Your commendation doesn’t reflect realities in our state, Ebonyi indigenes tell Mbaka

The Association of Ebonyi State Indigenes in Diaspora (AESID) has picked a hole in the recent commendation of the State Governor, Dave Umahi by the founder and Director of Adoration Ministry, Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka.

Speaking last Sunday at his Church annual Thanksgiving, Harvest and Bazaar service attended by Governor Umahi, Father Mbaka has described as remarkable, the performance of Governor Umahi.

But the umbrella body of Ebonyi indigenes in Abuja in a statement signed by its President, Ambassador Paschal Oluchukwu, said the applause coming from Fr Mbaka was misplaced as it fell short of realities on the ground in Ebonyi state.

The group further accused Governor Umahi’s administration of elevating cosmetic governance.

“Apart from our misgivings that such project which Umahi has been parading as though it is a personal gift was executed with yet-to-be-accounted-for public funds, we wish to draw Fr. Mbaka’s attention to the fact that the land the so-named King David Medical School, Uburu is situated formerly belonged to the Presbyterian Church and is yet being contended even in a Court of law. More so is the fact that Umahi, except for his declaration at the Bishop’s inauguration was yet to come up with any concrete plans and terms on how he wants the institution to run and operate.

“As a respected governance and accountability group, Umahi and his government was yet to answer the many nagging posers we, like the rest of reasonable Ebonyians have raised regarding the said building and the proposed handing over of the institution to the mother church.

“Besides, Umahi’s governance style, we may wish to clarify the revered Catholic Priest has been characterized by deceits, man-made hunger and poverty and wanton intimidations cum attacks on opposing voices, no matter how decent. All these, he tries to hide under cover of extravagant donations to churches and the clergy, thinking perhaps, that he can bribe God.

“But AESID asks; how can Umahi think he can bribe God after dealing terribly with the men and women God gave him the opportunity and onerous responsibility to cater for their welfare and wellbeing?

‘What has Umahi donated to the war-ravaged Effium victims, many of who are yet scattered in different parts of the North and Central Senatorial zones in the state with some still sleeping under Ezzamgbo flyover without foods, clothing or shelter following the destruction of their homes by their attackers?

“What has he also donated to the crying and deprived victims of the international Airport project in Ezza north whose homes were demolished and their property forcefully taken away from them without adequate and reasonable compensations?

“What has Umahi also donated to the hundreds of poverty-tossed Ebonyians lining up on the major roads in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt in daily hustles to sell Gala and soft drinks just to put foods on their table?

“What happened to the enumeration for the empowerment of such poor Ebonyians done by his government sometimes at the twilight of his administration? Or is Umahi unaware of the scripture that he who gives to the poor lends to God?

“How about the workers and retirees whose welfares, salaries, pensions, gratuities and emoluments he has completely neglected in pursuit of his greed-driven, so-called development strides? Has Umahi remembered even the hungry casual labourers he sees daily at the Abakaliki township stadium and Vanco junctions near the old Government House?”

While expressing disappointment over the governor’s donation, the statement said: “It is very unreasonable for anyone to think that by merely constructing less impactful flyovers and concrete roads, Umahi is turning Ebonyi into Dubai-a 21st century world-class city that creates massive jobs and opportunities for its people.

“The clergy, Fr. Mbaka, like the rest of reasonable Ebonyians should sincerely be worried that Ebonyi still largely depends on his Enugu-based Aqua Rapha sachet water as the main source of drinkable water when water wastes in various glorified water fountains in strategic parts of the Abakaliki capital city.

“In addition, Fr. Mbaka deserves to be informed that the level of borrowings which the Umahi government has embarked upon has actually placed a heavy debt burden on the future of the young state struggling to catch up with its neighbours in terms of economic growth and per capita income.

“Borrowing to waste and lavish same on flyovers and bogus concrete road and other infrastructural jamboree projects like Umahi is currently doing in Ebonyi only spells serious doom for the future of the state and God’s servants like Mbaka should better be intimated. These and many more are the reasons we strongly believe that Mbaka must really be disconnected from the true position of things regarding the Umahi regime in Ebonyi state.”

YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

Buhari Urges MTN For Quality Service, Downward Price Review In Cost Of Data, Other Services

President Muhammadu Buhari Friday at State House Abuja urged the MTN Group to make the available top-of-the-range service to its Nigerian subscribers…  Your commendation doesn’t reflect realities in our state, Ebonyi indigenes tell Mbaka  Your commendation doesn’t reflect realities in our state, Ebonyi indigenes tell Mbaka  Your commendation doesn’t reflect realities in our state, Ebonyi indigenes tell Mbaka  Your commendation doesn’t reflect realities in our state, Ebonyi indigenes tell Mbaka.