Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has said his administration would next month, deploy over N600 million to empower at least 2,400 women and youths in the state.

Umahi, who disclosed this on Friday while assenting to three bills recently passed into law by Ebonyi State House of Assembly, said he would soon send a letter to the lawmakers requesting for approval of part of the sum. He explained that the plan was part of his administration's effort to ensure that women and youths were made to engage in productive activities to fend for their families and contribute to the development of the state.

"The administration wants to deploy N600 million massively in the month of August towards ensuring that at least 2,400 of our youths and women have something doing in this state. So the request will be coming to you," the governor told the Assembly members who were present as he signed the bills.

Umahi commended the lawmakers for the speedy passage of the bills which he said would enhance development of the state.

The new laws are the Ebonyi State Primary Healthcare Development Law, Ebonyi State Law on Telecommunication Infrastructure Compliance and Maintenance Agency and Ebonyi State Property Enumeration and Registration Agency.

The governor said, "I want to thank the House of Assembly very dearly for the passage of these laws and for their deep appreciation and partnership with us.

"I am very excited for their patience and understanding and their zeal for Ebonyi projects. For me and other members of the State Executive Council and of course, together with you and the Judiciary, it has been how to secure the future of our children; it has been how to lift up this state because, no matter how much you pretend, if we are not updated ,we cannot compete with others when we go beyond Ebonyi State.

“And that's why I commend you very highly. You are one arm of government together with the Judiciary that understands very well the situations we are in now. I thank you for even going beyond your capacities and abilities to assist us.”

Umahi said the law on ICT maintenance agency would “regulate how people cut roads and mount masts that could destroy houses and produce certain things that are not good for the health of our people.”

On the law on property enumeration, he said, "Unfortunately, since the beginning of this state, we have no data on income tax, properties and premises. This law graciously passed is going to enable us to rightly move into homes and offices and try to do enumeration.

“It is very important to note that the way we want to operate this law you passed is that you will have records of landlords and tenants. It will also help us to track the movement of anybody in this state.”

He said that the law on primary healthcare was very important because if "our primary health care is not taken good care of, the secondary health system and the general hospital will be less attractive."

Umahi also disclosed that a letter had been written to the House of Assembly requesting it to make it imperative for the government to demand contributions from contractors working in the state.

He explained that such contributions would go straight to the Ministry of Empowerment and Job Creation for the empowerment of youths and women in the state.

Umahi also revealed that laws on pension and national health insurance scheme would soon be sent to the House of Assembly.

Governor Umahi had earlier inaugurated the Hospital Management and State Traditional Medicine boards with a charge to them to tackle fake drugs in the state.

The chairmen of the two boards, Dr. Sunday Nwangele and Ezeogo Charles Mkpuma, in their acceptance speeches, pledged that they would not disappoint the state.

•Photo shows Governor Umahi.

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