OBINNA UCHENDU Abakaliki
The Newly redeployed Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Ebonyi State, Barr. Ikeuwa Omebe has disclosed that the redeployment of the commissioners to different ministries was not punitive or unproductivity but was aimed at exposing them to other fields of endeavor.
Governor Nwifuru yesterday announced a minor cabinet reshuffle involving four commissioners with a call for improved performance in line with the administration’s People’s Charter of Needs mantra.
Briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council Meeting held at the Exco Chambers New Government House Abakaliki, Barr. Omebeh said that the Governor also issued a Six month grace period to the Commissioner for Environment, Victor Uzoma-Chukwu, and the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Amari Omaka
He maintained that the State Governor also warned that failure to improve within the period would led to other actions that would be taken by his administration.
Barr. Omebe said that those affected by the reshuffle includes Engr. Jude Chikadibia Okpor who was redeployed from Ministry of Information and State Orientation to Ministry of Rural Development while Barr. Ikeuwa Omebe was redeployed from Ministry of Rural Development to Ministry of Information and State Orientation.
Others includes, Prof. Paul Awo Nwobasi from Ministry of Education (Primary and Secondary) to Ministry of Border Peace and Conflict Resolution while Dr. Donatus Ilang was moved from Border Peace and Conflict Resolution to Ministry of Education (Primary and Secondary).
Governor Nwifuru urged all appointees to reflect on their performance and recommit themselves to the vision and objectives of his administration for the benefit of the people.
Barr. Omebe said that as part of ongoing efforts to industrialize the state, the Executive Council also approved the supply and installation of Independent Captive Power Generation Plants, designed to provide 24-hour metered electricity to selected public and private industries.
The project will commence with a three-megawatt plant at ICT University, Oferekpe, Agbaja. Additionally, the council ratified the constitution of a 15-member Ebonyi State Economic Advisory Committee. The committee will be chaired by Prof. Barth Nnaji, with Dr. Ben Odoh serving as Secretary.
As part of preliminary requirements for the commencement of action on the 2026 budget, Exco received and approved the 2026 – 2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework Work (MTEF).
“The MTEF is a strategic financial planning document that encompasses the Economic and Fiscal Update (EFU), the Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP), and the Budget Policy Statement (BPS) for the state over the next three years.
“Exco approved the participation of Ebonyi State in the E-HEART project of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the subsequent payment of counterpart funding for the project.
“E-HEART is an acronym that stands for Energy for Health, Education, Agriculture, Rural Development, and Transportation.
“The Council received and approved the Ebonyi Business Enabling Reform Action Plan (BERAP) 2024, which indicates the progressive performance of the state in the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) Programme.
“This is intended to meet the World Bank eligibility criteria for implementation of the SABER Programme in 2025.” the statement further noted. Ends.
