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Tag: Gov. David Umahi

  • State loans: NEC to engage CBN, finance minister on recovery

    State loans: NEC to engage CBN, finance minister on recovery

    The National Economic Council (NEC) says it will engage the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) and the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning on recovery of CBN loans to states.

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi State briefed State House correspondents after a virtual NEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Umahi said NEC meeting also featured memorandum for consideration and endorsement of the reviewed National Social Protection Policy ( NSPP) by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed.

    “Council was invited to note the revised NSPP that replaces the 2017-2022 NSPP, which was reviewed in consultation with all states and other stakeholders.

    “It is subject to review every five years for updates and accommodation of some of the emerging issues, which include pandemics, insecurity, and responsive social protection.

    “The expected benefits of the revised NSPP include reduction of multi-dimensional poverty; promotion of social justice and equity and inclusive growth, reduction of unemployment, social and economic vulnerabilities and other threats to sustainable development.’’

    He said that the council endorsed the presentation and the prayer of the minister.

    Umahi said the revised NSPP would be transmitted to the Federal Executive Council for its own endorsement after which it would go to the National Assembly.

    The governor said that NEC approved a review of the plan for immediate deduction of funds from state by the CBN.

    “The governors are saying with the constant reduction in FAAC allocation to states, it would be very suicidal if the CBN goes ahead to carry out their proposed recovery of state loans.

    “ The governors and NEC applauded the president, the vice president, Minister of Finance and the CBN governor for their efforts and commitment to states while noting that a lot of funds that were hidden from the states before the present administration have also been graciously given to states by the president and his team.

    “ That has helped the states very much, so while commending them, NEC agreed to engage the CBN governor with the Minister of Finance and the governors forum and the NEC committee.

    “ So, it was agreed that these deductions would have to be reviewed to seek other ways; that if it goes ahead, the states would suffocate and that would not be good for the nation; NEC agreed to set up a committee to engage the CBN governor and the finance minister.’’

    On flooding, Umahi said the menace was extensively discussed and NEC offered condolences to those who had lost their lives and sympathy to the families and to the suffering Nigerians.

    According to him, the flooding is due to climate change as the council will work towards forestalling future occurrence.

    “NEC is commending the president, having met with some governors with regard to this flooding issue.

    “ So, NEC agreed to set up a committee to look at the immediate solutions and interventions over the flooding and to see how we take care of those who were affected and states too.

    “And also to proffer long-term solutions in line with what the Minister of Water Resources is doing together with the action plan of the president in this regard,’’ he said.

  • Gov. Umahi tasks incoming LG officials on good governance, revenue generation

    Gov. Umahi tasks incoming LG officials on good governance, revenue generation

    Gov.  David Umahi of Ebonyi has tasked elected officials of Local Government Councils to explore and find a way to generate more revenue to enable them deliver on the mandate of the people.

    Umahi gave the charge, on Thursday in Abakaliki while declaring open a seven- day capacity building workshop for the newly elected council Chairmen, vice Chairmen, ward councillors and Development Centres Coordinators in the state.

    Represented by the Deputy Governor Kelechi Igwe, Umahi advised them to face leadership with  business-minded approach to be able to make right investments.

    “Any government that is not profit oriented, cannot deliver on the mandate of the people,” Umahi said.

    ”You must always make right decisions that would change the fortunes of the society.

    “You must not abdicate your responsibilities as a leader. Learn how to make right decisions and know that the reason for your appointment is to become a problem- solver,” he said.

    The governor stressed on the need for leaders in the 21st century to wear the garment of authority to influence the behaviour and conducts of their subjects to achieve results.

    Also speaking, Mr Donatus Njoku, the state Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and Rural Development said that the workshop was aimed at preparing the participants to succeed in the tasks ahead of them.

    He noted that resource persons were rightly selected to put the participants through.

    Also, Mr Sunday Agbo, a Participant and Coordinator of Effium Development Centre Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state, said that the training was apt.

    Agbo said the essence of the enlightenment was to instil discipline, cultivate attitude of integrity in areas of their duties.

    “The training will expose public office holders at the grassroots to always uphold ethics of public practice,” Agbo said.

    Another Participant, Mr Charles Ani, Councilor representing Abakaliki Urban Ward, said that the training would enable them to carryout their duties effectively as expected of a leader.

    Newsmen reports that the capacity building featured training on integrity, transparency, ethics, and code of conduct.

  • Sustain synergy for economic enhancement – Yemi Osinbajo

    Sustain synergy for economic enhancement – Yemi Osinbajo

    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday in Abakaliki urged the three tiers of government to sustain the existing synergy between them to enhance national economy.

    He gave the charge while closing the 21st edition of the Joint Planning Board and the National Council on Development Planning meeting which began on April 6.

    The vice-president said that such synergy would assist in surmounting challenges hindering economic enhancement.

    “These challenges include corruption, recovery from the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic effects of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

    “The invasion has led to price and supply shocks in the food and fuel markets and we should collectively brace for its inevitable economic challenges,’’ he said.

    The vice-president commended the National Council on Development Planning for sustaining the meeting, noting that it remained an important platform to set the tone for the nation’s economic recovery.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari strongly believes that national councils such as this play an important role in boosting economic and related cooperation between states.

    “This ensures better coordination of economic policies to ensure poverty reduction and sustainable economic development,’’ he stressed.

    Osinbajo commended the Ebonyi government for ensuring the successful organisation of the event and its infrastructural strides which had enhanced its people’s wellbeing.

    In his remarks, Ebonyi’s Gov. David Umahi thanked the vice-president for the visit and the National Council on Development Planning for choosing Ebonyi to host the meeting.

    “I specifically commend the vice-president for his commitment and loyalty to President Muhammadu Buhari and their doggedness in confronting the nation’s daily challenges.

    “The challenges facing the country are not peculiar but global with the country only having its fair share of such challenges.

    “I believe strongly that with God, patriotism and commitment, the efforts of both leaders would see us through the challenges,’’ Gov. Umahi said.

    The governor advised Nigerians that the call for states and local government councils to control Value Added Tax was an invitation to anarchy as it should be left for the Federal Government to control.

    Also addressing the close of the meeting, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, noted that recommendations from the meeting would enhance development planning.