The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Governor David Umahi

  • Umahi: I am not leaving PDP

    Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi has debunked reports credited to the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Sonni Ogbuorji, that he was making plans to defect to the APC.

    Ogbuoji, at a news conference in Enugu State, rejected the outcome of the election and vowed to challenge Umahi’s victory at the tribunal.

    Umahi described Ogbuorji’s statement as the ranting of a frustrated person.

    A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor, said the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a total rejection of his opponent.

    The statement reads: “As usual, the pain of defeat has started to manifest and so the centre can no longer hold as regards Ogbuorji’s state of mind. Rather than accept the verdict of the people as expressed in their ballots, Ogbuorji has taken his frustration far beyond the shores of the state.

    “Senator Ogbuorji, rather than defend his lacklustre performance in the governorship election, accused the governor of plans to defect to the APC. His statement smacks of frustration because he was not only trounced by Umahi, but also stripped of the little remaining man in him politically.

    “Ogbuorji alleged that Governor Umahi was a mole in PDP. Such a statement is unfortunate and irresponsible because he lacks all moral justification to know who is a mole and who is not because he represented what a typical mole is in APC.

    “How come Senator Ogbuorji never resigned his membership of the PDP, a party on whose platform he was elected a senator twice? How come Senator Ogbuorji, who claimed to be the governorship candidate of APC, compromised the presidential election to the extent of losing his own polling unit and ward to the PDP?

    “If Ogbuorji was not a mole in APC, how come he won clearly his own governorship election in his polling unit and ward but lost in the presidential election?

    “Unknown to him, the APC National Working Committee knows the character of Ogbuorji. So they allowed him wallow and ate his own flesh in the governorship election,” he added.

     

     

  • N1.4b development projects for 140 Ebonyi communities

    It was a rally meant to launch the electioneering campaigns of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ebonyi North and Central zones in Ikwo and Izzi Local Government Areas.

    However, Governor David Umahi turned it into a platform to inaugurate projects in over 140 communities.

    “I didn’t come for campaigns; I came to share more democracy dividends. The only campaign I am doing is projects, he said as there were chants of “Professor of projects” by the jubilant crowd.

    The governor promised that the Abakaliki Ring Road will commence by March.

    He said efforts to begin the construction of the road in the past years were allegedly delayed by some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who deployed all means to thwart the efforts of government to take loan from the African Development Bank (ADB) with which to construct the road.

    The Abakaliki Ring Road is the longest in the state and cuts across eight out of the 13 local government areas.

    When constructed, it will open up the hinterlands for export of goods and lead to more commercial activities.

    Since it was constructed by the Jim Nwobodo administration when the area was part of Enugu State, the road has not been reconstructed.

    Former Governor Martin Elechi tried to reconstruct the road but didn’t succeed despite that he is from the zone. The few portions of the road he attempted to do, especially the part leading to his house, have since failed due to poor quality of work.

    But Governor Umahi, who is from Ebonyi South Senatorial District, has vowed to fix the road with concrete stone base. This is a new method of road construction which he is pioneering in the country and which has been adjudged the strongest with the capacity to last for between 50 and 100 years.

    Already the Ezzamgbo to Effium section of the road has been done by the governor using state funds. The section was one of the worst areas that have deteriorated. Umahi said he was committed to ameliorating the suffering of the people; hence he decided to use state funds to do the road rather than wait for the loan which is allegedly being stalled by some members of the opposition.

    “The same people who caused the delay are still coming to ask you to vote for them. We will commence the road by March and will do more projects for you,” the Governor told the people of Izzi Local Government Area.

    Umahi also inaugurated the N1.4 billion community development project for the 140 communities.

    According to him, each community will get N10million to carry out a project of their choice.

    He also said the money for the community projects has already been set aside, adding that leaders of all the 140 communities have submitted projects their communities would like to execute.

    Umahi noted that he will continue to develop the state, even as he called on the people to continue to support his administration.

    “We are beginning N10million projects in each of the 140 communities. The money is already available; we believe in action not in promises that would not be fulfilled. We said every community should give us project of their choice and they have done that. So, we will need to flag it off,” he said.

    The governor also inaugurated the Community Development Project where every community will get N10million to carry out one project of their choice.

    Chairmen of Town Unions from the local government areas were present to receive the cheques from the governor who also announced that work on the Oferekpe River Bridge to link the Ikwo and Cross River State will commence soon.

