The former Secretary to Ebonyi state government, Prof. Benard Odoh, Thursday, declared interest in the governorship race of the state, under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Odoh, who served with Governor David Umahi during his first term in office, promised to rectify water issues in the state.
Prof. Odoh made his intentions known during a press briefing in Abakaliki.
Addressing journalists, Odoh outlined the problems facing the state and promised to profer solutions.
He said: “Ebonyi people must be given hope for a better future and better prospects for themselves and their families.
“And that is exactly what I am presenting to us – I represent that positive alternative; a generational forward-match that will take us, as a people, into the immense developmental opportunities of the 21st century.
“The primary purpose of this media interaction, ladies and gentlemen, is to publicly announce to the long suffering Ebonyi people that an alternative, a credible and competent alternative, to the current way of doing things will now be provided under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
“In the course of the coming 10 to 11 months, we will demonstrate that Ebonyi people are yearning for a humane, protective and caring leadership genuinely anchored on extant human conscience, the fear and guidance of God Almighty. We will unleash a degree of political energy and momentum, driven by the young men and women of Ebonyi State that will set a landmark on our political landscape and history as a people.
“This moment calls for decisive leadership and unwavering dedication to the real aspirations and yearning of the citizens.
“The Nigerian space has been turned crimson with the blood of innocent citizens, as insecurity has remained at the top of the many challenges that confront us as a country. Kidnapping, banditry and various acts of terror have become woven into the fabric of our daily lives. Here at home, virtually every community in Ebonyi State is grappling with one degree of violent crisis or another. What used to be the safest and most tranquil state in the country is now one of the most troubled and insecure.
“I will be the first to readily admit that it is always too easy to point out the problems of maladministration. The challenge of proffering realistic, enumerated, costed, effective and precisely targeted solutions to the identified problems is the proper crux of the matter. Anyone can point out problems but only few can articulate and apply solutions.
“Solving the security challenges we face here at home, with a committed and advanced partnership with our existing conventional security apparatus in the State, will be our absolute priority. The less I say now the better because we already have a comprehensively articulated blueprint of action in this regard.
“To the leaders and followers of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), our strongly held view is that we will not shun them or cast them out into the wilderness. Any Igbo man or woman who pretends that the grievances of IPOB adherents are irrelevant or that Ebonyi is an isolated island unconcerned about those central issues is what Igbo people call efulefu or ohu. An avenue of dialogue must not just be created but remain open, genuine and altruistic until the case is solved and closed.
“The express route to dealing with poverty and unemployment is heart and soul commitment to a small-scale and medium-scale mass industrialisation, ranging from scaled agricultural value-chain, complex manufacturing, converting raw natural resources to finished products (exploiting, for example, our abundance of sharp sand along the Afikpo-Ikwo-Izzi Cross River belt to set up glass manufacturing industries) to the revival of our existing but abandoned industries in the poultry, cement and pvc sectors.
“Ebonyi State civil service has been on a lockdown for the past seven years. Hardworking staff have been denied their due promotions and privileges that accrue to their services. Pensioners and retirees who poured their energy and sweat to the service of our dear State are owed their benefits, and made to undergo worst of huddles to access what is rightfully theirs. This is totally unacceptable.”
He added: “Under my stewardship as your governor, regular and full payment of pensions and gratuities; regular payment of predictable-figure salaries, leave allowances and other entitlements such as monetised regular promotions and training allowances will be restored to the civil servants without negotiations or intimidation.
“The empty structures that harbour wild birds and reptiles that are spread across our local government areas in the name of rural general hospitals will be fully equipped and operational through a well-structured PPP programme.
“Our women will be empowered. They will cease to be mere spectators in the polity but, equal participants in the course of governance and in every decision making intended to move Ebonyi forward.
“Water will run in Abakaliki within 3 months – for the first time since March 2015.”