Monica, Erstwhile Media Aide to Gov Umahi Refutes Claims that Ebonyi Collected FG Funds for Ranching
ABAKILIKI/Nigeria: Lady Monica Chidinma Ada Eze erstwhile Technical Assistant on Media to His Excellency Dr. David Nweze Umahi, the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State has described as fictitious, the news in circulation, credited to some faceless individuals alleging that the State Government collected N6 billion from Federal Government for the execution of ranching project in the state.
In a statement made available to media houses in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi state Capital, Lady Monica said the unsubstantiated report is but the handiwork of propagators of falsehood, whose stock in trade is to pull down others for no just cause.
“Those alleging that Ebonyi State is among the States that have collected the sum of six Billion Naira to execute Ranching project in the State are rumor mongers; those who are doing everything humanly possible to tarnish the public image and reputation of the Governor which he has built over the years”.
Lady Monica Eze who is also the President and Founder of DUNAETA, an NGO formulated to aid the development and enhancement of democracy in Ebonyi State described Governor Umahi as a principled leader whose opinion on any matter of public concern reflects the position of his people and thus, will not go contrary to the collective decision and stand of the South East Governors Forum, and the entire South/Easterners on open grazing.
Recall the South/East Governors Forum, under Gov. Umahi, had made public and severally emphasized that Open Grazing is a no-no for the region, given the danger the nomadic system poses on the peace and security of the Nigerian nation.
Monica, Aka Ada Ebonyi further highlighted that Ebonyi State is among the States that have enacted laws abolishing Open Grazing of cows and therefore wondered how possible it is for the State to turn around and collect funds for ranching. “People should disregard such falsehood notwithstanding the reputation of source” Monica said.
She aligned with the position of the Ebonyi State Government to the effect that the state has no land for such project, noting that the little available land is reserved for farming, other agricultural and development purposes for the growth and development of the state.
Monica said the administration of Gov. Umahi is very much preoccupied with concerns of development and should be allowed to concentrate on the drive to liberate the state and her people from the shackles of poverty and stunted growth.
She commended the Governor and his team and urged the public to continue to support the state government in the ongoing efforts to build a multi-sectoral economically viable state that offers a future for the Nigerian people in all spheres and cadres.