    In their separate speeches, the Director-General of Umahi’s Campaign Organisation, Chief Fidelis Nwankwo; the state Chairman of PDP, Barrister Onyekachi Nwebonyi and the National Vice-Chairman of PDP, Southeast zone, Chief Austin Umahi, urged the people to re-elect Umahi and other PDP candidates as reward for good work is more work.

  • Don’t allow Amaechi to deceive you, Secondus urges Southeast

    National Chairman of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus on Friday accused Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi of trying to deceive people of the south east zone with his call on them to vote President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 and be rewarded with Presidency in 2023.

    Amaechi had at a convocation lecture of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka on Wednesday urged Ndigbo to join main stream politics by supporting the APC which he claimed remembered the south east more than the PDP that ruled the country for 16 years.

    But Secondus, while speaking in Afikpo town in Ebonyi state at a rally organised to honour Governor David Umahi, urged the people of the South East not to allow Mr Amechi to deceive them.

    He also accused the ruling APC of marginalizing Ndigbo and minority groups in the country.

    “We will not be deceived; nobody can pull the wood on our eyes any more. The best party for Ndigbo is PDP and that is where the future is. No one will deceive us. A minister went to University at Awka the other day talking about APC and the chances of Ndigbo, that’s another deceit and he cannot succeed.  We have been meted here with
    deceit and lies and nepotism”.

    “When we talk about how they have instituted nepotism, they will say it is a hate speech. Our people have been marginalized, our party was founded on the ground of National unity and that’s why nobody can lay claim on this party.

    “When you cannot include Ndigbo and the minority in your government and you expect such people to be happy. PDP will restore the dignity of Ndigbo and the minority in the country. PDP was in government for 16 years and it was all inclusive government. Even the opposition were appointed “, he said.

    He commended Governor Umahi for his development strides and unity of the party in the state.

    The National Chairman also promised that their will be no imposition of candidate by anybody in the party in next year’s election.

    In his remarks, Umahi said despite attempts to destabilize the PDP by the opposition, the party will remain strong and united.

    He expressed dismay that former Governor of the state, Chief Martin Elechi who he described as his grandfather was teaming up with the Minister of Science and Technology to wrestle power from him in 2019.

    “I came by the mighty hands of God. You know the irony of life? In 2007 when Dr. Onu who is the Minister of Science and Technology was contesting against the same Elechi, I was supporting Elechi and all my properties in the village; my country home, my filing station, my hotels were all burnt down. Dr. Onu’s supporters burnt them down because I was supporting Elechi. Today, two of them have teamed up against God’s own anointed,” he said.

    Read Also: APC accuses Wike of lying against Amaechi

  • Nightlife returns to Abakaliki

    Nightlife returns to Abakaliki

    A few years ago, Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, was like a ghost town. From 7pm virtually all shops and businesses closed down. One reason for this was lack of power. Another reason was that criminals were on rampage. Also, there was filth everywhere you turned. This ruined visitors’ trip to the state capital, after enduring the city’s woeful roads. Some concluded that Abakaliki was little more than a glorified village. Going out for fun in the afterhours was rare as a result.

    That picture has changed, thanks to Governor David Umahi who, on taking office in 2015, pledged to transform the state capital into what residents and visitors alike would be proud of. Nightlife is back.

    The city boasts streetlights  which are linked to the national grid and also backed up with generators to ensure steady illumination of the city throughout the night.

    Virtually all the roads in the metropolis have been reconstructed and refuse disposal is a daily routine supervised by the Ministry of Environment. The state hardly takes part in the monthly environmental exercise anymore but it is arguably today the cleanest city in the country.

    A trader in the state, Mrs Joy Obieze in a chat with The Nation said businesses now stay open till at least 10pm as the streetlights prevent hoodlums from attacking them.

    “We used to close around 6pm; now I can stay as long as I want and there are customers now at night unlike before,” she said.

    At the Abakaliki Township stadium, the story is the same.

    Shop owners at the stadium now stay open till late in the night while sporting activities and other programmes take place at the stadium day and night.

    Today the stadium is one of the few in the country with ave roofs that protect spectators and other users from the elements.

    The over 10,000-capacity stadium with five scoreboards now has an air-conditioned VIP section, equipped with 24 state-of-the art toilet facilities which are connected to 50,000-litre overhead tank and floodlights.

