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Tag: Ebonyi

  • Ebonyi: NGO begins construction of New City free for less privileged

    Ebonyi: NGO begins construction of New City free for less privileged

    A  new lease of life is coming the way of the less privileged in Ebonyi as the Africa Nations Development Programme (ANDP), an Abuja-based NGO, has begun the construction of a N7 billion New City free for them.

    The New City, sited at Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government area of Ebonyi, when completed will contain 5,000 units of modern two-bedroom detached houses, schools, police stations, markets, hospitals among others.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) also reports that the project in Ebonyi is one the many that will be sited in each state of the country with that in Cross River having been launched and will cost the organization about N2.7 trillion.

    In the South-East, Enugu and Ebonyi and two other states in South-South, Akwa Ibom and Cross-River have provided land for the project.

    The project had started at Ikpa Nkanya in Cross River on a 250-hectare land provided by the government.

    Also, Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, and Adamawa have promised to provide land in scattered locations for the project.

    Dr. Samson Omojuyigbe, Director-General of the ANDP, during the groundbreaking ceremony at Uburu on Saturday, said that the project was aimed at giving hope to the most vulnerable segment of the society who are buffeted on all sides of the economic divide.

    “This is important to us because the project is one of our efforts to ensure the practical fulfillment of the dream of the ANDP in providing relief for the suffering people of Africa.

    “I feel particularly happy that Ebonyi has become one of the leading states to benefit from the project presently after overtaking two other states hitherto in the run for the project.

    “I, therefore, congratulate the government and good people of Ebonyi as a member of the frontline states to proudly benefit first.

    “The most gratifying issue is that the state government will not make any contribution towards the project but will provide lands and the enabling environment to achieve its success,’’ he said.

    Gov. David Umahi said that land owners in Ebonyi would henceforth become equity owners of the investments from local and foreign investors sited on their lands.

    According to him, the government in adhering to democratic tenets will not dispossess its people of their lands as they are enjoined to offer lands for joint participation in the agricultural enhancement and other economic ventures.

    “We have concluded arrangements with Chinese investors to invest in any local government area that will provide between 5, 000-10, 000 hectares of land for agriculture and other economic ventures.

    “We will approach the state House of Assembly to enact a law that will ensure that no land will be allotted to investors without the active participation of the owners in its usage,’’ he said.

    Umahi noted that the desired rate of development would not be achieved in the state if the people hold firm to their lands as the government and investors were not expected to construct in the air.

    “All lands in the state, however, belong to the government as an investor has given us two weeks to commence a similar project in the Nwofe area and inject 10 million dollars to expand and manage our fertilizer plant.

    “We have achieved much in road, bridge constructions among others and our attention will shift to large-scale mechanised agriculture and establishment of industries among other viable economic ventures,’’ he said.

    He thanked the ANDP for undertaking the project in the state, noting that he was fascinated being informed of the success of such project in Calabar, Cross River and other states in the country.

    Mr. Benjamin Eze, Country Director of ANDP, said that it was an offshoot of the United Nations Development Programme Initiative which undertakes programmes and projects to enhance the lives of the less privileged in the society.

    “The Ebonyi government would invest no funds into the project which involves 5, 000 detached bedroom bungalows with facilities such as roads, electricity, schools, police posts and other security installations, hospitals and fire stations among others,’’ he said.

    , Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, debunked the notion that the land on which the projects would be sited was being disputed by a prominent indigene of the area.

  • IFAD injects N4bn into Ebonyi economy in 2016

    IFAD injects N4bn into Ebonyi economy in 2016

    The said it injected N4 billion into the economy of Ebonyi in 2016 to support farmers.

    Mr Sunday Ituma, the State Programme Coordinator, disclosed this on Saturday in Abakaliki while speaking on the recent distribution of farm inputs to farmers by the programme.

    “IFAD’s intervention added over 2,500 metric tonnes of rice paddy to the rice production output of the state and supported 6, 245 farmers during the same period.

    “We also piloted dry season farming in 2016 with the establishment of 32 hectare demonstration farms and accompanying impressive yields averaging 4.2 tonnes per hectare,” he said.

    Ituma said that IFAD’s target was to support 10,000 farmers in 2017 as it has presently verified and approved 455 business plans with 7,478 farmers expected to cultivate 8,252 hectares.

    “The cost of matching fund expected for this intervention is over N1 billion for which IFAD will contribute 50 per cent or over N500 million while the farmers are to provide the balance.

    “This investment will add about 40, 000 metric tonnes of rice paddy to the rice output of Ebonyi and will translate to the generation of N6.4 billion in the state’s economy,’’ he explained.

    He noted that the programme also funded the development of 200 hectares of farm lands at Ezillo, Ishiellu Local Government Area of the state and provided modern farm machinery to farmers for enhanced productivity.

