This approval became necessary as it serves as an alternative to the high cost of cooking gas and kerosine faced by the citizenry, especially in the rural areas
By Eze Victor
Governor Francis Nwifuru-led administration has approved 10 million Naira for the purchase and sale of charcoal stoves in Ebonyi State.
The Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Jude Okpor, disclosed this during a press briefing on the outcome of the state executive council meeting on Friday.
Okpor said the approval was made following a memo from the Ministry of Trade and Investment seeking the release of funds from the 2025 Approved Capital Budget for Ebonyi Investment and Property Company Limited for the purchase and sale of Charcoal Stoves.
“The council approved the sum of Ten Million Naira (N10,000,000) only. This approval became necessary as it serves as an alternative to the high cost of cooking gas and kerosine faced by the citizenry, especially in the rural areas, and to as well help in boosting the revenue generation of the state,” he explained.
Okpor noted that in furtherance of the all-inclusive disposition of the present administration, the executive council considered and approved a memo on the need for the establishment of the Ebonyi State Disability Rights Commission Law and other matters.
He said the council also directed the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to ensure the transmission of the executive correspondence on the council’s decision to the Ebonyi State House of Assembly for legislative actions.
Speaking on the works and infrastructure developmental projects going on in the state, the Commissioner said the executive council has equally approved the construction of five new roads.
He said the roads included Ukwuachi-Oshiegbe Road, measuring 5 kilometres, with 6.2 kilometres shoulder of existing concrete pavement in Ezza North LGA, 4-kilometre Umueziokwu, Nwegbu-Ugwu, Odida Onuafia-Amankwo Road, Onicha LGA, and 10,843.88m TTC —Iboko Road, Izzi LGA.
He added that the council had directed the State Council on Public Procurement to advertise the award of the approved roads for immediate action, and also approved the construction of the other two roads including 200 metres Ezi-Akani Ukpa—Ngodo Road leading to Ngwongwo Community stream through Professor Uro-chukwu’s Residence in Ezi Akani Ukpa, Afikpo LGA, and 172m Ogbodudu Street, Kpirikpiri Abakaliki.
He said, all the roads will be constructed in a concrete pavement and to be executed through direct labour as a part of enhancing both urban and rural movement and other developmental projects in the state.