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Tag: Martin Elechi

  • FG will pay special attention to tourism – Jonathan

    FG will pay special attention to tourism – Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday promised that his administration will continue to pay special attention to the tourism sector in his transformation agenda.

    He stated this at the opening ceremony of the 28th National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) 2014 at the Abakaliki Township Stadium, Ebonyi.

    Represented by the Vice President, Arc Namadi Sambo, the President said because culture and tourism constitute a vector for job creation and economic empowerment for the youths and women government will continue giving the sector the necessary attention it deserves.

    The President said, “The federal government believes that a proper grasp of the people’s culture enhances understanding and smooth administration at all levels. We also believe that for tourism to make significant contribution to the Gross Domestic Product, it must be driven by the people’s culture and heritage.

    “We are happy to note that the success of Nollywood that is giving Nigeria a good image in the international arena has become a potent tool of national re-branding. This is attracting the desired global attention to our nation and its culture.”

    Ebonyi State Governor, Martin Elechi, described the theme of this year’s festival, “Celebrating Nigeria at 100-The role of culture and tourism as a vehicle for national unity” as appropriate and timely.

    He said, “Even though culture in itself always portrays the tendency to discriminate against people of different background, the sudden awareness of its relevance as a pillar of civilization and an emblem of identity has proved that it is also a unifying factor in our quest for national integration.

    “Together we are a formidable force, together we represent the rich heritage of identity, together we have woven ourselves as one people unified and striving to be together.”

     

  • ‘Indigenes want Health minister to succeed me’

    ‘Indigenes want Health minister to succeed me’

    Ebonyi State Governor Martin Elechi said yesterday that the indigenes want the Health Minister, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, to succeed him, because of his sterling qualities.

    Addressing State House correspondents in Abuja, he said Chukwu has not shown interest in the position, “but people are urging him to vie.”

    Said he: “First, let me put the facts straight. The minister of health has no ambition to become the governor or occupy any political office. But Ebonyi people have assessed him and we think he is a good material. So, we appeal to him to answer the call of his people.

    “I knew him for many years as the chief medical director in our teaching hospital. He is a serious-minded person. As the minister of health, the country is his witness. He is focused and determined to do things right and I think we need people like that. People who do things right.

    “We have not endorsed him, we are saying he should show interest. It is at the congress that we shall choose whoever we want. It is not against the dictates of the National Working Committee (NWC).

    “There is no conscription in our own case. When you appeal to somebody to show interest, you know many people are shy and they don’t want to come out, but the people who are to be served are the people who determine their own destiny. It is up to them to choose who they like. It is not an imposition of any kind.”

     

     

    “People are saying we know you are good, come and continue your good work at this level. I think this makes the job easier for the party.”

     

  • Why we want Chukwu as governor – Elechi

    Why we want Chukwu as governor – Elechi

    Ebonyi State Governor, Martin Elechi, on Tuesday maintained that the people of the state want the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, to succeed him because he has the capacity to do the job.

    Speaking with State House correspondents in Abuja, Elechi said Chukwu has not shown any interest for the position, but the people in the state are appealing to him to come and take up the position in 2015.

    He said: “First let me put the facts straight, the Minister of Health has no ambition to become governor or hold any other political office but we the people of Ebonyi State have assessed him and we think he is a good material to do the job. So we are appealing to him, he is not canvassing, but we want to conscript him to answer the call of his people.”

    “I have known him for many years as Chief Medical Director in our teaching hospital back home. He is a serious minded person and as minister of health the nation can testify to his capability. He is focused and determined to do things right and I think we need people like that. People who do things right.”

    He went on: “We have not endorsed him, we are saying he should show interest, it is still the state congress that will choose whoever they want. It is not against the dictates of the NWC.”

    “There is no conscription in our own case. When you appeal to somebody to show interest, you know many people are shy and they don’t want to come out but the people who are to be served, are the people who determine their own destiny. It is up to them to choose whom they like, it is not an imposition of any kind.”

    “People are saying we know you are good, come and continue your good works at this level and I think that makes the job easier for the party.”

  • Elechi: 2015 polls may be postponed, if…

    Elechi: 2015 polls may be postponed, if…

    Ebonyi State Governor Martin Elechi has said the 2015 elections may be postponed, if the security situation in the country does not improve.

