The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has called on the people of Ebonyi State to continue to support Governor Dave Umahi in his efforts to develop the state.

Ekweremadu, who paid Christmas homage to Umahi at his Uburu residence in Ohaozara Local Government Area, said such support would make the governor deliver democracy dividends to them.

“It when you cooperate with him that he will be spurred to do more for you. That democracy dividend he promised you during electioneering will be difficult to meet in atmosphere of rancour,” Ekweremadu told other visitors who were also on a similar homage.

The Deputy Senate President described the victory of Engr. Umahi in the last governorship election in the state as the act of God.

He described Umahi’s administration as “an instrument ordained by God for the unification of Ebonyi State.”

Senator Ekweremadu assured that he would use his position to galvanise both local and international support for the Umahi-led administration to enable it accelerate the development of the state.

He expressed confidence that the ongoing efforts by Umahi to transform the markets in the state into modern markets would attract both local and international investors to the state.

Those that visited the governor included members of the State Executive Council, the stakeholders of Ikwo Local Government Area led by the State Deputy Governor, Dr. Eric Kelechi Igwe; the Board and Management of the state College of Education, led by its chairman, Engr. Fidelis Nwankwo; the Governing Council of the state University, Abakaliki led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Francis Idike; the Rector of Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Afikpo, Venerable Ogbonnaya Ibe- Enwo; Ohaukwu Local Government Stakeholders; the state Traditional Rulers’ Council led by His Royal Highness, Charles Mkpuma; and members of the State Fiscal Responsibility Commission.

Addressing the visitors, Governor Umahi thanked them for coming to share the joy of Christmas with him.

He used the occasion of his audience with the members of the State Executive Council to announce the suspension of the collection of Internally Generated Revenue for the month of January, 2016.

According him, “Collection of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) should be suspended for the month of January for government to come up with civilised method of revenue drive in the state.”

The governor similarily announced the lifting of the suspension order on the Special Assistant to the Governor on Talent Development and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Jacinta Nworie.

He said: “The first thing to give you this Christmas is to lift the suspension order on one of you.” Umahi appauladed the council members for their commitment to duty and urged them to be peace makers and bridge builders.

He declared the 31st of this month as a day of fasting and prayers by the Executive Council Members for the state and for their families.

•Photo shows Senator Ekweremadu.