ADMINISTRATION
In the last two years FirstNews Magazine observed with great satisfaction that the administration of His Excellency Dr. David Nweze Umahi placed great importance on environmental sanitation of the state and adopted the followings to ensure that the state has a healthy environment which it could compete with other States in the country in terms of cleanliness.
To achieve this laudable aim and Supported with World Bank Winter Part funding of N150m towards award of erosion control measures within Abakaliki capital city. The entire project will span a total length of 20km and will cost us World Bank loan of $50.78m. World Bank will award the road by November 2017.
Umahi explained that the state spends an average of N28m per month to pay contractors who are in-charge of sweeping and evacuation of wastes within the state and also spent a total of N784m in 28 months paying the sub-contractors.
He added that the state has spent over N500m building 10,000 sqm 1Hectare of building of the Waste to Wealth Organic Fertilizer Plant.
According to him this project would be commissioned in 2017. We learnt that on completion, the Plant would be buying the city wastes from the sanitation contractors to create more jobs and reduce government spending on environment.
It was further learnt that Umahi’s government placed great importance not limited to programmes of planting trees and concreting of road verges and medians within the capital city and has built four water fountains within the capital city and award contract for more four.
LIST OF PROJECTS EXECUTED BY MINISTRY OF LANDS, SURVEY AND HOUSING
Under the administration of Governor David Nweze Umahi, a total of 16 life touching projects some of which were executed by a joint ministerial committee are as follows. This is to put the records straight and for the purpose of accountability and good governance.
Dr Sam Egwu Governor’s Lodge
Ebonyi Presidential Lodge
Government House Gate
Ebonyi Police Command headquarters perimeter fence and gate
New Governor’s Lodge
New Governor’s Office
New Presidential Lodge
Shopping complex at Akanu Ibiam roundabout
Waste Recycling Plant at Umuoghara
Three modern prison blocks
Abakaliki Township Stadium Restaurant
EBSU Green House
EBSU modern bus stop
Ebonyi Ecumenical Centre
Acquisition of Land for government projects
Acquisition of 4000 square meter land at Asokoro Abuja.
Acquisition of sufficient land for allocation to Ebonyi people
MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND TOURISM TOURISM SUMMIT IN ABUJA:
At the inception of this Government in 2015, the disparity and non-alliance of the State to the National structure of tourism activities was discovered. The opportunity of arrival of this pragmatic and people oriented government, was immediately used to re-write the name of the State in Tourism map of Nigeria and align the State among the comity of States in Tourism Development.
INTERNALLY GENERATED REVENUE:
It is noteworthy that before the inception of this Government in 2015, the Ministry has been seen as dancing and clapping with one hand. With the present administration, full of positivity and innovations, the testimony has been re-written. Today, Ministry of Culture and Tourism is one of the leading Ministries in the State in revenue generation. This ranges from revenues generated from registration and renewals of Hotels, Restaurants, fast food etc.
HOTEL CLASSIFICATION AND RENEWAL:
It is on record that ever before this administration, a supreme court judgment gave the state the right of responsibility of Hotels in the State. This was not exploited and practiced until the arrival of this Government. Today, the State has alot to benefit from this pro-active action.
DOCUMENTATION OF TOURIST SITES AND POTENTIALS:
Records, they say vindicates history. In the Ministry, it is only this government that has deemed it important and necessary to create record for would- be investors to take advantage of. This in no small measure has started yielding fruits, for both the investors and the people of Ebonyi state.
TAKEN OVER AND RENOVATION OF AIICC:
Akanu Ibiam International Conference Centre (AIICC) which was at the verge of collapsing
resulting from poor management from the company it was leased to, has been partly renovated by the ministry and proceeds from it’s management remitted to the state Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) account. This feat, was achieved with the support and approval of the State Chief Executive. Pictures of the renovated AIICC, are attached as proof to this claim.
CENTENARY CITY PROJECT:
Work has since commenced at the Centenary City Recreation park by the contractor, Krisco Investment Limited. The lake of the City will soon undergo dredging. All these when completed, will serve as tourist destination and in turn increase the Internal Generated Revenue of the state.
ESTABLISHMENT OF ART GALLERY:
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has established an Art Gallery, where Art works are showcased in the state.
