Ebonyi Reconstitutes Traditional Rulers Council

Governor David Umahi
of Ebonyi State has reconstituted the state’s traditional rulers council with His Royal Highness, Igwe Charles Mkpuma as the new Chairman of the 26-member council.
Our Correspondent reports that the 13 local government areas of the state produced two members each.
Umahi directed the traditional rulers to relocate to the health centres and general hospitals in their domains.
“You should stay more in these health institutions to monitor their activities, as you are pivotal to the realisation of our health policies and programmes.”
“The various local government caretaker chairmen are directed to construct extra structures for you at these centres for convenience towards achieving optimum results.”
The governor also directed the council members to ensure that all children in their domains were schooling, as well as check incidences of kidnapping, cultism, child-trafficking, among other crimes.
“I will not discipline any defaulter as you are all my fathers but I will overlook the person and allow the laws to take its course.
“Your stages in life warrant mending your ways and seeking peace with God, as you should also seek His infinite wisdom to settle issues such as land disputes.”
He said that his administration attached importance to the welfare of the royal fathers which made it increase their monthly allowance from N40,000 to N100,000.
“We would fulfill our promise of providing befitting vehicles for you and engage you to be active, strong and young,” he said.
Responding, Mkpuma commended the governor for the appointment, especially his confirmation from acting to substantive chairman of the council.
`We would do our part in ensuring that your policies and actions were replicated at the grassroots, as you have given us the desired sense of belonging,” he said.
The state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Augustine Nwankwagu, explained that the reconstitution followed due process.
He said “Governor Umahi has fulfilled the provisions of the state’s Traditional/Autonomous Communities: Cap 166, Laws of Ebonyi 2009.
“The remaining provision to be fulfilled is the appointment of a patron for the council, as the appointee who must be a traditional ruler, who would perform advisory roles,” he said.