    The governor addressed reporters yesterday in Abakaliki, the state capital, as part of activities marking today’s 54th independence anniversary of the nation and 18th anniversary of the state’s creation.

    Elechi, who was responding to a question on his successor, said the people would decide who succeeds him in 2015.

    He said: “I don’t know why we are so unsettled about this matter. The time table is out and the actors are going to make themselves available. You give the impression that I will single-handedly say this is my successor. It has to come by way of consensus and by election. So, please, do not overheat the polity. What is important now is that we face our projects and programmes.

    “What if the elections don’t come? You should pray more that we overcome the destabilising factors that are shaking the nation with probability. I am not saying they will succeed, but they are with the probability of stalling all elections.

    “If the nation is at war – and this is a constitutional provision – such that elections can’t be held, elections will be postponed.

    “We should be more concerned about ensuring peace and stability in the country rather than who succeeds who.

    “If I am alive till May 29, 2015, I will hand over to somebody.”

  • May Day: Elechi tasks workers on security

    May Day: Elechi tasks workers on security

    Ebonyi State Governor, Martin Elechi, on Thursday called on all workers in the state to be more security conscious in their daily activities.
    He made the call in his address during the 2014 May Day Celebrations at the Abakaliki Township Stadium.
    The governor said the call is expedient now that “the menace of terror coupled with its increasing diversity and sophistication makes it incumbent on all citizens to be alert at all times.”
    Elechi, however, noted that “like every other manifestation of evil, I am convinced that terrorism is a passing phase in our national life and by the grace of God, our nation shall overcome it.”
    In its own address, the organized labour in the state condemned in strong terms the spate of killings, abduction and destruction of property by the Boko Haram sect, mostly in the north eastern part of the country.
    In a joint address by the chairmen of NLC and TUC in the state, Comrades Joseph Nweke and Elias Oduma, the unions lamented that the victims of last month’s Nyanya bomb blast which claimed about 80 lives were workers, who had come to board buses to their respective offices.
    Harping on the theme of the celebration, “Building Peace and Unity: Panacea for Sustainable National Development,” the labour leaders urged all stakeholders in the Nigeria project to as a matter of urgency show greater commitment towards building enduring peace and unity in the country.

     

  • Ebonyi to complete bond payment in 2015

    Ebonyi to complete bond payment in 2015

    Ebonyi State Governor Martin Elechi has said it will take his successor four months to repay the N16.5 billion he borrowed from the capital market in 2010.

    He said with the N15 billion approved by the House of Assembly, another seven years are needed, a total of 88 months to repay the N31.5 billion.

    The govenor said after obtaining the new “controversial” N15 billion from the capital market, Ebonyi should expect a “bigger borrowing.”

    The governor has, since 2007, embarked on major projects, including the state university estimated at $500 million.

    He said: “Borrowing is not a new phenomenon. The bond of 2010 was programmed to be paid in full by September 2015, meaning that when we bow out, the next administration will only pay it for four months and that will be the ending. But that will not be the end of our problems. We have to refinance the existing debt to make the loan lighter to have an advantage over the situation that is prevailing now.”

    Elechi said the Federal Government advised him to take the bond since the $250 million being facilitated by his American consultants would not be available until 2016, as it is an offshore loan that needs the National Assembly’s approval.

    “The attempt to borrow money this time around did not originate from us. It originated from our American consultants. These were the people who originated the issue of borrowing for the second time and they have applied on our behalf $250 million from America.”

    “We were to receive it in January but the Federal Government said because it is an offshore loan, it is subject to the approval by the National Assembly. And going by the schedule of loans awaiting to be scrutinised, this application will not come on stream before 2016. And therefore what we want to do will not be done, Elechi said.

    As a result of this, he noted “it was the Federal Government that is advising us to borrow the N15 billion bond that the House of Assembly has approved.

    “We need money to accelerate our development. What I am saying is that long before now, government has been in the habit of borrowing to accelerate development. In 2010, we went to the capital market and borrowed N20 billion. After careful assessments of our ratings in terms of our ability to pay, it was reduced to N16.5 billion.”

    But Elechi said the bond could not complete all projects targeted, so the United Bank of Africa (UBA) gave us a short term loan to build the international market.

