Nkechinyere Ewa-Okpara
The Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has announced that his administration is implementing a strategic programme to repatriate indigenes of the state who are engaged in menial jobs outside Ebonyi and empower them for self-reliance.
Governor Nwifuru made the disclosure during a Church service at the Government House Chapel, Abakaliki, on Sunday.
“We will bring back our people who are doing menial jobs in other cities and empower them. They are not even being appreciated by the people they are working for. They are exploited without fair remuneration,” the Governor said.
He revealed that the State Government is currently constructing warehouses and skills acquisition centres within the Ebonyi Industrial City as part of efforts to create meaningful employment and equip the youth with practical skills.
On governance, the Governor expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of some of his appointees, citing their failure to meet expectations outlined in his administration’s People’s Charter of Needs.
“We are worried that the vision statement contained in our People’s Charter of Needs has not been satisfactorily realized. This accounted for the recent minor cabinet reshuffle. However, we are still assessing their performance and will take further steps if necessary,” he warned.
Governor Nwifuru reiterated his commitment to holding all appointees accountable and did not rule out further changes in leadership if underperformance persists after the current grace period.
Addressing allegations of financial misconduct involving the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), the Governor maintained a stance of due process and presumption of innocence.
“I received the news of a publication already before the Federal High Court in Uyo concerning the SSG. She is presumed innocent until investigations prove otherwise. As a lawyer, I understand the importance of establishing facts before taking action to avoid setting dangerous precedents,” he noted.
Governor Nwifuru also used the occasion to appeal to leaders of the state to ignore social media criticisms and return home to invest in Ebonyi, assuring them of a safe and enabling environment for business and development.