By Ewa Innocent, The Sight News
ABAKALIKI-President Muhammadu Buhari, has extolled the quality leadership of Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state, for keying into the economic diversification policy of the federal government.
The president, spoke through his representative, the Minister of State for Steel and Mineral Development, Alhaji Abubakar Bwari, in Abakaliki, during the ground breaking ceremony of the construction of Lead, Zinc, and Copper factory at Uburu, Ohaozara local government area of the state.
He commended Governor Umahi, for his strong stride in solid minerals development and agriculture,stating that the two sectors are the alternatives that could drive the diversification policy of the federal government from oil.
President Buhari described Governor Umahi as a rare leader that places people’s interest far above self,and urged the people to support him.
His words, “Any time Governor Umahi meets with us he doesn’t talk politics. All he talks is my people, my people. These projects are capable of saving the lives of our youths who die on their way to Libya, by giving them job”.
Responding, Governor Umahi,explained that the state has got large quantities of mineral deposits spread across the 13 LGAs of the state,but regretted, that the problem confronting the state was the activities of illegal miners who cart away those minerals without paying haulage or revenue to the state government.
He called on the federal government to assist the state in that regard.
In a remark, the team leader of Tongyi Group, a multinational Chinese firm handling the contract, Mrs Aisha Jiang who gave overview of the company’s activities,especially in the field of exploration and constructions, mentioned huge financial investment benefits Ebonyi stood to get, upon completion of the factory.
She, said her company is fully committed to making Ebonyi State an industrial hub of Nigeria.
The minister for steel and development, Alhaji Abubakar Bwari was accompanied on the visit by the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, who also was on a state visit to inaugurate Ebonyi fertilizer blending plant.
