Gov Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State
Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi has directed that the bailout fund by the federal Government should not be used for any other thing in the state,but for salary payments.
Umahi gave the directive while inaugurating the State and Local Government Development Joint Committee Projects at the Government House, Abakaliki on Wednesday.
The governor, who explained that what people call bailout fund was a loan to all the states and local government areas in the country, warned against the misuse of the fund in the state.
He said, ” I want it to be on record,the bailout fund should only be used in paying salaries; it shouldn’t be used in doing any other thing.
“At least, a part of it should be in a dedicated salary account to enable us pay salaries every 20th of every month.”
Umahi also directed that 100% salary increase should be worked out for Ebonyi workers for the month of December as a palliative measure.
“So it is my directive that you should be able to work out 100% salary to what we pay,and it should be paid by 15th of December. Every civil servant should also go home with a small bag of rice,” he added.
Governor Umahi also said the measure would be taken once in a while until the nation’s economy improved to enable his government renegotiate with workers in the state.
“So it is my directive that you should be able to work out 100% salary to what we pay,and it should be paid by 15th of December. Every civil servant should also go home with a small bag of rice,” he added.
Governor Umahi also said the measure would be taken once in a while until the nation’s economy improved to enable his government renegotiate with workers in the state.
He told the joint project committee headed by Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters,Barr. Samuel Okoronkwo, that his administration was committed to developing the rural communities in the state.
The governor directed that 15 kilometer asphalt road should be constructed in each of the 13 Local Government Areas of the state before the first quarter of next year.
He called on the council chairmen to do a comprehensive account of the electricity projects in their areas to enable the committee come up with their cost.
He called on the council chairmen to do a comprehensive account of the electricity projects in their areas to enable the committee come up with their cost.
Meanwhile, Governor has canvassed that relevant laws of the state be taught in schools.
Speaking at the Government House Abakaliki, after signing into law four bills passed recently by the State House of Assembly, Governor Umahi, said “ I think these laws by the House of Assembly should be taught in our schools.”
The new laws are:
*Joint State & Local Governments Project Law,
* Internally Generated Revenue Law,
* Abakaliki Capital Territory Board Amendment Law, and
* The Environmental Law which repealed the Ebonyi State Environmental Protection Agency Law.
Governor Umahi also said that the people of the state should be enlightened on the provisions of the laws.
His words:“The State Commissioner for Information has to x-ray these laws; and put the essential parts of the laws on televisions and radio stations. It has to run at least for two weeks so that our people will digest it, especially the essential parts.”
The governor disclosed that his administration attached much importance to the laws as they would assist him meet his campaign promises .
He regretted that 19 years after the creation of the state, there was no revenue law in the state, stating that that made his administration to adopt a number of approaches to survive in view of the growing economic challenges in the country.
The governor noted that the new revenue law empowers the government to prosecute tax evaders in the law courts.
Governor Umahi, who stated that his government opted for joint project funding with the local government councils to ensure uniformity and to reduce cost; noted that the law that repealed EBSEPA streamlined the functions of the Ministry of Environment which were hitherto duplicated by the Ebonyi State Environmental Protection Agency.
He announced that under the Abakaliki Capital Territory Board Amendment Law, the New Abakaliki City would be known as Centenary City.
The governor commended the state House of Assembly for their dedication and appealed for the understanding of all to enable the government overcome the present economic hardship in the country.
In his address, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Francis Nwifuru, said the laws were painstakingly legislated upon without compromising due process of law making.
Nwifuru disclosed that the purpose of the law on IGR was principally to provide the instruments for the collection of chargeable taxes, revenue, penalties and all other monies accruable to the state government.
He also explained that the law on state and local government joint projects would provide modalities for the joint funding and execution of projects by the state and local governments.
Nwifuru said that the Environmental law was made to repeal the Ebonyi State Environmental Protection Agency Law, to guide the activities of the citizens.
Earlier, the State Commissioner for Justice, Rt. Hon. Augustine Nwankwagu stated that the content of the laws passed by the State House of Assembly reflected the wishes of the State Executive Council.
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