…vow to Protect Massive Projects Mbah Executes in their LGs

Nsukka and Udenu local government stakeholders yesterday, Tuesday,November 12, 2024, vowed to protect the massive projects that the Mbah Administration was constructing in their local governments, as the Inspectorate Team led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, engaged the stakeholders of the two local governments, respectively.

The team had first gone to Udenu Local Government. The chairman of the local government, Aka Eze Aka and his team warmly received them. The hall was filled to the brim with an overflow. Prof. Onyia engaged the people in his demonstrative interactive session for over two hours on the need for the people to own the projects being executed in the local government, saying that ownership would engenger sustainability. Prof. Onyia also pointed out the fact that Nsukka economic block was getting 102 smart green schools and 102 type 2 hospitals, the cost of which was over N102 billion, as each smart school from start to finished would cost N1billion.He reiterated the fact that if the people understood the benefits of the projects to them, they would protect them against vandalism and the stealing of installed equipment.

Speaking on behalf of Udenu traditional rulers, Igwe Waziri thanked Gov. Mbah for the many projects being executed in the 10 wards of Udenu Local Government, saying that it was not propaganda but clear implementation of projects here and there in the local government. He also promised that the traditional rulers and town union leaders of the various communities would protect the smart schools and the type 2 hospitals in the 10 wards of the local government.

At Nsukka, the Adada Hall was filled with Nsukka Local Government stakeholders, town union presidents, councillors, community leaders, women, and concerned people of the local government. Hon. Engr Jude Asogwa, the chairman of Nsukka Local Government, expressed immense gratitude to Governor Mbah for the 20 smart schools, 20 type 2 hospitals and the 200 kilometres of roads(10 kilometres in each of the 20 wards) being constructed. Asogwa also mentioned the various projects his administration had within a few weeks of its inauguration, implemented. He also thanked the governor for the interchange terminal completed at Ogige Nsukka, saying Mbah’s drive for grassroots development had rubbed off on the various local government chairmen.

The chairman of Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, who also hails from Nsukka,indeed prayed God to keep Mbah for Enugu State, saying such massive projects as Mbah unleashed were unheard off in the history of Enugu State in general and Nsukka in particular. Prof. Damian Opata, on his own, said Enugu State had known true governance since Mbah became governor. Opata said it was good that governance began quite early in the administration of Mbah, urging the governor to keep it up. He said it was not just governance but also monitoring, honesty and diligence at work, affirming that if Mbah continued that way, Enugu State would in no time emerge the best state in the country.

Meanwhile, Prof. Onyia for yet another two hours engaged the people profiling the economy of the state, the budget and its implementation and the need for the people to own the projects, saying that the 2025 budget of the state slated over N400 billion for capital expenditure. He said the IGR of the state had increased from N35 billion per annum to N81 billion in the first quarter, saying that was still below the target of N250 billion per annum. Onyia also said that the governments did not increase the tax rate but had widened the tax base and plugged leakages by deploying technology to the revenue collection process.

The people expressed their maximum support and appreciation to the Mbah Administration, thanking the governor for the projects covering the entire Enugu State without any discrimination. They said that if third tenure was possible, they would want Mbah to continue as the governor of Enugu State ad infinitum.

On the Inspectorate Team were the SSG, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia; SPA Political, Frank Anioma; SPA Special Duties, Mabel Agbo; SPA Education, Dr Chinyere Onyeisi; SSA Project Management, Arch. Winnie Ilo; SSA Revenue, Adenike Okebu; SSA New Media, Dr Reuben Onyishi; SSA SDGs, Francis Anioke; SA, Revenue and Monitoring, Sandra George; SA Public Enlightenment, Kizito Awulu; SA Works, Engr. Emehelu and TA to the Commissioner for Works, Engr Jude Uwakwe.