Gov Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State
The Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu and Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, have visited the Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi at his country home in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area.
Neither Onu nor Umahi spoke to the press after the visit which was seen by a large gathering at the Umahi compound as ending a seemingly political animosity between the two Uburu-born politicians.
The governor belongs to the Peoples Democratic Party while Onu, a former governor of the old Abia State, is a member of the All Progressives Congress.
The Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ohaozara LGA , Justice Ogbonna, described the visit as a sign of peace and unity in Uburu community.
‘’The visit has put to rest the peoples’ insinuation that Dr. Onu and our governor are not enjoying good relationship, forgetting that both of them come from the same community’’, the council chairman said.
He described governor Umahi as a special gift to the people of Ebonyi State who has within a short time of his administration recorded much achievements.
The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu,has called on people of Ebonyi State to continue to support Governor David Umahi in his efforts to develop the state.
Ekweremadu, who paid a Christmas homage to the governor at his Uburu residence in Ohaozara Local Government Area, said such support would make the governor deliver democracy dividends to them.
‘’It when you cooperate with him that he will be spurred to do more for you. That democracy dividend he promised you during electioneering will be difficult to meet in atmosphere of rancour,’’he told other visitors who were also on a similar homage.
The deputy Senate President described the victory of Governor Umahi in the last governorship election in the state as the act of God.
He said, ‘his administration is an instrument ordained by God for the unification of Ebonyi State’
Senator Ekweremadu assured that he would use his position to galvanize both local and international support for the Govenor Umahi- led administration to enable it accelerate the development of the state.
He expressed confidence that the ongoing efforts by Umahi to transform the markets in the state into modern markets would attract both local and international investors to the state.
Others that paid Christmas homage to the governor were the state Commissioner of Police, Peace Abdallah, a delegation from the Ezza South LGA , Association of Persons with Disabilities, Abakaliki Main Market Traders Association and Governor Umahi’s 1976 classmates in Uburu.
Addressing the people of Ezza South, Engr. Umahi described the Ezza nation as a major force behind his success at the April governorship election.
He saluted the courage displayed by them during the electioneering period even in the face of intimidation.
Explaining that the appointment of many Ezza people as his cabinet members was a reward for their strong support and commitment, he promised to energise Onueke in the first quarter of next year in the ongoing rural electrification in the state.
The member representing Ikwo/ Ezza Federal Constituency, Chief Lazarus Ogbee, assured Umahi of the continued support of the people of Ezza . He said that the National Assembly would remain focused in 2016 to make good laws that would improve the lives of every Nigerian.
Other visitors to the governor’s country home included members of the state Executive Council, the stakeholders of Ikwo Local Government Area led by the state Deputy Governor, Dr. Eric Kelechi Igwe; the Board and Management of the state College of Education, led by its chairman, Engr. Fidelis Nwankwo; the Governing Council of the state University, Abakaliki led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Francis Idike; the Rector of Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Afikpo, Venerable Ogbonnaya Ibe- Enwo; Ohaukwu Local Government Stakeholders; the state Traditional Rulers’ Council led by His Royal Highness, Charles Mkpuma; and members of the State Fiscal Responsibility Commission.
Addressing the visitors, Governor Umahi thanked them for coming to share the joy of Christmas with him.
The governor used the occasion of his audience with the members of the state Executive Council to announce the suspension of the collection of Internally Generated Revenue for the month of January, 2016.
According him, ‘collection of Internally Generated Revenue, IGR should be suspended for the month of January for government to come up with civilized method of revenue drive in the state’
The governor similarily announced the lifting of the suspension order on the Special Assistant to the Governor on Talent Development and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Jacinta Nworie.
He said ‘the first thing to give you this Christmas is to lift the suspension order on one of you’. Umahi appauladed the council members for their commitment to duty and urged them to be peace makers and bridge builders.
He declared the 31st of this month as a day of fasting and prayers by the Executive Council Members for the state and for their families.’
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