By CHARLES IWUOHA

Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. David Umahi, has lifted the ban he placed on social gatherings in Ekoli Edda, Afikpo South Local Government Area, following the political disturbance that recently erupted in the community.

During the fracas on Tuesday, three people were killed. Houses and other valuable property worth millions of naira were burnt.

Umahi announced the lifting of the ban when Stakeholders and people of Afikpo South paid him Christmas homage at his Uburu Country Home, Ohaozara Local Government Area on Thursday.

Governor Umahi said the lifting of the ban followed pleas by Elders and Stakeholders of the Area.

He warned that he would not hesitate to hold the Leaders liable should there be further breakdown of law and order in the whole of Edda Clan.

“I want to lift the ban today but if there is any place there is crises in the area, I will hold the leaders of the place to account.

“I am banning any shooting in the whole of Afikpo South, whether canon or whatever, no shooting in any burial or throwing of knockout. If you try it, I will arrest and prosecute you,” he said.

On the recent killings in Edda, the Governor remarked that he will not spare anyone found culpable, saying: “I will teach them some lessons so that other big men will learn.”

He urged the Chairman of the Local Government to stand neutral, saying: “Stand with the people, so far you are doing very, very well.”

Umahi announced plans to sink boreholes at the Iyere Bridge to address obvious water scarcity in Edda Land.

“Edda has the problem of water and I have discovered that I can get water at Iyere Bridge and I am going to sink so many boreholes.”

The Governor announced that the State Government has acquired the whole landed space at Ogwuma Edda landslide site until the reconstruction is completed.

He warned the people to keep off the area to avoid compounding the situation.

The Governor also reiterated plans to build twenty upstairs to resettle those displaced at the site.

Retired Permanent Secretaries, Forum of Serving Councillors, Department of Market Development, Akubaruoha Youth Assembly, CAN Chairmen of Ebonyi South Zone, Ministry of Infrastructure and Market Women Association were also hosted by the governor.

Leaders of the groups, Chima Ekumankama, Evoh Okechukwu, Dr. Ngozi Obichukwu, Mr. Felix Mkpuma, Mr. Mark Onu, Mr. Frank Ngwu, Mrs. Adaeze Akochi restated their determination to keep supporting his administration.