Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi, has declared that he will pursue with vigour the recovery of all stolen funds under the administration of former Governor Martin Elechi. The governor also stated that failure of all culpable hands to refund the stolen monies, would make him personally write to the Economic and financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) to appropriate steps against suspected looters , saying that such funds was part of debts inherited by his administration, which he puts at N52billion. Umahi revealed this at the weekend at a parley with media Executives, held at the Akanu-Ibiam Memorial Conference Centre, in Abakaliki, during the breakdown of his third months administration’s stewardship to the people of state.
He stated that he would soon make public, the appointment of the Caretaker Committees to run the affairs of the 13 local government areas of the state and 64 development centres in the state, to pave way for smooth conduct of the council election. Umahi added that the State House of Assembly, had amended the law on local governments to enable him appoint caretaker committee chairmen; and had assented to the request to expand the management committees, so that representation would be wider.
He explained that stakeholders had been directed to go back and meet in their various constituencies to harmonized their choice for appointments, as management committee members, Development centre Coordinators and ward liaison officers. The governor, who lamented the continued dwindling allocations to the state, regretted that while the revenue occurring to the state was seriously declining, its debt profile was on the increase due to the uncompleted projects he inherited from the past administration.
He, however, noted that the State Ministry of Works had invited contractors handling on- going projects to come for a joint measurement of work done to ascertain the actual value of the state indebtedness to them. Governor Umahi also reiterated his administration’s determination to stamp out corruption from all the sectors in the state, urging all former political office holders indicted by the State House of Assembly, to quickly return to government all stolen funds in their custody.
Stressing that his administration would not leave no stone unturned in its fight against corruption in the state, he frowned at the rot in the education sector in the state. He regretted the dilapidated state of schools in the state, saying that a study conducted by a consultant hired by the government had shown that pupils still sit on the floor to learn in some schools. He added that in some other schools, classes still hold in dilapidated class room blocks and under the trees.
