By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Federal Government has approved the sum of N15 billion for the establishment of a power plant in Ebonyi State.

Governor David Umahi announced this on Monday during a town hall meeting with the people of Ezza Nation at the International Airport complex in Onueke, Ezza South local Government Area of the state.

He announced that the project which promises to be the best in South- East Nigeria would be sited at Umuoghara, Ezza North Local Government Area of the State.

“I want to announce to you that President Buhari has approved a total of 15 billion naira project in Umuoghara, the best power plant in the South East in your domain,” he said.

Governor Umahi also announced that the International Airport would be ready for commissioning and flight operations in the month of April 2023.

“This Airport, I am building it without measure, the Federal Ministry of Aviation came here and said that it is the most beautiful and biggest in the entire Africa.

“By April we must commission this Airport. Before I leave, the Airport will be busy,” he said.

He appealed to the people of Ezza nation to support the candidature of Right Honourable Francis Nwifuru for governorship so that they too would enjoy the support of other clans at their time.

“Ezza people are very intelligent and enterprising, match Ezza people against any other clan, they may not match Ezza people.

“Ezza will never make themselves Governor, we must work in alliance, be strategic, be wise, I stand for justice, equity and faireness, if you don't want to vote for Nwifuru, reduce the altercations.

“I am not asking you to drop your son, I am not God but I can tell you that your son will not win, I am not angry that South East voted for Obi, I am not angry because through Obi we have made a statement.

“We need to stop being parochial, stop being selfish.

“You will be everything you want to be, just restrategize to secure the future of Ezza Nation.

“If I have done nothing wrong to Odoh and he is castigating me, he will keep contesting election till the end of his life but he will never win. If I came in the name of God, there is nothing any bishop or pope will do to reverse this curse.

“The state is bigger than one clan, go and do what you did in 2015, in 2019 and since I am still on board, go and cap it up on Saturday and leave the rest for tomorrow.”

The Governor condemned the murder of the Traditional Ruler in Ezza North Local Government Area, Eze Igboke Ewa, recently by unknown gunmen and directed security agencies to get cracking to arrest all perpetrators.

“This man has been a towering figure for the Ezza Nation and the entire Ebonyi State.

“A man that is personally known by President Muhammadu Buhari and I know how much he grieved when he learnt of his death.

“Let me appeal for peace, there is no amount of retaliation that will bring back the man, God will judge.

“Ezza people, everything is not politics, conspiracy against the people must be rewarded by God,” Umahi said.

While directing Chairmen of Councils in Ezza land to provide security for all traditional rulers, Governor Umahi directed that all vigilante outfits in the State resume duty without delay to secure the lives and property of citizens.

“I am directing the two chairmen to give security to all traditional rulers. I hereby revive all vigilante groups, they should start working immediately.

“All those that the IG has declared wanted that killed Igboke Ewa, they must be fished out."

The Governor also cautioned clergy from making inciting statements to avoid overheating the polity.

“If you are a Priest or whatever, mind your words and stop inciting the people otherwise you will be arrested,” Umahi said.

The Secretary to the State Government and Coordinating Commissioner, Dr. Kenneth Ugbala, thanked the Governor for siting major projects of the State Government in Ezza land.

He assured that people of Ezza Nation would vote for all APC Candidates in Saturday's Governorship and State Assembly elections.

The Chairmen of Ezza North and South local government areas, Chief Moses Ogodo Ali Nomeh and Mrs. Euphemia Nwali, restated the resolve of the Ezza Nation to vote Nwifuru in the March 11 governorship elections so that at the appointed time the Izzi people and indeed all Ebonyians would repay the gesture.

The Chairman, South East Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Charles Mkpuma, a former member of the National Assembly, Chief Innocent Ugo Chima, Mr. Ben Nwobashi, and Mr. Chinedu Awo, among others, promised to work hard to deliver all APC candidates in the election.

A minute silence was observed in honour of the slain traditional ruler, Eze Igboke Ewa.

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