Umahi reverses directive on the suspension of October, September salaries, running costs of officials, says  open to talks with Labour

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state has revised his directive on the suspension of the October salaries and September running costs of some members of his cabinet, local government caretaker committee chairmen and development council coordinators.

The governor had  given the directive when he noticed that some of the state  public had not turned up for  a school debate organised by his administration to mark this year independence of the nation and the 19th year of the creation of Ebonyi State.

But Eng. Umahi  made  a U-turn  barely a few hours after he learnt that most of the affected officials had other state functions that made them arrive late for the event.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Emma Anya, explained that the pardon was “in the general interest of the state and out of the large- heartedness of the state Chief Executive.”

The statement also dismissed report in a national daily on Tuesday that the state’s Deputy Governor, Dr. Kelechi Igwe, was locked out of the venue of the event.

“For the purpose of clarity, the Deputy Governor was out on an official assignment and rejoined the function later on. The allegation is therefore mischievous and embarrassing,” Anya added.

Governor Umahi have also called on the state  workers  to show understanding as his government is still open for negotiation of the workers’ remunerations.

Umahi stated the administration’s disposition during an interdenominational church service to mark Nigeria’s 55th Independence and 19^th year anniversary of  the creation of Ebonyi  state at  the St.John Evangelist Catholic Church, Okpaugwu,Abakaliki.

The Governor Umahi, who regretted the continuous dwindling   oil price  , also called on the church to pray for President Muhammadu  Buhari and the government of Ebonyi state .

He expressed  optimism that God who gave  him and Buhari the  power to govern would surely bring to an end,  the bad economic situation facing the country.

“I ask the  church to pray for our president, the president of this country.I don’t believe that after the election,we should still continue to talk about party. We should talk about how to move the country forward.”

Governor Umahi said the major thrust of his administration was to fight corruption because it  was the major problem that had kept  Nigeria and  states in bad shape.

He described the capital city of Abakaliki as the lowest compared to other capital cities in the country and expressed the  commitment of his administration to turn around the city within six months.

“We have started  within the next six   months,  we should have been able to complete at least a 100- kilometer of roads in the capital city,and there is no pressure that will stop it, “he stated.

Governor Umahi called on those building their houses on roadsides in the state to desist from such  act as government would not take it kindly them.
Governor Umahi warned  that the cleanness of the city must be ensured.

He  appreciated the Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN),Ebonyi state chapter,  for its  strong support  for his administration.

He added  that since independence gives the country freedom to conduct its affairs, the citizens should utilise it to attract God’s favour.
Prayers for peace and unity of the country,good governance at all levels were offered during the church service   was attended also by the Deputy Governor of the state, Kelechi Igwe, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Francis Nwifuru and members of the state Executive Council.