By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Ebonyi State Executive Council has earmarked a total sum of 2.7 billion naira for the massive empowerment of Citizens in the State.

The Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Chief Uchenna Orji, announced this while briefing Newsmen on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting held at the new government House, centenary city, Abakaliki.

According to Orji, about three thousand Ebonyians would be empowered with three hundred thousand naira each under the first phase of the programme.

He said: “We received the final report on the empowerment of Ebonyi Youths and Women. In the proposal, each beneficiary is to receive the sum of Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N300, 000). EXCO approved the final list of 3000 beneficiaries and further set up a sub-committee to prepare a proposal for the launch of the empowerment programme.

“EXCO also released the sum of Nine Hundred Million Naira (N900, 000,000.00) for empowerment which is a bye-product of #ENDSARS and directed beneficiaries to go to the office of the Deputy Governor for final verification and documentation of their names.

“The list would be forwarded to the office of the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation for publication in at least two National Dailies ahead of the disbursement flag-off exercise. The launch of this programme shall be by first week of August, 2022.

“EXCO released the sum of Nine Hundred Million Naira (N900,000,000.00) for the NG-Cares Programme and the targets are the farmers, SMEs, Market Men and Women, Youths, Chamber of Commerce, Public Works Volunteers and this shall be disbursed through CSDA, FADAMA and MSMEs under the Ministries of Human Capital Development, Agriculture and Natural Resources as well as Commerce and Industry.”

The Chairman of the Committee is the Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Mr. Orlando Nweze, while the Deputy Governor will supervise the exercise.”

Commissioner Orji also announced that the Exco-in session effected a minor reshuffle with Chief Sunday Ugwuocha who was the Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment being sworn in as the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development.

“The Former Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment Prince Sunday Ugwuocha was sworn-in as substantive Commissioner and deployed as Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development.

“Former Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Chief Clement Nweke was redeployed to the Ministry of Project Monitoring

“Hon Mark Onu (SA on Youth Mobilization) was redeployed as SA to the Governor on Drug control.

“Njoku Ozoemena (SA on Solid Minerals) is to be reassigned by the Deputy Governor.

“Ofoke Kerian Emeka (SA on Attitudinal Change) is to be reassigned by the Deputy Governor.”

On the Exco approval to hand over the King David University of Medical Sciences Uburu to the Federal Government, Commissioner Orji said Exco received the report and directed the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Cletus Ofoke, Commissioner for Education and Principal Secretary to initiate the process of repeal of the establishing Law to allow for the takeover by the Federal Government.

“EXCO received a memo for EXCO approval to handover King David University of Medial Sciences Uburu, Ebonyi State to the Federal Government. It would be recalled that during the visit of the President of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari to Ebonyi State between the 5th and 7th May 2022, he accepted the request of the State Government that the University be taken over by the Federal Government. EXCO approved the request to hand over the University to the Federal Government and directed the HAG, the Commissioner for Education and the Principal Secretary to initiate the process of the repeal of the Law creating the University and of the creation of a new Law to ensure a smooth handover of the University to the Federal Government. They are to submit their report within two (2) weeks.”

According to Chief Orji, Exco noted with dismay the increased prevalence of rape and drug abuse in the State and directed that rape cases be prosecuted without shielding sacred cows.

Exco however re-asignated the Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Mobilization, Honourable Mark Onu to lead the war against Drug Abuse as Special Assistant on Drug Control.

“EXCO reviewed the unfortunate increase in the rate of rape in Ebonyi State and commended the office of Her Excellency the Wife of the Governor and the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for a very beautiful job they are doing in the fight against rape in the State. EXCO directed that there should be no sacred cow in the enforcement of the Laws on Rape.

It directed the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Information and State Orientation, the office of the SA Students Affairs, SA Strategy and SSA Religious and Welfare Matter to carry out urgent State campaigns against rape in public institutions including churches, schools, markets and other public places.

“EXCO also noted the submissions on increased use of hard drugs in the society and designated Mr. Mark Onu to head the campaign against hard drugs and to go to all joints and market places and to work with police and Ebubeagu Security outfit to apprehend the perpetrators.

“EXCO received a brief on Rwanda trip by government officials in the State and directed the Commissioners for Investment, Health and Environment to formalize the MOU with Zipline and ensure the take-off of the project in the State from 1st of August, 2022.”

The Information Commissioner also announced that the Exco received a proposed bill to establish Public Complaints Commission in the State and directed the Committee Chaired by the Honourable Attorney General, to review the bill and bring report in the next EXCO for further deliberation.

“EXCO received a proposed bill for Law to establish Public Complaints Commission in the State and directed the Committee Chaired by the Honourable Attorney General, to review the bill and bring report in the next EXCO meeting.

Other members of the committee are: Commissioner for Information and State Orientation – Secretary while other members include: SSA Legal Head of Service Permanent Secretary Ministry of Justice.”

The Executive Council expressed happiness with the progress of work at the various flyovers and urged the Commissioner for works to expedite action to ensure that they are completed by the end of next month.

“EXCO commended highly, the Commissioner for Works and Transport for the quality of work at the Iyere Edda Flyover, Amasiri Flyover, Bishop Michael Nnachi Okoro Flyover, Kings Fidelis Nweze Flyover and Nkalagu Flyover and urged him to ensure that they are completed before the end of August, 2022.

The Executive Council also commended the Commissioner for Trade and Investment for her efforts at the Salt City Estate and hopes that works will be completed by the end of August, 2022.