    “The machinery include: tractors, power tillers, among others, as we also provided support to extension services through the provision of motorcycles to extension agents.

    “We also released funds to the state Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) and facilitated the profiling/training of farmers for the Anchor Borrowers Programme,” he said.

    Ituma explained that under the Agricultural Market Development Component, IFAD intervened in the provision of rural roads, market stalls, aggregation centres, solar powered boreholes and construction of rice processing centres for which massive resources were deployed.

    “Our input distribution system is technologically driven by Cellulant Nigeria Ltd which provides the electronic wallet platform while International Fertiliser Development Centre is the supply chain managers.

    “Their involvement in the distribution system is to ensure transparency and distribution of quality inputs to farmers,” he said.

  • Ebonyi APC repositions ahead of 2019 – Chairman

    Ebonyi APC repositions ahead of 2019 – Chairman

    The Ebonyi chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says the party has been repositioned to achieve landslide victory in the 2019 general elections.

    The Acting Chairman, Mr Eze Nwachukwu, who spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki on Thursday, said the party structures are being strengthened.

    According to him, all the party structures in the state are being repositioned ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    “The party structure and all its organs from the ward, local and state levels are undergoing internal reforms in line with the provisions of the constitution of our party.

    “The party in Ebonyi is taking the initiative in view of the leadership crisis that rocked the party and to properly strategise as the 2019 general elections speedily approach.

    “We are confident of electoral victory in the 2019 governorship and house of assembly elections, hence we must begin early to put our acts in order,’’ Nwachukwu said.

    He called on the party faithful to work for the collective success of the party, assuring that the leadership of the party in Ebonyi was committed to ensure victory in 2019.

    Nwachukwu said that the lingering leadership crisis in the state APC had been laid to rest, following the National Working Committee’s ratification of the suspension of the Chairman, Chief Ben Nwaobasi.

    He said the letter of ratification of the chairman’s suspension, dated May 25, was signed by Alhaji Abdullahi Yusuf-Gashu’a, Director of Administration at APC national secretariat.

    “With the end of the protracted leadership crisis, APC will be more committed and focused in providing credible opposition in Ebonyi,” Nwachukwu added.

    Nwaobasi was suspended over allegations of gross mismanagement of funds, anti-party activities, among others.

  • Engage experts to reduce incidents of building collapse – NSE

    Engage experts to reduce incidents of building collapse – NSE

    Ebonyi chapter, has stressed the need to engage the services of qualified engineers in order to check the high incident of building collapse.

    Ebonyi NSE Chairman, Mr Friday Nweke, who spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abakaliki, said most of the buildings that collapsed after construction were handled by quacks.

    He said that engaging professionals would reduce to the barest minimum the high incidence of building collapse across the country.
    Nweke said that though the Engineering Regulation Monitoring (ERM), Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and other agencies are tackling the problem, the major solution lies in engaging experts from the onset.

    “The problem we have in this country is that people no long do the right thing; experts are not used, while quacks have taken over the jobs of trained engineers,’’ he noted.

    Nweke also condemned the current trend of converting bungalows to storey buildings, without taking into consideration the consequences.

    “The foundation for bungalow is different from that of a storey building, what people do is to break the wall and cast pillars which is not proper.’’

    Nweke also appealed to block industries owners to stick to standard, rather than mould excess block in order to make outrageous profit.

    He suggested that the media and regulatory agencies should enlighten the people on the need to do the right thing to check the increasing rate of building collapse in the country.

  • Osinbajo seeks Reps’ approval for $1.5b external loan for 10 states

    Osinbajo seeks Reps’ approval for $1.5b external loan for 10 states

    The House of Representatives is set to consider the approval of $1.5b external loan for 10 states.

    The states are Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Plateau, Ogun and Ondo.

    The loan request presented to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara by the Acting President was meant infrastructural development for the affected states.

    In the letters dated 25th May, 2017, he stated that the request was in tune with the 2016-2018 External Borrowing Plan earlier approved by the National Assembly.

    Osinbajo stated that the total loans being presented for special consideration and approval is US$1,492,400,000.00.

    While soliciting for the approval of the House, he added, “It will be highly appreciated if you could kindly give this request an expedited consideration and approval to enable the states meet up with all other effectiveness conditions for implementation of the projects in their respective states”.

    The breakdown showed that Kaduna is seeking $350m from World Bank; Ogun, $350m (World Bank); Ebonyi, $70m (AfDB); Abia, $100m (AfDB); Katsina, $110m (Islamic Development Bank), Jigawa, $32.4m (Islamic Development Bank); Ebonyi, $80m (Islamic Development Bank); and Kano, $200m.

    Enugu, Kano, Plateau and Ondo loan requests totaled $200m from French Development Agency.

