By Chijioke Agwu
Abakaliki
Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has said that he would go for a second tenure as governor of the state come 2019.
Umahi made the disclosure in Abakaliki at the weekend while addressing the people of Izzi Land during the 2016 Ojiji Izzi new yam festival.
Umahi, who said that his administration was committed to the construction of vital road networks across the Izzi Land and state, noted that efforts were on by his government to obtain a loan from the African Development Bank to finance the construction of the 199 kilometers of the ring roads in the state.
“Let me give you good news. Yesterday, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved our request to borrow the sum of $70 million from African Development Bank to construct 199 kilometer of the ring roads.
“In our first tenure, because we must do second tenure, the ring roads must be commenced and completed. In our second tenure, we will put streetlight in all the ring roads. ”
Governor Umahi, who described the Izzi Ojiji new yam festival as a unique, beautiful and sustainable cultural heritage reinterated the determination of his administration towards a total overhaul of the state.
He said, “Your culture is very very unique, very different, very beautiful and very sustainable. I am deeply committed to development of every part of Izzi land and Ebonyi State in general. You can see a sincere commitment of our government towards the development of your three local government areas.
“The Abakaliki capital city is very dear to our heart. We want to uplift it to be one of the best in this country. We want to build it so that we can be proud within and outside the state to say this is a capital city of our desire.
“So that our founding fathers, our brothers, our sons that fought for the creation of the state, and of course, the elders council who fought for the sustainability of our dear state, Ebonyi, will be happy both in grave and in life.
“So, I want to assure you, very soon the remaining areas in Abakaliki capital city will not only receive streetlights but will be completely be asphalted and water will also be there.
“You are aware that we just launched the Ebonyi State water which we did in Abakaliki Local Government Area. Our desire is that majority party of Abakaliki and all the Izzi land and beyond will be connected with water soon.
Let me give you an expo to tell you how I feel about you. The best road we are building in Ebonyi today that is Hiltop-Nwofe road is within the Izzi land. It is the most expensive road of this our administration. When we finish, for fifty years you will not maintain that road.”
Umahi thanked the people of Izzi land for their support to his administration, noting that without their support and goodwill his government would not have been able to make the impact it has made within the period under review.
According to him, “Let me tell you that without the support of Mr. Speaker, and all the sons and daughters of Izzi land we will not be able to achieve what we have achieved.”
He solicited for their continuous support and co-operation.