The Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahihas laid the foundation for the 5,000 unit of blocks for the less privileged in Umuobuna Etiti Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state.

Umahi, at the ceremony which attracted members of the State Executive Council, traditional rulers, businessmen youths and many others, thanked the initiators of the project, Africa Nations Development Programme for considering Ebonyi State for the project.

The Governor added that a similar project would take place in Izzi Local Government Area; and enjoined the people to release their land for such developments.

Umahi, who headed straight to the venue of the ceremony from his working visit to Abuja, alsosaid that his administration and the Bank of Industry (BOI) have planned to deposit N2 billion each to fund small scale industries.

The Governor, in a statementon Sundayby his Chief Press Secretary, Emma Anya,noted that the aim was to enable people engage in productive ventures. He explained that the money would be made available for any group of people in the state with viable projects.

"We haveconcluded discussion withthe Bank of Industry and the BOI is funding small scale industries and programmes. Wehave offered to deposit in a common account the sum of N2 billion andthe bankwill add their own N2 billion. With this, any group of persons or corporative that comes up with viable projects today will draw from this fund. Itdoesn't matter if the entire fundis spentin one LGA. It's going to be first come first served. This is an incentive to draw our people out to begin to do things with their hands," he said.

The Governor also said that effortswereonto settle for investors interested in the development of limestone and salt in the state. He disclosed thata multi-national cement company,Larfage, was at the final stage of establishing the biggest cement factory in the country inEbonyi LGA.

He said:“We have also spoken to about three investors that are very much interested in our salt and limestone and it’s our hope thatNigercem in Nkalagu willverysoon resume production.We’re also working with Larfage to develop the biggest cement factory in the whole of Nigeria at Ebonyi LGA. They’re at the final stage of doing this.”

While appreciating the ANDP for the project, the Governor announced that the two- kilometreroadrequestedby the organisationwould be constructed.

“Your Excellency, Ambassador Samson Omojuyigbe, we want to thank you very much and we will give you all the support. Presently, we have very good road network around this location and the only request you made which is about two kilometres ofroad, the moment you start construction, we will do the road to encourage you,” he assured.

Earlier, the Director General of ANDP,Amb. Omojuyigbe, saidthe new city would oncompletion alleviate the suffering of the less privileged andguarantee decent lifefor the coming generation.

On his part, the Country Director, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Eze, said that the housing project wouldcomprise 5,000 detached two bedroom bungalows and other facilities such as schools, water, electricity, police station, barracks and hospitals among others.

He statedthat the occupants would be trained and empowered to enable them have standard means of livelihood.

In their separate remarks, the Chairman of Ohaozara LGA,Nkechinyere Iyioku, and the Commissioner for Lands, ChiefSundayInyima, commendedGovernor Umahifor attracting the project to the area.