     

  • Abakaliki rice mill is unhygienic, says Elechi

    Abakaliki rice mill is unhygienic, says Elechi

    Ebonyi State Governor Martin Elechi yesterday said the Abakaliki Rice Mill is unhygienic for rice production.

    The governor spoke in Abakaliki at a town hall meeting at the Women Development Centre.

    The mill had been embroiled in a face-off with the government over the latter’s decision to relocate the millers to the three new rice milling machines it built in the three senatorial zones.

    The industrial court had ruled in favour of the state but the millers went to the appeal court.

    Elechi said the dirt at the Abakaliki Rice mill and the hazards associated with it could be disastrous to the people’s health.

    He said the government would relocate the rice millers to different clusters.

    According to him, the danger posed to the rice consumers prompted the government to establish the three modern rice mills.

    He said: “Anybody who sees the condition in which rice is processed will not eat that rice. On the other hand we have three modern rice mills in the three senatorial zones with sprawling grounds laid out with concrete drains to ensure that the place is hygienic.”

    “I want to warn the rice millers that much as we will not disobey the order of court, we have an obligation to ensure that the city is not flooded and whatever remedial measures we will do to avert a big disaster on the city and on our people, we will go ahead to do it.”

    “As things stand now the mountain of ashes behind the rice mill is frightening, with the uncertainty of weather and natural conditions, anything can happen. It will not be a surprise if the entire mountain of ashes blows into the city.”

    “It is also partially responsible for our decision to relocate the university away from there”.

    On the N15 billion bond his administration is planning, the governor said the money would be utilised for infrastructure that would attract investors to the state.

    He said ‘the major borrowing is yet to come’ as the administration intends to borrow more from the African Development Bank (ADB) to rebuild the ring road linking eight local governments.

    “The major borrowing is yet to come. We toured the ring road with a team from ADB. They toured the road and they were determined, they said they must assist us to ensure that the road is rebuilt and when that is done they will come in a bigger way to assist Ebonyi in trade and industry.”

     

    8. ABIA APC: we are READY TO TAKE OVER IN 2015

    UGOCHUKWU UGOJI-EKE, UMUAHIA

     

    The ward congress of Abia State All Progressives Congress (APC), which was scheduled to hold last Saturday, held yesterday in a peacefully at the 184 wards in the 17 local government areas.

    Speaking with The Nation in Umuahia, the state chairman of the

    congress for APC and the Commissioner for nformation and Strategy in

    Osun, Chief Sunday Akere, said they had been in the state for six days preparing for the ward congress.

    Akere said the party headquarters had told them to liaise with the state’s electoral body and security agencies.

    He said the materials for the congress had been distributed, adding that results would come in about 6 p.m. yesterday.

    He said the state APC was blessed with great men and women. “With what I am seeing today in the state and the cordial relationship that exists among party members, we are ready to take over the state in 2015.”

    Akere noted that members of the party have respect for internal democracy, “as many people have collected forms in a peaceful way, filled the forms and the congress done while we are awaiting the results.”

    He explained that the congress was for card-carrying members and that no one was exempted.

    State Interim Chairman of APC, Chief Donatus Nwankpa hailed Akere and his

    team for their handling of the ward congress, saying it was a sign of better things to come to the party.

    Nwankpa said members conducted themselves well.

    “This shows we are ready to take over governance in 2015, as the congress was conducted according to the rules of INEC and under the watch of

    security agencies.”

     

  • Elechi: Nigeria too dependent on oil

    Elechi: Nigeria too dependent on oil

    Ebonyi State Governor Martin Elechi yesterday lamented that the country’s economy is “dry”.

    He said over-dependence on oil, instead of diversifying to other areas, is responsible for this.

    The governor, who spoke when signing into law the 2014 Appropriation Bill of N99, 840,505,540.00, urged the indigenes not to relent in the payment of taxes.

    Elechi said the state would seek financial assistance from development partners in the United States of America (USA) and the Africa Development Bank (ADB), to fulfil its infrastructural obligation to the people.

    Said he: “Our economy is dry. This is why we are asking for assistance in soft terms from USA and ADB to ensure the economic take off in Ebonyi. We must be prudent.

    “We will be strict in the approval of meetings not to be left out of national schemes. We will be economical in attending meetings outside the state. We cannot be doing everything because other states are doing it.

