BEVERLY HILLS, March 22, (THEWILL) – The Engr. David Umahi’s giant strides in all sectors of development in Ebonyi State fulfils the popular saying that when a good leader is on the throne the people rejoice.
Since May 29, 2015, when the Apostle of Change came on board as the third civilian governor of the state, he has changed the face of the 24-year-old salt of Nation, and his name written in gold in the annals of the state as a result of the progress he has made in the areas of infrastructure development.
The initial projects which President Muhammadu Buhari commissioned include a 700-metre twin Trans-Sahara bridge linking Enugu and Ebonyi states with Cameroon; the Senator Offia Nwali flyover; the 14.5km Abakaliki-Afikpo road; foundation laying of the Ebonyi city mall; foundation laying of the Muhammadu Buhari bridge and unveiling of the Akanu Ibiam statue.
Interestingly, the latest flyover embarked upon by Umahi’s administration include the Abaomege, in Onicha local government area of the state which was named after the oil magnate, Prince Arthur Eze.
Notwithstanding the meagre Federal Allocation and state’s low internally generated revenue, Umahi also embarked on another two ongoing flyovers at Ezzamgbo in Ohaukwu local government and Nkalagu in Ishielu local government areas of the state.
With the on ongoing projects across the three senatorial zones in the state, Governor Umahi commenced an international airport at Onueke in Ezza South local government, which he vowed to complete come 2022 before the expiration of his administration.
Other ongoing projects in the state include the College of Medicine at Uburu Ohaozara local government his home town, the dualisation of Abakaliki-Afikpo road, Abakaliki-Enugu and the state international stadium.
As his achievements continue to ring bell not only in Ebonyi state, the nation but across the globe, Umahi has built an ultra-modern state Christian Ecumenical Centre in the city of Abakaliki which people have rated as a world class edifice.
Recently, the state governor gave an approval for the renovation and reconstruction of additional three 150-bed capacity in each general hospitals at lkwo, Onicha and lshielu local government areas of the state to provide quick medical services to the people.
He has also constructed a 300-bed lsolation and treatment centre at the Federal Medical-Centre Abakaliki, the reconstruction of the School of Health and Midwifery, equipping of the first class southern virology centre.
Currently, his administration rolled out an empowerment programme to lift 2,400 youths/hawkers with ₦250,000 each to enable them to either trade or farm; ₦250,000 to each of 800 persons comprising civil servants, women and men and stipend for 85 physically challenged persons.
In addition, Umahi has involved about 400 youths in governance as senior Technical Assistants.
At a time when all states universities were increasing their tuition fees, Umahi reduced the fees of Ebonyi State University and resumed sponsorship of Ebonyi state foreign scholarship programme.
The governor completed and relocated traders to the Margaret Umahi International Market Abakaliki. The market alone has employed an appreciable number of Ebonyi people. Businesses of varying degrees have started springing up in the market.
The governor did not stop there, he attracted investors all in a bid to create employment which engaged many Ebonyi people. Ebonyi have Roban Stores already operating with many Ebonyi people in its employ.
Also, the shopping mall is nearing completion and that one alone will employ a lot of people because it is double edged, for investors and white collar workers.
Additionally, as an infrastructure grand master, construction works are going on in many projects across the state thereby employing many Ebonyi people.
Today, there is a tricycle manufacturing centre in Ebonyi State, not only tricycles, many things are produced there, done by skillfully trained Ebonyi people, courtesy of the governor.
Even the good road networks across the state have also created sources of livelihood for the people in terms of operator of automobiles. Politically, about 4,000 Ebony people are gainfully employed as government appointees in the state.
In keeping with his promise to make the state number one economy across the the country, upon assuming office, he established Ebonyi state waste to wealth plant known as recycling plant.
The plant which is being test run at the moment, apart from the revenue that will come from it for the state has the capacity of employing about 300 skilled and unskilled people when completed.
As the state continues to rise in leaps and bounds, Umahi has built and equipped new world class Government House equipped with conference theatre for executive functions, executive chamber for council’s meeting, a Governor’s office, press unit, clinic and helipad.
A rebust achievement has also been recorded by Umahi’s administration in the area of sports. lt started with the reconstruction of Abakaliki Township Stadium now, known as Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium.
The stadium has been modernized and brought to international standard to the surprise of many. The government has also gone a step further to put up a five-star Guest House by the side of the stadium.
Other notable projects executed by the Ebonyi state government under Umahi include the 2.8 solar hybrid power plant at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University in the salt rich Ndufu Alike Ikwo, in lkwo local government Area of the state, which was commissioned by the Vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.
Since he assumed office six years ago, township and rural roads in the state have received adequate attention like; the 23.8 kilometre Hilltop-Agbaja-Nwofe road, the 21.kilometres Amasiri-Amangwu Edda road and the 23-kilometre Amasiri-Okposi- Uburu road,the 20.4- kilometre Ugwuechi- Ebiaji- Onueke road, all was built on 8 inches concrete pavement.
In the Agricultural sector, the state government has introduced several programmes and policies to encourage greater yields, ensure food sufficiency and zero oil dependency.
These include programmes like one-man, one-man hectare, Home-grown school feeding, the Anchor borrowers.To enhance yields and revenue to the state government, he has revived and expanded the Ebonyi state fertiliser and Chemical Company to boost food sufficiency.
The fertiliser blending company is the toast of farmers in the South-East as over thousands of metric tons of fertilisers are given to farmers annually at reduced amount along with improved seedings and other incentives.
