The Ebonyi State Governor, Eng. David Umahi, has given the newly appointed 64 coordinators of the Development Centres in the state the task ofensuring that there would be no kidnapping in their area; to improve agriculture, execute projects and monitor to ensure that children of school age go to school.

Umahi handed these tasks while giving charge to the coordinators after their swearing in at the Akanu Ibiam International Conference Centre, Abakaliki last Monday.

In a bid to ensure maximum security in the state, Umuahi told the Coordinators to evolve measures to combat violent crimes, particularly kidnapping, warning that they would find themselves in hot soup if kidnapping or any other form of violent crimes occur in their areas.

“If you allow kidnapping to take place in your development centre, either they take somebody from your Development Centre and go to another Development Centre, both Development Centres’ Coordinators are in trouble. It has to be so because you ought to know the bad people in your areas.”

He also gave the Coordinators one month ultimatum to recover all looted funds and properties in their Development Centres from politicians and civil servants.

“It is a must and after one month, if you have not recovered it, we will review our relationship with you,” he said, stressing that his administration has zero tolerance for corruption.

The governor charged them to acquire land and engage in agriculture, adding that the quantity of agricultural produce from their areas would be one of the parametres for assessing their performances.

The governor directed the coordinators to ensure that every child of school age must be going to school.

“No child of school age in the state is expected to be seen loitering during school hours. Every child that is supposed to go to school, must be in school,” Umahi stressed, just as he challenged parents to make out time to attend to the academic needs of their children and wards.

The governor directed that at least 20 per cent of the total earnings of the Development Centres must be dedicated to projects execution, which should be jointly carried out with the Caretaker Committee Chairmen of Local Government Areas.

He advised the coordinators to work with stakeholders in their areas to ensure sustainable peace and development and warned them against all forms of discrimination.

Umahi directed that efforts should be intensified to bring back all estranged members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) back to the fold.

He restated his determination to fulfill all his campaign promises, saying: “Our determination is to keep our promises; the promises we made to people who supported us during the turbulent period.”

Tendering an apology to those who worked for the Divine Mandate who were yet to be accommodated in the appointments he has made so far, the governor reminded them that “everybody cannot be appointed at the same time,” and appealed to them to be patient.

In her remark, the physically challenged who isthe coordinator of Afikpo North Development Centre, Mrs. Ugochukwu Okoh, said she was very impressed with her appointment and promised not to disappoint the governor for the confidence reposed in her, promising toaccord priority to agriculture in her Development Centre.

•Photo shows, L-R; Wife of the Deputy Governor, Nnenna Igwe; Deputy Governor, Kelechi Igwe; Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, and hiswife, Rachael Umahi; and theCo-ordinator, Afikpo North Development Centre, Mrs. Ugochukwu Okoh, a physically challenged that was appointed by the governor during the swearing of 64 coordinators of development centresin Abakaliki on Monday.