The Special Assistant to Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, on Media and Publicity, Francis Nwaze, has said his boss was increasing the revenue base of the state through infrastructure, located in different parts of the state.
Nwaze, who stated this during an interview with journalists, in Abakaliki, on Sunday, stressed that Governor Umahi was looking beyond the ‘now’, to adequately reposition the state for future competitiveness in various aspects of the Nigerian economy.
According to him, “Umahi is planning for the future of Ebonyi State. He expects that as soon as all his infrastructural arrangements are on ground, the revenue generation capacity of the state will increase.
“There’s something so unique about the King David University of Medical Sciences. The University is going to be the first University in Africa that will be producing dialyzers. By the grace of God, Ebonyi State will have a patent in the arrangement. That means that any person or state or country that wants to go into the production of dialyzers will come to Ebonyi State and make payment to be able to get the dialyzer.
“That place is a world-class University. It is unique on its own. It has the University building, laboratories, theatres and so many characteristics of a world-class institution. There are staff quarters and accommodation for students of all levels. The security of the place is guaranteed. They are working on having a-24 hour power supply. It’s a complete package of a world-class university.
“We have about 17 twin flyovers located strategically in different parts of the state including rural areas. There’s a flyover that the Governor said since some people say there is nothing special about Ebonyi, he was going to put ‘construction confusion’ in the state. The idea is that if you want to enter the Ebonyi State Shopping Mall and the Ecumenical Centre for the first time, you must ask questions that will lead you through the flyover to the desired location. You cannot find that kind of flyover anywhere in the country. You will not see that kind of flyover anywhere in the country.
“It is unique and smart. It makes Ebonyi a smart city. The Iyere flyover in Afikpo South Local Government Area is another construction aesthetics. When completed, it will be saving about 50 lives per annum because of the unfortunate incident that usually occur there before the emergence of the flyover. People usually die there because of the sharpness of the bend.
“As I speak to you, Umahi has commissioned about 500 different roads that have been constructed including rural roads. There is no local government area in Ebonyi that does not have a minimum of 20km road already constructed. That’s why in Ebonyi, it is easier to connect to other LGAs within 45 minutes.
“Currently, many people have said that how you know you have entered Ebonyi State is when your vehicle stop entering gallops and potholes on the road. Ebonyi State has moved from the dust of the nation to the true ‘Salt of the Nation’.
“The Ring Road project is one of the best projects that are ongoing in the state and it is made up of 199 kilometres. It wasn’t easy but because of who Umahi is, it was possible. He was able to secure approval for the loan from the Federal Government and the sponsoring banks. When these roads are completed, it is going to connect 8 LGAs in the state.
“At the completion of the Ring Road project, Ebonyi will become a different city entirely because the road connectivity will be superlative. The state is moving speedily. These were a people who were long left behind. The state is now the leading light across the country.”
Copyright PUNCH.
