Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has empowered over 250 indigenes of his community with start-up capital for economic ventures.
The empowerment was part of events marking the Uburu Day celebration held on Wednesday in the Governor’s home.
Beneficiaries got cash grants ranging from N500,000 to N10 million.
Addressing beneficiaries, the Governor charged them to put the money into meaningful use or risk paying it back to government as loan.
Umahi emphasised that those who utilise theirs well would be given more by March when he would be embarking on verification tour of their enterprises.
He said: “We have 200 persons taken from the 14 villages in our communities to be given N500,000 each.
“There are 18 persons already empowered with N2 million, and 18 others with N5 million.
“I am not talking of others we have empowered other years, and the countless number we have empowered with job contracts.
“I will be embarking on inspection tour of what you do with the money by March.
“If you do not utilise yours well, we will convert it to loan for you to pay back, but if we are satisfied with your venture, we will give you more.”
The Governor prayed for beneficiaries, saying: “From my heart I have given to you.
“God will prosper the works that you do with it.”
In a welcome address, the traditional ruler of Uburu autonomous community, Eze Laz Umahi, said the Governor apart from overwhelming physical infrastructures, also shows greater concern to the physical, social, economic and psychological wellbeing of the people.
The traditional ruler appreciated all the guests for honouring their invitation, and strengthened the people’s unanimous endorsement of Governor Umahi for Ebonyi South Senatorial District seat.
He expressed optimism that Umahi will not only become senator, but the Senate president after the 2023 general elections.
Earlier, the Governor commissioned a market stall he reconstructed at a popular market in the area previously destroyed by windstorm.
He also commissioned an ancestral town hall he built for his people and laid the foundation stone for a market to be called Uburu Adu Modern Market.
Commissioning the open market stall, Governor Umahi said: “There shall be an executive order ceding the market to the local government.
“The local government should legislate to establish a board for it with the chairman as the traditional ruler of Uburu autonomous community, and the Secretary as next in seniority.”
The Governor at the event distributed food items, clothings and cash worth over N100 million to his community members as Christmas and New Year gifts.
Umahi before the new year party received the people of Onicha Local Government Area led by the chairman, Hon. Chidiebere Uzor, on a Christmas and New Year homage.
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