Enugu To Spend N623m On Projects, Workers’ Salaries

The Enugu State government is to spend over N623 million for the execution of various developmental progrmmes and payment of salary to certain categories of workers in the state.

The State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chuks Ugwoke who disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the end of the State Executive Council meeting in Enugu said approval to spend the sum was given at the meeting chaired by the State Governor, Mr. Sullivan I. Chime.

According to him, a breakdown of the amount shows that over N37 million would  be spent for the payment of salaries of the newly recruited staff and those absorbed into the state service  from the date of their appointment/reinstatement till date, while over N467million is for the establishment of pineapple industry in the state.

The project, he said,  will include procurement and installation of irrigation facilities and fractional cost of cultivation of the first 500 out of the 1000  hectares of the Enugu San Carlos Pineapple project, to be located within the three local governments areas of Awgu, Oji River and Udi.

The Commissioner also stated that out of the amount, the sum of over N68 million was approved for the construction of office spaces for the Commissioners and Staff of the Judicial Service Commissioner, provide more court rooms, furnishing and construction of a multi-purpose hall for judiciary workers.

He said that over  N49m  was also approved by the council to cover training and part of operating costs for the State Rural Access and Mobility Projects (RAMP II) for this year.

Ugwoke further stated that  the project which is jointly sponsored by the World Bank, French Development Agency in collaboration with the Federal and Enugu State Governments is currently embarking on the reconstruction of 500 kilometers of the Umabi – Agbudu – Ihe – Awgu road as pilot road in the state

The Commissioner said that the council also approved the payment of N1,000.00 for the 2013 State First School Leaving  Certificate Examination for each pupil in the private schools while it is free for pupils in public school.

The fee, he further explained is to cover cost of stationeries registration forms, printing of question papers, conduct of the examination and certification.