Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has approved the payment of severance allowances to all past chairmen, vice chairmen and councillors from 2015.
The Governor disclosed this on Monday while performing the opening ceremony of a two-week training workshop for the present and immediate past chairmen, vice chairmen, councillors and others at the Christian Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki.
The training workshop on Agriculture was organized by the State government and facilitated by the International Skills Acquisition Centre (ISAC), CSS Farm Ltd, Abuja.
The training sessions are billed to kick off in Abuja, Saturday.
Speaking, the Governor urged participants to take the training seriously in order to get the full benefit for their personal gains and that of the state in general.
Maintaining that politics is not a vocation, Governor Umahi stressed that one businessman built up in the state was worth more than 100 politicians.
“Have a revolution of the mind and take the training seriously.
“Politics is not a vocation. I want vocation no longer as second, but first address.
“When you go, you come back to fertilize the state. Let it be our own pilgrimage.
“I am one person that does not believe in empty training without tangible results.
“And when you come back, we have designed a programme for you starting from the hatchery.”
The Governor further stated that the State government would be sending another batch of trainees next month and would be sending more Ebonyi people every month for agricultural capacity building.
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While stressing his dream to leave all those who served with him with sustainable occupations and vocations after office, Umahi announced payment of severance allowances to the past leaders.
“My EXCO members will also go there because I am also planning an exit package for them.
“I don’t want to see anybody that worked with me from 2015 to still be looking for what to eat after my exit.
“I have directed that all the severance allowances of past councillors, chairmen and vice chairmen should be processed, and before the end of this month, they will be paid, from 2015,” he said.
In an opening remark, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and Rural Development, Chief Donatus Njoku appreciated the Governor for equipping Ebonyians with skills for sustainable economic development through these training and capacity building.
Prof John Kennedy Okpara, the Coordinator and lead facilitator for the training expressed satisfaction with Governor Umahi’s infrastructural and human capital development in the State, describing them as both outstanding and classy.
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