Controversy is brewing in Ebonyi State over the committee set up by the state government to oversee the N1.3bn empowerment for 1,300 youths across the 13 local government areas of the state.
Governor Francis Nwifuru had last week announced his decision to empower 1,300 youths with one million naira each for not participating in the ongoing nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests against President Bola Tinubu-led federal government.
On Wednesday, the State Executive Council set up a 9-man committee to oversee the selection process, with the Deputy Governor, Princess Patricia Obila, as Chairman.
Other members include: Rt. Hon. Moses Odunwa, Speaker Ebonyi State House of Assembly; Sen. Ken Eze, representing Ebonyi Central Constituency in the Senate; Mr Emmanuel Uguru, Member Representing Abakaliki/Izzi Constituency in the House of Representatives.
Others are Stanley Okoro Emegha, State APC Chairman; Mrs. Ann Aligwe, Commissioner for Human Capital Development; Okorie Philip Ogbonnaya, Commissioner for Inter-Party; Comrade Chinedu Emerike, President FON Youth Movement; and Comrade Joshua Nwafor, Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Affairs.
However, the Committee is generating controversy as many in the state view the list with suspicion.
Many have expressed fear that the committee will be used to siphon the money.
A resident in the state, Mr Udoka Ede, argued that the committee will not yield the desired results.
He said: “This is not a party affair, hence the APC chairman shouldn’t have any business with the committee unless it’s merely for political compensation like the looted, misappropriated and unaccounted audio hawkers’ fund.
“The Deputy Governor should also not be seen in the committee because she was not able to make public her findings on the looted hawkers’ fund as the chairman of the investigative committee.
“Lastly, the Governor should step down the committee to local government levels, using upright, unbiased and independent people.”
A constitutional Lawyer, Ifeanyi Chukwu, condemned the drafting of legislators into the committee.
“How do you explain that a serving Senator representing a senatorial district is made a committee member constituted by the State Governor?” He queried.
According to him, the appointment of three legislators was against the separation of powers in a democracy.
“We practice democracy and in democracy, there is separation of powers with the Legislators acting as a check to the Executive.
“Making the Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly a member of a committee to be chaired by the Deputy Governor of the state is an abuse of democracy,” he stated.
Another resident, Ogbonna Francisca argued that distributing the money to the youths will not solve the unemployment problem in the state.
“The governor should use that money to build an industry in Ebonyi. This idea of giving people money is just a temporary fix. He should build industries thereby creating jobs for the people,” she said.
Reacting, the Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, Leo Oketa, promised that the Committee will be transparent.
“The Governor constituted a committee for the selection of youths to benefit from the N1m empowerment to ensure it is not left in the hands of one particular state ministry.
“The committee will definitely work sincerely to justify their inclusion in this delicate assignment.
“But more important than any comment about them, will be an insightful suggestion on how they can get it right,” he said.
Controversy over Ebonyi govt’s N1.3bn youth empowerment scheme