President Goodluck Jonathan has granted import duty waivers to Ebonyi on the ductile iron pipes and accessories for the Oferekpe mega water scheme, Governor Martin Elechi announced on Monday.
Elechi made the announcement in Abakaliki during his address in commemoration of the country?s 52nd Independence celebration and the 16th anniversary of the state.
Elechi said the development had saved the state more than N1.2 billion in the cost of water reticulation from Oferekpe in Ikwo LGA to Abakaliki.
?I wish to, on behalf of the government and people of the state, thank the president for this gesture as it would facilitate this objective aimed at providing water to the people,? he said.
The governor said the water scheme, which was originally estimated to cost N4.5 billion, had now cost more than N6 billion and was nearing completion.
?All the pumps and generators required for the scheme are now in place for eventual fixing and connection while the last shipment of pipes for transmission of water to Abakaliki are under way.
?Other things being equal, we should drink Oferekpe water in Abakaliki in the first quarter of 2013,? he said.
The governor said that following the recommendation of the state?s Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, nine prisoners from the state on death row had been granted pardon in the Abakaliki Prison in the spirit of the celebration.
?Seven others hitherto on the life sentence in Enugu Prison have their conviction reduced to 10 years imprisonment.
?The ministry of justice and the prisons authorities have been given necessary directives to effect this decision,? he said.
The governor said that between October 2007 and 2011, the state had granted 92 prisoners from the state on death row pardon while 18 condemned others had theirs reduced to life imprisonment.
?Prison reports indicate that the released persons have continued to be of good behaviour since their release, thereby justifying the step taken by the government,? he said.
He called on the people to reflect on the various achievements recorded since the state?s creation, which were sufficient justification to thank God for the celebration.
?Who would have thought 16 years ago that school children from Ebonyi would lead Nigeria in international debate competition?
?Who, 16 years ago, would have imagined that the state civil service would transform to be the most information and communication technology-compliant in the country?? he queried.
Dignitaries who attended the event at the Abakaliki Township Stadium included past governors and military administrators of the state, as well as past and serving political office holders, among others.
Highlights of the occasion included cutting of the anniversary cake, march past by school children, and goodwill messages by relevant stakeholders.
