PRESS BRIEFING ON THE OUTCOME OF THE EBONYI STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY JULY 1, 2024
The Executive Council meeting was as usual presided over by Chairman of Council and Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, FNIOB, FCAI, GGCEHF.
Business of the day
1. INFORMATION AND STATE ORIENTATION
Following exhaustive deliberations on the overlapping needs for adequate publicity and sensitization of Ebonyi people on State government programmes, policies and achievements and other related matters, Council resolved that ALL Information Officers and Public Relation Officers should henceforth take full charge of their responsibilities as mouthpiece and image-makers of their respective MDAs. They are to ensure that government achievements receive widest publicity as and when due.
2. TERTIARY EDUCATION
a. Scholarship
Following Council’s approval of the list of 597 successful candidates to study in Nigerian universities for MSc and PhD, as submitted by the State Scholarship Board, over Two Billion Naira was approved by EXCO. This amount covers school fees, research funding and living expenses of the scholarship beneficiaries. Council further resolved as follows:
i. That the research funds be paid to the universities alongside the school fees to avoid mismanagement by beneficiaries.
ii. That civil servants who sail through the eligibility processes of the scholarship programme are to be granted study leave with pay in addition to other privileges.
b. New Universities
In other to ensure smooth take off of academic activities in the University of ICT, Oferekpe, Agbaja and Aeronautic Engineering University, Ezza, Council approved eight faculty and hostel buildings.
Recall that EXCO had earlier approved the construction of the above-mentioned buildings and further approved the award of contracts and release of funds to successful bidders for immediate commencement of the project.
3. POWER AND ENERGY
FIRE TRUCKS.
Following recent fire outbreaks in the State and in Government's determination to combat future occurrence, EXCO approved the purchase of two (2) nos fire trucks.
4. HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
a. TRADE CENTRE
Following the presentation of a redesigned structure of the uncompleted Ebonyi Trade Centre at Presco Junction, Abakaliki, to EXCO, council deliberated and approved the completion of same.
The structure on completion will accommodate the Ebonyi Trade Centre and Ebonyi Hotels.
Council further resolved to recover all lands belonging to the Trade Centre and directed the Commissioner for Lands to commence process of recovering and securing the land with perimeter fence.
b. SMART CITY
EXCO approved a design of a new Estate at the city centre to be known as NNODO-EKUMENYI PALM BOULEVARD. The Estate will be adorned with facilities such as; civic centres, recreational facilities, banks, shopping malls and other business havens. This is partly in fulfillment of His Excellency's People’s Charter of Needs manifestos to build Smart Cities across the State to enhance the aesthetic standard of the major cities in the state.
5. LANDS AND SURVEY
Following Government's decision to use part of the Trade Centre to accommodate the State-owned Hotels (Ebonyi Hotels), Council approved the sale of the yet-to-be-completed Rice City Hotel, and directed the Commissioner for Lands & Survey to furnish the Council of Public Procurement with the actual size of the land to enable it to evaluate and advertise the property for acquisition by investors.
6. INFRASTRUCTURE
Briefing EXCO on the progress of work on the 2km road in communities across the state, Council directed Commissioners for Infrastructure and that of Finance to ensure that contractors who are yet to receive their payment receive same without further delay.
Also, Council approved release of fund for the construction of about 1km road leading to Ebonyi Waste Pulverization Plant, Enyim, Unwuoghara, and directed Commissioner for Transport and Special Projects to ensure speedy completion.
7. HEALTH
To further deepen the gains of total resuscitation of the healthcare facilities across the State, Council approved the renovation of Doctors’ Quarters in some General Hospitals.
Engr. Jude Chikadibia Okpor,
Hon Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Ebonyi State.