    The VIP section, which is covered with glass, is best fit for occasions including conferences, wedding and sundry indoor events, more so as it has 350 KVA and 500KVA standby electricity generators.

    Obviously to position the stadium for economic independence, a two-storey guest house of the standard of a high brow hotel is nearing completion within the stadium complex, while the 54 shops under the basement of the complex has been reconstructed.

    This has also added to the aesthetic beauty of the state capital as the beautiful stadium is now a tourist centre in the state capital. The 10,000 capacity stadium, following its former state was no longer attracting the attention of event planners, celebrities and Ebonyi people to the environment but the diverse innovation of Governor David Umahi has reawakened a new zeal and passion from the members of the public to the area.

    The place has surprisingly become a tourist attraction for many people in the state and outside as the governor has  rebuilt the stadium to international standards. It has indeed become a cynosure of all eyes in the state.

    “The number of people trooping into the stadium evokes a line of the feeling that the present administration is determined not only to set the pace in developmental strides but also set a precedence of ingenuity that democracy dividends is possible even in the face of obvious economic challenges”, said a first-time visitor to the state, James Okenwa.

    Indeed upon completion of the work at the stadium, Ebonyi State has now joined the league of states with the capacity to host both local and international events of any standard.

    Indeed, the busiest sport in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi state capital now is the Abakaliki Township Stadium which was recently renamed Ngele Oruta Township Stadium .

    Before 5am the stadium and its environs is filled with people. Most of the guests to the facility are the political bigwigs in the state including the House of Assembly members and their officials, lawyers, men and women from various strata and sections of the society.

    Majorly, they converge there for keep fit exercises and probably some other sundry social engagements.

    One of them, Mr Valentine Okike Uzor, a member of the state house of Assembly said: “You can now wake up anytime in the night and run along the major streets of Abakaliki which are well illuminated without fear of twisting your ankles as the roads are very smooth”.

    During the weekends, churches take over the arena, hold all sorts of crusades. Just last week, renowned Pastor, Apostle Suleiman held a crusade inside the main bowl of the stadium and it was filled to capacity.

  • Ebonyi workers hail Umahi

    Ebonyi workers hail Umahi

    Despite that Ebonyi State receives one of the least allocations from the Federation Account, the state is one of the few that are up to date in payment of workers’ salaries, gratuities and pensions.

    In the state, workers get their salaries on or before the 20th day of every month.

    To show appreciation for the  welfare policies of the Governor David Umahi administration, workers rallied in Abakaliki, the state capital, to thank the governor.

    Indeed, the Pa Oruta Ngele Stadium Abakaliki was filled to capacity as workers in various colourful attires sang, danced  and praised Governor Umahi for his constant support and policies.

    The workers, led by the Acting Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, Leonard Nkah, thanked the governor for his favourable disposition to workers. They pledged their continued support for his administration.

    “We are gathered to re-affirm our support for your administration as you pulled the state from the brink of collapse occasioned by backwardness, poverty, corruption and poor state of infrastructure, among others”, Mr Nkah said.

    He said the governor steadily paid workers’ salaries and gratuities and made history by paying us 13th month bonus salary when other states with higher Federal Government allocation battled to pay basic salaries,” he further said.

    To show how appreciative they are to the governor, the workers conferred on him a traditional title of of Enyi Ndi Oru (friend of workers) in recognition of his numerous welfare packages for them.

    The workers also endorsed the governor as their candidate for the 2019 general elections.

    In his speech, Governor Umahi ordered immediate training and re-training of civil servants  for efficiency and greater productivity.

    He said the exercise would boost the performance of government.

    The governor also announced the commencement of payment of severance allowances of public officers who served under his predecessor, Chief Martin Elechi whom he served as Deputy Governor.

    He noted that the payment of the officers’ severance allowance was delayed because they did not pay the officers who preceded them and workers’ salaries, pensions and gratuities when they were in government.

    “God, however, spoke to me and directed that we should review the decision not to pay them as I direct relevant state and local government area agencies to compile lists of those affected at both levels, for us to look into the matter.

    The governor announced the donation of 66, 000 bags of 25kg rice to workers as part of their Christmas and New Year celebrations, directing that each worker would collect at least two bags.

