By Sunday Agbo, Abakaliki
There is panic among Ebonyi State Executive Council members as Ebonyi State Governor, Engineer David says he would Thursday cause a major cabinet reshuffle.
Umahi, who disclosed this during a dinner organised in honour of some Ebonyians who bagged the Democracy Merit Award, said the cabinet reshuffle was to re- position his cabinet for more effective service delivery.
The governor had earlier sacked 13 caretaker council chairmen, 64 development centre coordinators,171 liaison officers and 512 management committee members.
The sack took place during the grand finale of this year’s Democracy Day celebration and two years of his administration held at the Abakaliki Township Stadium.
Umahi, who also dissolved the caretaker chairmen of local government areas swore-in the newly elected 13 chairmen and their vice-chairmen.
He directed the new council chairmen to inaugurate the councillors within 24 hours to ensure effective service delivery at the third tier of government.
development centres are hereby dissolved. Secondly, the local government council is also dissolved. This will pave way for the swearing-in of elected chairmen in matter of hours now and tomorrow (yesterday), activities should be at their highest in Ebonyi State and the councillors must be sworn-in tomorrow (Tuesday) in their various LGAs.”
The governor also inaugurated 46 senior technical assistants and technical assistants; advisory committee members, board members of Ebonyi State Blending Plant, senior special assistants comprising the immediate past caretaker chairmen and others during the occasion.
While he charged the council chairmen to align themselves properly with the developmental programmes of his administration and replicate same at the grassroots, he said that the political appointees were not appointed for political patronage but to assist government in its effort of repositioning the state.
His words,” The STAs, TAs and special assistants we brought in should know that it is not for political patronage but to fill some gaps in our task of repositioning this state.
“It’s not going to be business as usual. We’re going to divide you into sectors and appoint leadership so that you meet up to challenges upon which you’re appointed.”
The governor disclosed plans by the state to install additional fertilizer blending plant while perfecting plans for two other organic fertilizer plants.”
Umahi, who outlined his achievements, appreciated the people for their solidarity and solicited their continued cooperation for more democracy dividends.
He disclosed the government’s intention to establish a minimum of four cement factories and industrial clusters in the three senatorial zones of the state for meaningful engagement of youths.
“We have so far tackled our water, education, security, the welfare of our people, agriculture and beautification of our capital city among other achievements.
“We’re going to have a minimum of four cement factories in the months ahead and we’re going to focus also on the establishment of factories, including pencil factories and water factories”, he said.
On his part, the Chairman of the occasion and the Senator representing Ebonyi North Senatorial zone, Dr. Sam Egwu, said the people were happy with the achievements of Governor Umahi in the last two years and called for more support to ensure their sustenance.