The Ebonyi Government says it would employ no fewer than 5,000 persons into its workforce and empower at least 3,000 before January 2022.

Governor Dave Umahi made the declaration on Friday at a news conference in Abakaliki to mark the 25th anniversary of Ebonyi, created on October 1, 1996, by military dictator Sani Abacha.

Reeling out the successes in the state’s growth and development, the governor said, “Our nation and Ebonyi have been going through challenges, especially the scourge of insecurity that has eaten deep into the fabrics of our economy.

“We have spared no efforts in rising to the challenge of building firmly and decisively on the achievements made in the last six years in the state,” Mr Umahi said.

On agriculture, the governor said the state had upgraded its fertilizer blending plant to 80 metric tonnes capacity per hour to address the fertilizer needs of the people.

“We have reactivated the state government’s rice milling plants and installed the parboiling plants to make the state the biggest rice milling hub in Nigeria.

“We have the industrial clusters in each of the three senatorial districts that will create opportunities for businesses,” he said.

(NAN)