  • Ebonyi NLC hopeful Umahi will set aside N1bn for pension, gratuity

    Ebonyi NLC hopeful Umahi will set aside N1bn for pension, gratuity

    Mr Leo Nkah, Acting Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ebonyi Chapter, says he is hopeful that Gov. Dave Umahi will set aside one billion naira for the settlement of pensions and gratuities as he promised.

    Umahi, during the 2017 May Day celebration in Abakaliki, had promised to set aside the sum for payments of pensions and gratuities.

    Nkah spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He recalled that the governor had promised that N500 million would be for retired local government workers and N500 million for retired state workers.

    “In the promises he made, some of them were time bound; some that were immediate, we have already started seeing the results.

    “At least, the issue of promotion has been lifted, suspension of the pension law is in effect.

    “The return of the money deducted under the (suspended) pension scheme has been effected.

    “The ones that are yet to be done, he (governor) promised to do, the delay was because of technical issues.

    “And the environment is already conducive for the governor to do more.

    “I believe that all will be done in accordance with what he promised and all we demanded during the May Day.’’

    Nkah, who is also State President, Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees, said that Umahi was favourably disposed to the workers’ welfare.

    “But what happened was that he assumed office in a period of recession and took a little hard stand when it came to the payment of salaries and other allowances.

    “Also the knowledge level of those who should have explained to him some things that were statutory were lacking then.

    “ But currently the governor is disposed to taking care of most pressing areas the workers are pointing at, that he should look into.

    “He is well disposed, it is just for us to be on our toes and continue to press him.

    “I know he will do most of the things, if not all the things we asked for, he is better disposed now than before.’’

  • Police arrest two robbery suspects, cultist in Ebonyi

    Police arrest two robbery suspects, cultist in Ebonyi

    The Ebonyi Police Command has arrested two suspected armed robbers and a cult kingpin in Ezzamgbo, Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state.

    DSP Jude Madu, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) announced the arrest in a statement on Sunday in Abakaliki.

    According to Madu, the suspected armed robbers hail from Amike village in Ezzamgbo.

    “The notorious armed robbery suspects, who have been terrorising residents of the area, were arrested by officers from the Ohaukwu Police division.

    “The arrest was made possible through the collaboration of the youths and vigilante personnel of the village with the Police,” Madu stated.

    According to him, two locally made double-barrel pistols, army uniform with blood stains, two iron cutters, one saw blade and two machetes among others were recovered from the suspects.

    He said the police also arrested a suspected cultist, whose gang had allegedly been terrorising residents of the area.

    The PPRO stated that the suspect was arrested, allegedly with an axe while members of his gang fled on sighting the Police.

    “We are making efforts to arrest the fleeing members of the gang,” he stated.

  • Two journalists attacked by thugs in Abakaliki

    Two journalists attacked by thugs in Abakaliki

    Two journalists, Mr Charles Otu of the Guardian newspapers and Mr Samuel Nweze, Publisher of the People’s Leader, have been attacked in Abakaliki, Ebonyi.

    The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Jude Madu, confirmed the two incidents and said that the police have launched investigation to unravel the motive behind the attacks.

    “The reports of the attacks on two journalists are before the police and we have launched investigation to unravel the motive behind the attacks and identities of those involved”, Madu said.

    Otu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Abakaliki on Saturday that suspected political thugs accosted him at about 6.p.m. on Friday at Vanco Junction in Abakaliki and started beating him with clubs and other dangerous weapons.

    He said the beating attracted passers-by, “but the thugs threatened to shoot anybody that interfered.’’

    He said he was later abducted and taken to the `Ebonyi Cabinet Office’ where he was asked to write an undertaking never to write any story against the state government or be silenced permanently.

    He said the thugs later drove him to the Kpirikpiri Divisional Police Headquarters.

    “I was asked by the group to write a statement that I was rescued by the Ekubaraoha Youth Assembly from a mob that was attacking me.

    “The thugs who accosted me at the Vanco Junction arrived in a 16-seater Toyota bus with the inscription of Ekubaraoha Youth Assembly.

    “They accused me of being a threat to the state government and threatened to silence me unless I signed a written undertaken never to write anything against the state government.

    “I collapsed at the police station having lost consciousness due to the severe beating they gave me but I was revived at the emergency ward of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki”, Otu said.

    Similarly, Nwaeze, Publisher of the People’s Leader, said he was shot by gun men at about 7.p.m. on Friday, June 2, in front of his office at 2, Awolowo Street in Abakaliki.

    “I narrowly escaped death. I was lucky the assailants who came on a motorcycle missed the target; the story would have been a different one.

    “I heard a bang and I felt sharp pains and blood gushing out from my back.’’

    Nwaeze added that he saw two men running with guns in their hands; “it was then that I realised that I had been attacked by drive-by shooters.”

    He said he had reported the incident to the police.

    The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi council, condemned the attacks.

    Chairman of the union in the state, Mrs Veronica Oshim, called on security agencies to rise to the challenge.

