The Ebonyi State Government has approved over N5bn for social development projects in rural communities in the state and empowerment of petty traders in the state.
The government also approved N450millon as consultancy services and designing of a Boulevard in the state.
The Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Jude Okpor , disclosed this to newsmen in Abakaliki on the outcome of Wednesday’s State Executive Council meeting.
He noted that the council also approved the revamping of moribund rice-mills in the three senatorial zones of the state and directed the release of the sum of ten million naira each in the three rice mill clusters for the revamping.
Okpor said “Following earlier approval of the design for the Nnodo Ekumenyi Boulevard, the council approved the sum of Four Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N450,000,000) only for both the design and consultancy services.
“In a related development, the sum of N70,000,000 for the redesign of the Trade Centre was also approved for release by the council. This sum also covers consultancy services for the project.
“Sequel to a joint memo by the Honourable Commissioners for Human Capital Development, Commerce and Industry, and Agriculture and Natural Resources, EXCO resolved and approved the following:
“N2,620,000,000 for Ebonyi State Community and Social Development Agency (EBCSDA) to embark on social development projects in 100 communities that are yet to benefit from the Agency’s intervention across the state. The Agency was also mandated to pay the Labour-Intensive workers across the 13 LGAS.
“N500 million naira to Ebonyi State Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (EBSMEDA) for the Empowerment of 10,000 Ebonyians.
“N2.12B approved for Empowerment of farmers through FADAMA and other projects, to boost agricultural production in the state, especially in this farming season.”