Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has charged Senior Technical Assistants and Technical Assistants to participate fully in governance.

Umahi gave the advice during an end of the year dinner he organised for them at the International Conference Center in Abakaliki on Monday.

Umahi, who was full of gratitude to some STAs and TAs assigned to monitor the cleanliness of Abakaliki, however, expressed dissatisfaction with some STAs and TAs that had not integrated themselves into the vision and mission of his government.

He said: “A lot of you are not participating in any government activities. Like those in agriculture, they are not participating and that is very dangerous. If you are just earning the allowances we pay to you, then it is of no use; our mission is not fulfilled.”

The governor called on all the appointees, particularly those assigned to the agricultural sector to fully participate in the agricultural policies of his government, including dry season farming.

A statement by the governor’s spokesman, Emma Anya, quoted Umahi as having told the aides to think of the future since a time might come when no fund would be getting to states from the Federation Account.

Umahi said one of the surest ways to be dependent especially in such time was for the states to fall back to agriculture.

“A time will come when there will be no money to share from the Federation Account.

There is no EXCO member that doesn’t have a farm. Even House of Assembly members have farms. So, if there is no money from the Federation Account, we will be able to beat our chest and say ‘We have our farms.”

Commending Ebonyians participating in agriculture, the Governor warned that he would not tolerate any of his aides who did not key into the agricultural policies of his administration.

Umahi also announced a new package of vocational training for STAs and TAs who without handiwork beginning from next year.

He explained that after the training, N300,000 each would be given to them to inject into any business of their choice.

Umahi also charged STAs and TAs on security to ensure that there is no case of kidnapping and armed robbery in the yuletide season.

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