Chief Edward Nkwegu, the Chairman, Expanded Public Works Programme in Ebonyi, has said that at least 13,000 volunteers participated in the Federal Government-sponsored Special Works Pprogramme in the state.
Nkwegu made the disclosure on Tuesday in an interview with newsmen in Abakaliki.
He said that five participants were drawn from each of the 1785 polling units.
According to him, the number represents about 70 per cent of the beneficiaries, while 30 per cent was distributed among the political office holders.
“The 30 per cent was distributed among the governor, minister, senators and other high profile political office holders.
“In Ebonyi, the scheme was structured in such a way that only the downtrodden were beneficiaries.
“It is a very big success story in our state. In fact, it is our formula that has been used in other states.
“More than 90 per cent of the beneficiaries had received their stipends of N66,000 spread for a period of three months.
“Most of the beneficiaries have received their stipends except those who have issues with their Bank Verification Number (BVN).
“There are those who used different names in opening bank accounts and another name for registering the BVN.
“So, these are the few that are still having issues with their banks and as soon as they rectify the problem, they will receive their credit alert,” Nkwegu said.
He said that the Federal Government had indicated its readiness to continue with the programme.
He said that the fresh edition would start as soon as fund was made available.
Nkwegu also spoke on the clamour for the governorship slot to be zoned to Ebonyi North Senatorial District.
READ ALSO:https://brandeconomy.com.ng/capitalisation-gains-n19-13bn-as-trading-resumes-on-nigerian-bourse/
He pointed out that zoning was designed to accommodate various interests and reduce political tension.
He said that the system had helped to shape the political structure and sociology of the state, since the inception of the current Republic in 1999.
He said: “Recall that the first executive governor of the state, Sen. Sam Egwu, hail from Ebonyi North, Chief Martin Elechi, who succeeded him in 2007, is from Ebonyi Central.
“Gov. Dave Umahi from Ebonyi South took over from Elechi in 2015 and by 2023 he will complete his two tenures.
“Zoning has helped the state to navigate through some of the political tensions associated with transiting from one government to another.
“Many people appreciate that this formula is what has been working for the state.
“So, for me, I think that we should work with that since it has favoured the state.
“It first began in 1999 with Ebonyi North and since it has gone round, courtesy demands that the second round should start from Ebonyi North, where it started.
NAN reports that Nkwegu, who is an industrialist, contested for Ebonyi governorship position in 2015 on the platform of the Labour Party.
He has also indicated his interest to run for governor in 2023 under the banner of the All Progressives Congress.
(NAN)