  • Ebonyi denies owing workers’ salaries

    Ebonyi denies owing workers’ salaries

    Ebonyi State Government Tuesday debunked media reports  which named it as one of the states owing their workers’ salaries, pensions and gratuities, describing the report as baseless and falsehood.

    Governor David Umahi’s Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor in a statement on Tuesday described the Vanguard newspaper report as not only embarrassing but mischievous devoid of any facts and value.

    The statement further described the publication trying to link Ebonyi state among the states owing salaries as frivolous and malicious, adding that Ebonyi state since the inception of Governor Umahi’s administration has never failed to pay workers’ salaries on or before 25th of every month and teachers’ on the 15th of every month.

    Uzor also disclosed that a state that just released workers’ promotion and leave allowances in addition to 13th month salaries could not have been said to be owing salaries, and called on the general public to disregard the publication which he said was oozing with an odorous lies.

    “The report linking Ebonyi state government with some of the states across the country owing their workers’ salaries came to us as a shock. I make bold to say that the report was not only false, embarrassing and malicious but also a demonstration of ignorance in governance especially as it concerns a state like ours where workers’ welfare form the bedrock of our conflicting priorities”

    “While Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi does not see prompt and regular payment of workers’ salaries as a special service to the workers but as right, he has been committed to the welfare of workers and has ensured that they are paid every month and today, there is no worker in the state civil service both at the state and local government levels that is being owed a half month salary. The records are there”

    “It is no longer news that Ebonyi state government under the able leadership of Governor David Umahi is not owing any salary but went as far as clearing a backlog of workers’ salaries since 2006, pensions and gratuities which he inherited upon his emergence as governor in 2015″, Uzor wrote.

    Mr Uzor said that there is also another N2b set aside by the state government for all civil servants in the state different from their normal emoluments to access and develop themselves economically.

    “Stand to be challenged that workers in the state have keyed into this empowerment programme to better their lots”, he added.

    The Chief Press Secretary also lampooned the report and called on the general public to disregard such harmful publication.

    “In the light of the above, I call on Nigerians to disregard this injurious reports which I see as a deliberate sabotage on the image and sincerity of the state government towards workers’ welfare”.

  • I appoint my aides on merit – Buhari 

    I appoint my aides on merit – Buhari 

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday night in Abakikili explained that many appointees in his administration were appointed purely on merit and their proven track records.

    Speaking at a State dinner organised in his honour, President Buhari emphasised that he always considered what was best for the country in his decisions.

    Buhari, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said ‘Some of the people holding high positions in the government, like my ministers, will tell you that I didn’t know them from Adam.

    ‘‘I just came across their names from the records and I worked with the records. I thank God that I have a very good team,’’ he said.

    The President commended Governor David Umahi for his development strides in the State, saying ‘‘the absolute commitment of the Governor to his position is very remarkable and I am very impressed.’’

    President Buhari, while expressing gratitude to God and the people of Ebonyi for recognising his modest contribution to the country, described Nigeria as a great country with incredible resources and highly talented people.

    ‘‘We should continue to pray to God that the elites that will be in-charge of the country in the future fear God,’’ he said.

  • Buhari to Ndigbo: We’ll fulfill promises on South East infrastructure

    Buhari to Ndigbo: We’ll fulfill promises on South East infrastructure

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Abakiliki, capital of Ebonyi State, assured Ndigbo that his administration will ensure the timely execution of roads, power and other projects in the South-East.

    He made the remark while addressing Ebonyi State Leaders of Thought and Traditional Rulers at a meeting in the Government House.

    According to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President also commended Ebonyi people for the warm reception accorded him during the State visit.

    He said ‘My presence here today is a demonstration of our strong belief in the unity of Nigeria. As the most populous country in Africa, with over 300 ethnic groups, our diversity is unique among nations.

    ”When I met with leaders from the South East last month in Abuja, they raised several issues of concern, including the state of the roads and infrastructure in the region. I want to assure you that we will deliver on our promises.

    ”Our 2018 Budget includes many strategic projects for the region in the roads, power, agriculture and other sectors,’’ he said.

    The President had earlier inaugurated the 14.5km Abakiliki-Afikpo Federal road constructed by the Ebonyi State Government.

    He also commissioned the 700 metre length of the dual flyover over the Trans-Sahara route running from Enugu to Cameroon, and the Senator Offia Nwali flyover, all in the State capital.