TRANSLATION OF NATIONAL ANTHEM AND PLEDGE:
Our ministry, in liaison with its parastatals has translated National Anthem and Pledge into Igbo language. The ministry has successfuly concluded the 1st ever and most widely adjudged impressive cultural Fiesta (Ebonyi Cultural Fiesta). This took place between 25th and 26th September, 2017.
MINISTRY OF LOCAL, CHIEFTAINCY MATTERS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
REGULAR PAYMENT OF SALARIES AND PENSION:
Constant payment of salaries and pensions of both Local Government Staff and Primary/Junior Secondary School Teachers in the State. No staff, teachers and pensioners are owed.
PROCUREMENT OF JEEPS FOR TRADITIONAL RULER
The Ministry has paid for 90 Jeeps for Traditional Rulers
PROCUREMENT OF 10 BUSES AND 52 MOTORCYCLES FOR NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH GROUP:
The Ministry in collaboration with Local Government Councils procured 10 buses and 52 Motorcycles for effective performance of the Neighbourhood Watch Group.
PROCUREMENT OF 13 BULLDOZERS FOR THE 13 LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCILS IN THE STATE
This Ministry purchased 13 No. Bulldozers to aid food production and rural development in the State. The bulldozers have been commissioned by His Excellency, the Governor
SDC STREETLIGHT IN SIX LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT STREETLIGHT IN 7 REMAINING LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS:
The Ministry made counterpart contribution for the execution of Street Light projects in six Local Government Areas through the Sustainable Development Goals. And the other 7 Local Government Areas also embarked on Streetlight/rural electrification projects.
CONSTRUCTION OF 2 BEDROOM BUNGALOWS FOR WIDOWS IN THE 171 WARDS OF THE STATE (17 OF THEM NEARING COMPLETION):
The Ministry in collaboration with Joint Project Committee embarked upon the construction of 17 no. 2 bedroom Bungalows for widows (out of the 171) under the Widow Care Foundation. Her Excellency, the wife of the Executive Governor performing the foundation laying ceremony.
HOSTING OF 1,170 WIDOWS AND ELDERLY PEOPLE:
His Excellency, the Executive Governor hosted and empowered 1,710 widows and 230 elders. The Ministry provided them with wrappers, bags of rice and empowered them with cash with which they opened the account for the payment of the N100,000 to each of the widows by His Excellency
PAYMENT OF COUNTERPART FUND FOR THE 16 KILOMETER ROAD IN EACH OF THE 13 LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS:
The Ministry made counterpart contribution for the execution of 16 Kilometer Roads in each of the 13 Local government Councils in the State.
MINISTRY OF POWER:
The Ministry started with a massive street light within the capital city. We have spent a total of about N1.5bn within the capital city.
We have spent a total of over N200m for street light outside the capital city.
We have awarded contractors for solar street light in Abakaliki and Afikpo costing a total of about N600m and project is on-going.
We purchased two sets of 50KVA each of solar farm generator and installation is on-going. Cost to Lagos $66,457.
We purchased 5,000 numbers of road led light. Landing cost to Lagos is $123,000.
We purchased two sets of biomass plant 1000KWA and 500KWA for our Rice Mills at a total cost of $7,000,000 Landing cost to Lagos.
We have purchased equipment like Skylift and Fire Tanks at a total cost of about N200m.
We have recovered electrical materials from NEWS Engineering and her sister companies worth about N300m which we shall inject into our rural electrification in 2018.
Ministry shall embark on rural electrification and renewable energy project in 2018.
DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS AND WELFARE MATTERS
Government releases on monthly basis, N48m. Part of this money is used for:
payment of indigent patients in all the hospitals in Ebonyi State who after treatment could not pay their medical bills. Government from time to time pays such bills, gives them gifts and releases them to go home.
Part of the money is also used to help religious bodies to assist their members to access medical services.
Part is used to assist Ebonyians to get treatment of various kinds of disorders.
Part of the fund is used to pay some widows N10,000 monthly allowances.
Part is used to pay transport allowances to CAN and Divine Mandate Pastors who help us to monitor our schools.
We also have Anti-Cultism Counsellors and moral instructors who benefit from the fund.
This department was in charge of bringing total peace in Ezillo including drafting a bill to be sent to the House of Assembly to finalise the entire peace process.
The report analysis of this project indicates that the project executed by the administration of Governor David Umahi are life touching and people oriented programmes. Certainly the administration of His Excellency is a Divine Mandate of the Ebonyians. Bravo ! Umahi.