    She told NAN that journalists must be provided with safe and secure environment to inform and educate the public.

    She said that unprovoked attacks on journalists were inimical to the development of democracy and also threatened press freedom.

    “It is with shock and disbelief that we received the brutal and mindless attacks on Mr Charles Otu of the Guardian newspaper and Samuel Nweze, Publisher of the People’s Leader, an Ebonyi based tabloid.

    “We condemn these senseless, unprovoked and barbaric attacks on two of our members.

    “We call on the police and other security agencies to rise to the challenge of protection of lives and property of every citizen of the state.

    “NUJ wishes to remind the merchants of death and evil that journalists in Ebonyi will never be distracted or intimidated by their machinations as they will always use their platform to expose evil through sincere and objective reporting

     

  • Four commissioners, two SSAs, 11 SAs swap positions in Ebonyi

    Four commissioners, two SSAs, 11 SAs swap positions in Ebonyi

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi on Friday carried out a major cabinet reshuffle in which four commissioners, two Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and 11 Senior Assistants swapped positions.

    Sen. Emmanuel Onwe, the state Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, made this known in Abakaliki while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the state Executive Council meeting.

    According to Onwe, the state Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Chief Sabinus Nwakwegu, will take charge of Ministry of Border, Peace and Conflict Resolution, while his Economic Empowerment counterpart, Chief Donatus Njoku, takes over Environment ministry.

    “The Commissioner for Border, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Dr Francis Orji, takes over the Solid Minerals ministry, while the Commissioner for Environment, Chief Moses Ogodo-Ali will head the Ministry of Economic Empowerment,’’ he said.

    Onwe said that the SSA on House of Assembly Matters, Mr Ikechukwu Ogbu, will be in charge of Salt and Cement Production, while the SSA on Salt and Cement Production, Mr Sunday Ugwuocha, will take over Assembly Matters.

    “The SA on Talent Development, Mrs Jacinta Nworie, will be in charge of Income Tax, SA on Primary Health (Ebonyi North), Dr Chris Achi, takes over Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and SA, Primary Heath (Ebonyi South), Chikere Omebe, takes over Training.

    Onwe announced that the suspended state Accountant-General, Mrs Queen Agwu, had been restored to her position.

    According to him, the state’s Executive Committee on IGR has been dissolved and a new one constituted.

    “The new committee on IGR is led by the state Deputy Governor, Dr Kelechi Igwe.

    “It includes the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Bernard Odoh, and SSA on Welfare and Religious Matters, Rev. Fr. Abraham Nwali,” he said.

    Onwe said that the appointments took immediate effect.

  • Education commissioner calls for establishment of more technical colleges

    Prof. John Eke, the Ebonyi Commissioner for Education has called for the establishment of more science and technical schools in order to boost Nigeria’s technological growth.

    Eke told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abakaliki that technical education was key to the nation’s technological advancement drive.

    He said that science, technology and vocational training were critical to the development of any society.

    He maintained that functional technical education was required to tackle underdevelopment and socio-economic stagnation.

    “We live in an age where science and technology are the pathways to social, economic and industrial development.

    “To develop alongside other nations of the world, we need to give attention to science and technical education.

    “This is also necessary to empower our people with practical skills.

    “Technology is either stolen or copied and never transferred; hence the need to develop and sharpen the capacity of our scientists, technologists and engineers.

    “These can only be achieved through sound science and technical education,’’ Eke said.

    He called for adequate funding of technical and vocational institutions as well as the faculty of engineering in the nation’s universities.

    “Nations develop in accordance with the level of the scientific and technological breakthrough they have achieved.

    “Also, scientific and technological advancement determine how great; how wealthy; how powerful and influential a country can be.

    “A country’s military prowess is determined by its level of scientific and technological advancement.

    “This can only be powered through technical and vocational education.’’

    Eke also called for the abolition of the dichotomy between graduates of polytechnic and their university counterparts to encourage polytechnic education.

    He said that polytechnics education was more practical oriented in its academic programmes.

    The commissioner added that the country’s quest to achieve self-reliance in science and technology would remain a mirage if the policy was not abolished.

    Eke, a professor of Mathematics Education said that Nigeria’s polytechnic education ranked among the best in the world, in terms of curriculum content and manpower development.

    “Government should review the policy and place graduates of polytechnics at par with their university counterparts.’’

    He added that emphasis on science and technical education would make the Nigerian economy more knowledge-based, where industry and manufacturing sectors would become the major driving force of the economy.

    The commissioner explained that the U.S, Britain, China, Japan, and Russia among other developed nations, achieved greatness because of their sophistication in science and technology.

    According to him, Nigeria too has potential to belong to the league.

    He commended the Ebonyi Government for equipping its three technical colleges with state-of-the-art facilities to enhance teaching and learning of science and technical education.