By CHARLES IWUOHA

Ebonyi State House of Assembly has approved over N1.6bn for Governor David Umahi to bankroll exit packages for stakeholders.

The approval is coming barely 25 days to the expiration of Umahi’s tenure on May 29, 2023 handover to the incoming administration in the state.

The approval of the said sum was debated on the floor of the House by members led by the Deputy Speaker, Hon Kinsley Ikoro, representing Afikpo North West Constituency.

The leader of the State House of Assembly, Victor Chukwu, representing Ezza North West Constituency, who spoke to newsmen shortly after the house sitting on Wednesday, said the approval of the said fund was for the interest of the citizens of the state and not for the governor.

According to him, “We only approved a fund for an exit package, which is targeted at appreciating those who have worked with the governor. It is a welfare package for the citizens of the state.

“It is an extension of the empowerment program that the governor has been doing and there is nothing new about it. The fund wasn’t approved for him as a governor but for the interest of Ebonyi citizens. We only approved one billion, six hundred million.”

It was gathered that the members of the House equally confirmed the appointment of four commissioner nominees that was sent to them by the governor.

The commissioner nominees include; Barr. Emeka Nwode from Ikwo LGA, Hon Enekwachi Akpa from Ohaozara LGA, Dr. Obianuju Alo from Ishielu LGA and one other whose name is yet to be identified at the time of filing this report.

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