By Abdulrahman Abdullahi
Ebonyi State government has set up a Disciplinary Committee to try, dismiss and prosecute four staff of the Ministry of Power, for allegedly stealing quantities of diesel meant for the powering of streetlights in the state.
Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Barr. Uchenna Orji made the disclosure in Abakaliki, while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting, held at Old Government House Abakaliki.
Barr. Orji, who explained that the names of the suspects would be made known in due course, added that the owner of the house used in perpetrating the crime would be made to pay the sum of N5 million Naira as punitive measure or the house be sealed to serve as deterrent to others.
On communal crisis, Information commissioner said, “Executive Council received a briefing on the situation of Effium/Ezza Effium, Abaomege/Isinkwo, and Enyibichiri/Enyigba communal clashes and frowned at the renewed attack and counterattack between Effium/Ezza Effium community, including the raising of false alarm by stakeholders which, according to him was not the true situation of things in the area.
Orji, said EXCO noted the progress made in the demarcation of the boundary between the two communities and resolved to invite the stakeholders of Effium/Ezza Effium and Abaomege/Isinkwo communities on Monday 29th March, 2021.
On the proposed revalidation of the Certificate of Occupancy, Orji, said, EXCO received a report on the rising spate of fake land documents that fly everywhere in Ebonyi State which on several occasions,would be taken to the bank for facility and it would be turned down.
His words,“EXCO observed with dismay that some people who served as land officials in the past still sign and back-date land documents for unsuspecting members of the public.
“EXCO noted that revalidation of Certificates of Occupancy and Land documents in the state would put a permanent stop to this ugly trend and that this measure would also resolve the issue of two persons laying claim to one land document.
“EXCO resolved therefore that the state government do constitute a committee in April 2021 to handle the processes of land document revalidation”.
Other resolutions taken by the EXCO include; report on leakages of revenues in the state, and collapse of stadium Fence.
On revenue leakages, according to Orji, EXCO resolved that with effect from 24th March, 2021 and in line with the relevant laws of the state, it shall be an offence in Ebonyi State for anybody to make payment in respect of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by cash.
On the collapsed Stadium fence, he said a Committee was set up to verify the cause of the collapse of the new stadium fence, adding that part of the terms of reference to the committee includes, to verify the total work done, total work yet to be done, the length and value of the fence that collapsed and the reason for the collapse.
Orji also disclosed that EXCO made some financial approvals. According to him, they include, “Construction of the first phase of the parking lot of the airport, estimated at N949, 314 million and second phase, N950 Million, while the lift and escalators which is the 3rd phase will cost N643 million.
He further explained that N952 million has been approved for the airport flyover, while N978 million was approved for phase 2, (Ground floor, Foundation and Pillars), of Edda flyover.
