Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu has called on the people of Ebonyi State to continue to support Governor David Umahi in his efforts to develop the state.
Ekweremadu, who paid a Christmas homage to the governor at his Uburu residence in Ohaozara Local Government Area, said such support would make the governor deliver democracy dividends to them.
“It is when you cooperate with him that he will be spurred to do more for you. That democracy dividend he promised you during electioneering will be difficult to meet in an atmosphere of rancour,” he told other visitors who were also on a similar homage.
The deputy Senate President described the victory of Governor Umahi in the last governorship election in the state as an act of God.
He said, “His administration is an instrument ordained by God for the unification of Ebonyi State.”
Senator Ekweremadu assured that he will use his position to galvanize local and international support for the Govenor Umahi- led administration to enable it accelerate the development of the state.
He expressed confidence that the ongoing efforts by Umahi to transform the markets in the state into modern markets would attract both local and international investors to the state.
Addressing the visitors, Governor Umahi thanked them for coming to share the joy of Christmas with him.
The governor used the occasion of his audience with the members of the state Executive Council to announce the suspension of the collection of Internally Generated Revenue for the month of January, 2016.
According him, “Collection of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) should be suspended for the month of January for government to come up with civilized method of revenue drive in the state.”
The governor similarly announced the lifting of the suspension on the Special Assistant to the Governor on Talent Development and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Jacinta Nworie.
He said: “The first thing to give you this Christmas is to lift the suspension order on one of you.”
Umahi thanked the council members for their commitment to duty and urged them to be peace makers and bridge builders.
Those who visited the governor included members of the state Executive Council, the stakeholders of Ikwo Local Government Area led by the state Deputy Governor, Dr. Eric Kelechi Igwe; the board and management of the state College of Education, led by its chairman, Engr. Fidelis Nwankwo.
Others were the Governing Council of the state University, Abakaliki led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Francis Idike; the Rector of Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Afikpo, Venerable Ogbonnaya Ibe- Enwo; Ohaukwu Local Government Stakeholders; the state Traditional Rulers’ Council led by His Royal Highness, Charles Mkpuma; and members of the State Fiscal Responsibility Commission.
-Vanguard