By Joyce Onuora, Abakaliki
Following the suspension of some government functionaries over gross misconduct, Ebonyi State governor, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has lifted the suspension on the Permanent Secretaries, Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants.
The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Jude Okpor disclosed this while briefing Journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council Meeting, he noted that governor Nwifuru lifted their suspensions after consideration of concerns related thereto.
“His Excellency and chairman of the council in exercise of his prerogative, graciously lifted the suspension on the two Senior Special Assistants, three Special Assistants, one Personal Assistant and two Permanent Secretaries”‘ he stated.
Okpor said the council approved the procurement of additional twenty (20) buses to the fleet of EBOTRANS company.
“The council also approved the direct procurement of a modern towing van with multipurpose potentials for the services of the Ministry of Transport and Special Project, especially in the evacuation of abandoned vehicles for unhindered traffic flow, forestall road carnage and ensure safety of lives and properties in the state.
“In furtherance of his effort to empower more Ebonyians, especially in the Agricultural sector to ensure that they become self-reliant with major boost in food production and security in the state, the council approved the enrolment of 200 nominees,with at least one from each political ward to embark on Agro training of the prospective beneficiaries at the Called Servant to Serve (CSS) Farms, Nasarawa State.
“In keeping with the People’s Charter of Needs policy of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Bldr. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, FNIOB, FCAI, GGCEHF, particularly in the area of youths and sports development, and in an effort to have Ebonyi State participate in the 2024/25 Nigerian National Football League (NNFL), EXCO approved the purchase of a football club.
“EXCO approved the request from the Ministry of Skill Development and Job Creation for the training of 100 Ebonyi youths on electrical maintenance and installations in collaboration with the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI). This is in furtherance of the human capital development policies of the state government to be implemented under the supervision of the Deputy Governor”, the Commissioner said.
He noted that because of the number of lives lost on daily basis at the Eke-Imoha market in the state l, especially on Eke market days, the council approved the construction of a pedestrian bridge to forestall further loss of lives in the area.
On infrastructure, he said “in view of the high premium the present administration placed in the provision of basic infrastructures across the state, the council approved the Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME) for the following projects and further directed the State Council for Public Procurement to advertise and award.
“Construction of three-span bridge (45 meters) with two box culverts at Ike River, Amaeke in Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area.
” Construction of Amaeke-Ike River Road (4km), Ishiagu in Ivo LGA of Ebonyi State.
” Construction of the 4.0km Ekwetekwe/Ogbuinyagu – Umuezkoka Road.
“Construction of the three-span bridge (45 metres) across Akadoro River, Alubeleke, Umuezeoka, Ezza North LGA.
“All these are geared towards opening the road networks in our rural areas for easy transportation of farm produce”
