Ebonyi Govt. lifts waiver on employment of 35 talented artistes

... Approves key projects in Arts, Agriculture, Health, and Infrastructure

The Ebonyi State Government has lifted the waiver for the employment of thirty-five talented guest artists into the State Council for Arts and Culture to replace retired artistes. The approval was part of the far-reaching decisions taken during the State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting held at the New Government House, Centenary City, Abakaliki, and announced by the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Ikeuwa Omebeh during briefing on Wednesday. According to Omebeh, the newly approved artistes comprised dancers, dramatists, choral singers, and instrumentalists who will be young, talented, and vibrant men and women who will bridge the existing gap in the State Cultural Troupe and sustain the Council’s entertainment responsibilities. In a bid to strengthen economic partnerships, the Information commissioner noted that EXCO approved the temporal allocation of part of the Ezzamgbo Veterinary School to Chinese firm Allallinfo Group AD for the establishment of cotton farms and other agro-industries. The move which according to him, is in line with the Federal Government’s plan to recognize Ebonyi as a cotton-producing state, thereby opening the state to greater federal funding and interventions. He noted that the state also engaged TIARAS White Consult Limited to review, reconcile, and recover funds due to Ebonyi State from the Federation’s NLNG dividends and unremitted oil revenues dating back to January 1999. The consultancy firm will receive a 15% commission, revised upward from the earlier 10%, from the total recoveries made. In the health sector, he said that the EXCO approved the construction of an ultra-modern clinic within the Ebonyi State Government House premises at the cost of ₦3,512,428,765.33. The state-of-the-art facility is envisioned to serve as both an emergency response center for government officials and a model medical facility showcasing modern practices and technologies. Speaking on sports development, Omebeh acknowledged that Governor Francis Nwifuru’s administration presented a proposal for the construction of the Pool Service Building and Swimming Pool at the Ebonyi State Olympic Sports Center . In another major approval,he highlighted that EXCO earmarked ₦432,822,300.00 for the extension of potable water supply to Abakaliki metropolis. The expansion which according to him will cover Ochudo Centenary City, the Ebonyi State House of Assembly Complex, Odunukwe Street, Aguogboriga Layout, and Mile 50,Ugwuachara Layout. Speaking further on the developments, Commissioner Omebeh reiterated that these decisions reflect the government’s determination to boost culture, agriculture, health, sports, and infrastructure while positioning Ebonyi State for greater federal and international recognition.