EBONYI ASSEMBLY APPROVES OVER N500 MILLION FOR LG ELECTION

REPORTER: COSMAS EGBA

Ebonyi State House of Assembly has approved over five hundred million naira proposed for conduct of the upcoming local government election in the state.

The Speaker of the House, Mr. Moses Odunwa, had during the plenary, read a letter from Governor Francis Nwifuru requesting the approval of N518,260,000.00 (five hundred and eighteen million, two hundred and sixty thousand naira) for conduct of the election scheduled for July this year.

The Speaker explained that the proposal included the payment of clerks, adhoc staff and pre election training.

Contributing to the debate on the request, some of the lawmakers — the Assistant Whip, Chukwu Arinze-Lukas representing Ishelu south state constituency; Mr. Onyebuchi Ogbadu of Ivo state constituency; and Esther Agwu of Ohaukwu North State Constituency, urged their colleagues to support and approve the proposal for immediate commencement of the electoral activities for smooth and successful elections.

Also Abiri Godwin Abiri representing Izzi West Constituency and Chikezie Igu from Ohazara East Constituency, said the election is necessary to produce successors before the expiration of the tenure of the present Local Government chairmen and ward counsellors instead of appointing unelected individuals to the positions.

After various contributions on the matter, the Speaker of the House, Mr
Odunwa, announced the passage of the proposal as it enjoyed the overwhelming support of the lawmakers.

The Speaker therefore charged the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) to ensure conduct of free and fair election to reflect the will of the electorate.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU