The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Governor Dave Umahi

  • More roads, bridges for Ebonyi communities

    Ebonyi  State Governor Dave Umahi is opening up more communities with roads and bridges.

    He said his achievements were enough to give him a second term. He spoke on a recent tour to various communities and local government areas of the state.

    Accompanied by engineers and some top government officials, the governor’s visit heralded the commencement of the construction of roads and three bridges. He also inspected the construction of a new flyover.

    The people chanted various songs in praise of the governor.

    In Afikpo North Local Government Area, he directed that the construction of Egbeberi bridge in Amuro community, which is of immense economic benefit to Afikpo people, should commence without delay.

    The communities of Ebia Unuhu in Abakaliki Local Government Area and Abaoffia village, Nkaleke Echara autonomous community of Ebonyi Local Government Area also expressed joy and satisfaction over Ebonyi State government’s decision to redesign and reconstruct the Akpara and Ebya bridges in their respective communities.

    The Akpara bridge, which links the community with neighbouring communities in the state, had been abandoned by previous administrations and it has over the years, led to loss of lives and property.

    Also the Akpara bridge in Ebyia Unuhu in Abakaliki Local Government Area, which was on the verge of collapse after decades of abandonment, received the attention of the governor.

    Also, during a tour of Ebyia river in Abofia, Ebonyi Local Government Area, the governor, who observed for himself the dilapidated bridge, stated that work would commence second week in January on the new Abofia bridge.

    The governor, who noted that the bridge is a link to different villages in the council and beyond, declared that construction work would be completed in record time.

    He promised that supervision of the work would be thorough to ensure quality and timely completion of the project.

    The Chairman of Ebonyi Local Government Area, Mrs Chinyere Nwaogbaga, appreciated the governor for his giant strides in the state, particularly in Ebonyi Local Government Area and promised that the council would help in facilitating the completion of the project.

    She assured the governor that the local government would give him 100 per cent votes in the election.

    The bridge also links the state capital to Ogbaga, the headquarters of Echi-Aba Development Centre.

    At Onicha LGA, the governor inspected the ongoing construction of a brand new flyover in Abaomege community. Abaomege flyover is the fifth flyover in Ebonyi State.

    Already, there is the Dr Offia Nwali flyover situated at Presco Junction, the Spera-in-Deo flyover standing side by side the President Muhammadu Buhari Glass Tunnel and the flyover opposite Margaret Umahi International Market, Abakaliki.

    The flyover in the ever-hectic Abaomege junction is projected to reduce traffic congestion.

    The Union Bank Roundabout, Nkalagu and Ezzangbo junctions will also get flyover bridges.

    “This is aimed at ensuring thorough road connectivity and safety of the lives of commuters and passersby,” the governor said.

    Those in the entourage of the governor include Speaker Francis Nwifuru and Commissioner for Works and Transport Fidelis Nweze Kings.

  • Umahi moves to reconcile farmers, herdsmen

    Umahi moves to reconcile farmers, herdsmen

    Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state Saturday moved against intermittent clashes between farmers in the state and Fulani herdsmen while insisting that no part of the state would be given for the purpose of cattle colony.

    In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor, the Governor initiated measures on how to maintain peace between farmers and herdsmen across the State by fully engaging the traditional rulers and leaders of Miyeti Allah in the area of sustaining the peace among the two groups.

    Uzor said the governor while addressing traditional rulers,  presidents of town union and other stakeholders at the Akanu Ibiam International Conference Centre,  Abakaliki used the occasion to reiterate his administration’s resolve to sustaining peace in all parts of the state which he believes is a panecea to achieving development.

    “Part of the statement read “the traditional rulers are not just custodians of culture and tradition but also part of peace building. They must ensure peace in their localities by first of all identifying the people living in their communities especially the herdsmen. No herdsman is allowed to graze their cattle in our lands and in an event of that,  the herdsmen pay the double value of crops damaged and  on repeat of such,  the herdsmen will be forced to leave the community.”

    “The cows are dear to the herdsmen same way the crops are dear to the our  farmers most especially our belief in sanctity of human life which has been wasted on some areas in the country”

    Umahi also made it clear that Ebonyi  State Government has no resources to embark on any ranching or Colony being an aggrerian state whose main stead is agriculture.

    “To ensure security and safety of our people and herdsmen who have lived peacefully with us all these years without problem and to ensure there is no infliteration of killer herdsmen from neighboring states and countries, traditional rulers are  to collate data on herdsmen operating in their communities across the state for easy identification and maintenance of peace. The data should  include herdsmen’s names,  location  and contact phone numbers of their leaders.”

    “Traditional rulers should hold constant meetings with the herdsmen so that they can Identify those from Niger Republic and other areas that foment trouble”

    The Governor further maintained that Ebonyi State being an aggrerian state with agriculture as its main stead,  the state will not welcome any cattle colony of any sort but shall in constant collaboration with relevant stakeholders and leaders of the herdsmen, renew efforts to maintain peace and security.

    “Governor Umahi is a member of the Presidential Committe headed by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo to reconcile and ensure peace between the farmers and herdsmen across the country and he is doing everything within the armbit of the law to ensure peace in his own state as charity begins at home”

  • NGF to review report on President’s health

    NGF to review report on President’s health

    Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi last night described the recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari as “a miracle” given reports on his health in the social media. He said the social media portrayed the President’s health as “bad”.

    Umahi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), spoke after the visit of seven governors to the President in London.

    Others on the team are: Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Abdulahhi Ganduje (Kano), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Kashim Shettima (Borno) and Samuel Ortom (Benue).

