Ebonyi State Governor Umahi
Ebonyi approves N1.622bn for airport project, road maintenance
[From CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki]
Ebomyi Government has approved additional sum of N864.8m and N757.5m for an airport project and road maintenance across the state, respectively.
The state has also handed over some critical government facilities to the State Investment and Property Limited to engage the private sector in the management and ownership of such facilities by way of Public Private Partnership (PPP).
The State Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Barrister Uchenna Orji, who disclosed this while briefing Journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council Meeting held on Thursday also said that the Governor had approved certificates of Occupancy for critical facilities in the State.
According to him, the Certificates of Occupancy will be issued through the State Property Investment Limited so that they will have all the latitude to engage the private sector to drive these critical infrastructure.
He announced that the piece land opposite international market park had been put for sale at N15,000 per square metre and urged interested members of the public to available themselves of the opportunity.
Orji said, “road maintenance in line with the determination of the Governor to ensure that Ebonyi continues to make a difference in terms of wonderful road infrastructure, the ministry of works did make a presentation on what they are doing in the area of road maintenance and made a request for approval of fund to ensure that the Ministry continues with road maintenance. So, EXCO considered that request and approved the sum of N757.5m for the purpose of maintenance of all the road within some parts of Ebonyi State that have some issues.
“Further on our efforts to ensure we have a brand new airport in Ebonyi State, EXCO also considered a request for approval of the sum of N864.8m which covers labour, equipment for casting of concrete, iron works, and earthworks. EXCO did consider the request and approved the same sum for that purpose.
“EXCO also looked at public request on the issue of empty lands at the international market park and did deliberated on the amount that would be paid by members of the public who want to buy that space and it was agreed that anybody who wants to buy a piece of land at the park will pay the sum of N15,000 per square metre. And this is applicable to both indigenes and non indigenes.
“Again, in line with policy of government in ensuring that we involve private sector in the development of our economy, report was taken on the need to really give Ebonyi State Investment and Property Limited, the opportunity to take over the management of our economic facilities, and EXCO did approved that certain facilities be handed over to the Company in order to engage the private sector in the management and ownership of such facilities by way of Public Private Partnership (PPP).
“And His Excellency, the Governor, and chairman of Council did issued Certificates of Occupancy in respect of the following facilities: the King David University of Medical Sciences, the national airport, regional market and old Abakpa market. These Certificates of Occupancy were issued to the State Property Investment Limited so that they will have all the latitude to engage the private sector to drive these critical infrastructure.”
The Commissioner added that “these critical infrastructure being developed by the Governor will be given to private investors to drive, because government is not a good manager of business.”