    “It is easier to pass a budget into law than to find the money to implement it. People should pay tax. Because we are blessed with oil wells, people tend to depend on them. The civil duty of tax payment should not be treated with levity. It gives us a sense of belonging.

    “In the years ahead, we shall be more stringent to ensure that our objectives are achieved. We are trying to perform in the sub-sectors of the economy- education, agriculture, health, etc. You cannot say anyone has been neglected. These sub-units are attended to in the budget.”

    Speaker of the House of Assembly Chukwuma Nwazunku noted that the 2014 budget was structured to ensure increase in the Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR).

    He said the administration policies were targeted at ensuring speedy development of the sub-sectors.

    Nwazunku enjoined politicians not to rupture the peace because of the forthcoming elections.

     

  • Elechi’s short-lived borrowed robes

    Elechi’s short-lived borrowed robes

    ON December 27, Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State was widely reported by many newspapers to have condemned President Goodluck Jonathan’s proposed national conference. Everyone was befuddled. Obviously pleasantly surprised, the Southeast zone of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) was quick to hail and endorse the governor’s position, which they described as courageous and wise. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on whose platform the Democratic Republic of Congo-trained economist was elected, was, however, quick to deplore Mr Elechi’s uncharacteristic deprecation of the confab. It turned out the governor’s critics were all mistaken and unduly hasty.

    Going by what was attributed to the governor on that controversial Friday in December, it is not surprising that a huge fireball of controversy followed it. He had said, “The National conference to me is a big joke, waste of time and a distraction to Goodluck Jonathan. I’m skeptical about it. It will not achieve anything. The constitution gives the National Assembly the power to makes laws and the referendum cannot override the deliberations of the National Assembly. The best was the colloquium by former President Obasanjo in 2005. There, all segments of national life talked and took far-reaching decisions. I will still consult my people, but if at the end they decide to participate, I will not stop anybody but I will distance myself and be an on-looker.”

    Three days after this alleged denunciation of the national conference, Mr Elechi published a denial in Nigeria’s leading dailies. In it he claimed he was misquoted, as they often say in these parts, for mischievous reasons, and that the attribution to him amounted to ‘wicked distortions.’ He claimed that what he really said was that it would be a huge joke to campaign for zonal representation of delegates to the conference on account of the existing 36-state structure supported by the constitution. He also added that he merely referred to the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo 2005 confab to draw the attention of the new confab to existing work on the issue.

    It is hard to tell where the mistake came from, if indeed it really was. If the misrepresentation came from reporters, it was an unpardonable blunder. If, however, the governor misspoke, surely reporters who knew him well, and were conversant with his antecedents, should have reported his remarks guardedly. How could they dress a governor who is an unrepentant conservative and pro-presidency politician in borrowed, progressives robe? The newspapers should have contextualised their reports with facts suggesting that Mr Elechi’s purported statements were shocking and uncharacteristic, especially considering how in his about seven years in office he never for once made a controversial statement, nor did anything unusual worth anyone taking the trouble of remembering. They should have underscored their stories by drawing readers’ attention to the fact that the governor, in words and actions, always detested publicity of any kind, whether positive or negative.

    Except he was in a state of suspended animation, Mr Elechi could never make a statement that would challenge his party, not to talk of the president. And except everyone is mistaken, Mr Elechi will now retreat deeper into the self-imposed obscurity he had been enamoured of since he assumed office in 2007.

  • Ebonyi budgets N99.840b

    Ebonyi budgets N99.840b

    Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State yesterday presented a budget estimate of N99.840 billion to the House of Assembly.

    The ‘Budget of Stabilisation’ represents a 4.45 per cent reduction compared with the 2013 appropriation of over N104.374 billion.

    A breakdown of the budget shows that N41.368 billion or 41 per cent is for recurrent expenditure, while capital expenditure has a provision of N53.473 billion or 54 per cent.

    Elechi said N17.683 billion (18 per cent) would come from internally-generated revenue (IGR), while N32.285 billion (32 per cent) is expected from statutory allocation.

    “Capital receipts will account for N29.934 billion (30 per cent), while external loans will provide N5 billion (5 per cent) of the budget. The projected opening balance is N14.937 billion (15 per cent) of the budget.”