    The delegation had lunch with the President at Abuja House, Nigeria’s official residence in London.

    President’s wife Aisha, was with him to receive the delegation. Ortom’s wife, Eunice was also in attendance.

    It was the second delegation to visit the President after Sunday’s visit by some All Progessives Congress (APC) leaders and governors led by National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun.

    Umahi told the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Network news at 9:00am that he was “excited” to see the president in a good frame of mind adding that he was grateful to God that the prayer of Nigerians for the president’s recovery had been heard.

    Ganduje said the President was in a good state of health. “We believe he will soon be back to Nigeria.”

    In a tweet under the photograph of the visit, Ajimobi said: “My counterparts, the governors’ forum delegation and I were warmly received by His Excellency President @MBuhari in London, United Kingdom.

    Another governor in the delegation said the President cracked jokes with the delegation without any speech inhibition.

    He said: “Buhari walked without support to receive us and he took time to exchange pleasantries with each one of us. We also had a group photograph.”

    “His voice was the usual intonation and he has no speech inhibition in whatsoever manner. He was overwhelmed by our visit.

    “He told us that he is ready to come back to his desk once clearance is given by his doctors.

    “We compared notes on the state of the nation and the tasks ahead.

    “The signs of recovery were visible but not overwhelming on him. He was looking healthier than when he came back the last time. Buhari is back to life.”

    It was gathered that the President’s official photographer, Bayo Omoboriowo, was deployed in London in order to “take many shots and clear all doubts about his recuperation and fitness.”

    There were indications last night that the Northern Governors Forum( NGF) will meet today in Kaduna on the security challenges in the region and to review reports on the President’s health.

    “The insecurity in the North has relapsed, the Federal Government has to bail us out. This is one of the reasons why we are holding a session.

    “Some of us who were not in London will seize the opportunity to get status report on the health of the President.”

  • Umahi promises more dividend of democracy for Afikpo South

    Umahi promises more dividend of democracy for Afikpo South

    Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State has promised the people of Edda in Afikpo South Local Government of more dividends of democracy even as he said the people will not be left behind in his developmental strides.

    Umahi who stated this on Easter Sunday at the country home of a chieftain of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Julius Amah Orji at Nguzu Edda said the people of Edda were dear to his heart.

    He said it was the special love he has for the Chieftain and the people of Edda in general that made him to pay the visit on the special day of Easter Sunday, stressing that his love for the people would not diminish.

    “My administration has executed some notable projects in your area including the streetlights and I assure you that many more are coming in the days ahead”.

    He urged the people of the area to continue to support his administration which he said was for the overall development of the state.

    The host, Amah Orji commended the governor for the visit which he said was remarkable as his people including traditional rulers would use the opportunity to let the governor know some of the teething problems facing them.

    He promised his peoples’ total support for the governor in his bid to fast track the development of the state.

    In his vote of thanks, Stanley Okoro Emegha, the Transition Committee Chairman of Afikpo South Local Government expressed joy over what he said was the developmental strides of the governor in the area

    “Gov Umahi is a wonder working governor, he has done well for the people and at the same time, there are a lot of things the governor need to do for us. We need street lights from Ohafia/Nkporo junction to Nguzu Edda and I believe strongly he will do that.

    “Again, the Federal Government has been very slow in handling the Ohafia/Nguzu/Amaigbo/Owutu/Oso Road; they’ve been on that road for the past four years. Since there are a lot of roads in the state which belongs to the federal government that the governor is doing and he is faster than them, I appeal to him to take over the reconstruction of the road so that our people will have access to their communities”.

    He commended Umahi for appointing him the TC chairman of Afikpo South council and promised not to disappoint his people.

    In an interview later, Okoro Emegha said his priority as TC chairman will be to key into the agricultural policies of the governor, in addition to putting up empowerment programme for the youth in order to curb youth restiveness in the area.

    “Experience is the best teacher, what I gained staying close to the former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, if I can put it down here; I believe very strongly we will compete very favourably with any local government in the country”.

    He assured Gov Umahi that the recent defection of his predecessor in office, Chief Martins Elechi to the All Progressives Congress (APC) would not in any way affect his changes of being returned to the Government House for a second tenure come 2019 as the people of Ebonyi were solidly behind him.

     

  • Umahi emerges Chairman of South-East Governors’ Forum

    Umahi emerges Chairman of South-East Governors’ Forum

    Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State has been elected as the Chairman of South-East Governors’ Forum, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    Umahi was unanimously endorsed at a meeting of the forum attended by all the governors from the zone in Enugu on Sunday.

    Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, who announced this after a closed door meeting, said that the lot fell on Umahi to lead the group because Abia and Anambra had had their turns in the past.

    “I want to specially recognise the oldest member of this forum, Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo and Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra.

    “We have just risen from a meeting and it is my pleasure to officially introduce the chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum in the person of Gov. Dave Umahi.

    “He is our chairman today because Anambra and Abia have taken their turns in the past and we are moving forward from Ebonyi flank at this moment,” Ikpeazu said.

    Umahi said his election was an honour to lead the forum even though he might not be the most qualified.

    “I want to thank my brother governors and to accept the leadership position my colleagues have pushed on me.

    “Not being the most qualified but they decided that I should be the chairman of the forum at a time like this. I want to thank them with all sense of humility,” Umahi said.

    NAN reports that this is the first time after the 2015 general elections that all the governors were meeting face to face at the forums’ meeting.

    Some of the governors had in the past delegated their deputies to represent them at the meeting.