    In addition, he performed the foundation-stone laying ceremonies of Ebonyi City Mall, another flyover and road tunnel named after him.

    The President also unveiled the statue of Sir Akanu Ibiam, a former governor of the old Eastern region, whom he described “as a great Nigerian, whose notable records of humanitarianism, advocacy of free primary education and rural development, will continue to be an inspiration to all.’’

    President Buhari, who commended Governor David Umahi for ”his vision and commitment to the development of the State,” also thanked the traditional rulers of the State led by Eze Charles Mkpuna for conferring him with the chieftaincy title of Enyioma 1 of Ebonyi (Trustworthy friend of Ebonyi).

    At another event with South East traditional rulers led by Eze Eberechi Dick, the President was conferred with the chieftaincy title of Ochioha Ndigbo (Leader of Igbo people).

    Earlier in an address presented on behalf of Ebonyi Elders by a former Governor of the State, Chief Sam Egwu, he appealed for more Federal presence in the State, particularly the conversion of College of Education Ikwo to a Federal College of Education.

    He also called for urgent intervention by the Federal Government to curb intra-communal clashes as well as cross-border disputes in the region.

  • FG pledges to revive Nkalagu Cement Company

    FG pledges to revive Nkalagu Cement Company

    The federal government Tuesday pledged total commitment and support to the efforts of Governor David Umahi and Ibeto Group to revitalized the Nigeria Cement Company (NIGERCEM), Nkalagu in Ishielu local government area of Ebonyi state.

    NIGERCEM has been in comatose since 2003 when it stopped production with over 200 workers of the company said to have died as result of non -payment of their salaries.

    The state government last year signed a deed of understanding with the Ibeto group of companies to revive the ailing industry.

    Addressing the host communities and stakeholders at the cement factory, Minister of Solid Mineral Development Dr. Fayemi Kayode who was on two-day working visit to the state noted that the cement company was once a pride of the eastern region.

    “I have been hearing of NIGERCEM Nkalagu when I was a little boy. There were two companies known all over Nigeria for cement production; Ewekoro and Nkalagu. Nkalagu is where we are today and that is why we have to revive it and we thank Ibeto and the Governor for coming together with the community and other stakeholders to support this effort to bring NIGERCEM back to life.

    “On our part as the federal government, we are determined to see this company come back to production and we will provide all the necessary support for this to happen.  We are happy that this is going to start very soon. We will make sure that this company is back and bigger than what it was before.

    “It can recruit many of your children and I know that we have elderly pensioners who worked all their lives here in the NIGERCEM. We need to get our young men and women back to work and this is one of the vehicles to achieving job creation in this state and I know with God on our side, it shall be possible very soon. I know how passionate the Governor is about the development of his people.  All he always want to hear any time we meet in Abuja is what is the need of my people. He is committed to leave a foot print on the sands of time”, he said.

    In his remarks, Governor Umahi expressed confidence that the company will return to its glorious day and commended the federal government for its support to revitalize the industry.

    He disclosed that everything has been put in place by his administration including the construction of the road and bridges to ensure smooth revival of the cement factor.

    “Some masqueraders have been coming that they want to invest in NIGERCEM. You don’t invest in what that does not belong to you and you people are not greedy people, you are nice people. We are together with Ibeto and we are not looking backwards and very soon,  you will see construction work here,” he told the host communities.

     

  • Absenteeism: Umahi suspends two health workers

    Absenteeism: Umahi suspends two health workers

    Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state has directed the indefinite suspension of two Community Health Extension Workers attached to the Abakaliki Primary Healthcare Center.

    The 2 Health Workers, Agwu Ngozi and Aneke Dorathy were suspended for being absent from duty at the weekend.

    The governor in release issued by his Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Emma Anya said the directive followed their absence from duty at the weekend when the Governor paid an unscheduled visit to the health facility located along Convent Road Abakaliki.

    Mr. Anya said that the visit was in continuation of his on the spot assessment of public facilities in the state to ascertain the commitment of workers to the development and growth of the health sector.

    According to him: “Governor Umahi frowned at the fact that the affected health workers stayed away from their work post contrary to his administration’s zero tolerance for absenteeism and lack of devotion to duty”.

    Mr. Anya stated further that consequently the Governor have ordered the Ministry of Health to follow due process in ensuring that the 2 health workers were dismissed from office.