•Also rejects restructuring of Nigeria
By
Benjamin Nworie, Abakaliki
Contrary
to the widespread agitations for Nigeria to be restructured, Ebonyi State
Governor, David Umahi, Wednesday, strongly opposed the agitation, insisting
that the state was not yet economically viable to seek independence.
The governor also noted that he was neither in
support of the agitation for Biafra nor the call for restructuring because the
two proposals were not going to benefit the state as a people.
Umahi stated this at the Government House,
Abakaliki, while responding to the presentation of a Consultant on Internally
Generated Revenue (IGR), Dr. Mike Abani, during the state executive council
meeting.
He maintained that the state was not yet ripe to
clamour for restructuring or Biafra because the state totally depends on the
federal allocation; investors are not coming into the state and the internally
generated revenue (IGR) is paltry.
According to him, “When the issue of Biafra or
restructuring is discussed, my heart jumps because Ebonyi State is not ripe for
any. Ask yourself, what is it that we are producing? We totally depend on the
federal government for allocation. Investors are not coming into the state and
our IGR is nothing to write home about, because the idea of an investor is,
supposing the allocation that comes from the centre stops, how do I get back my
money”?
The governor however, admitted that the people were
over taxed but regrettably, they are going into private pockets of individuals
including members of his executive council.
But he promised that those involved since 2014
would be compelled to refund the funds in no time soon.
He expressed optimism that the new measures being
put to work would end the problem of IGR leakages in the state and assist his
administration in fighting corruption.
•Text courtesy of THISDAY.
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