Blazing the trail in Enugu State governance

  By Engr Prince Wilfred Edeoga

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Enugu State emerged out of the various balkanization of old East Central State of Nigeria by the then military in power.

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During the first republic Nigeria operated a parliamentary system of government and M I Okpara was the Premier of then Eastern region from where Enugu state later came into being.

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Under the leadership of M I Okpara, Premier of then Eastern region of Nigeria, the region was believed to be  the fastest growing economy in West Africa; an agro-based economy that brought about outstanding infrastructural development in the region.

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Today Enugu state government led by Dr Peter Ndubisi Mbah seem to have gone back memory lane  to unearth the glory of yesteryears with a view to implementing further the Okpara like agenda of boosting the economy as well as building more sophisticated infrastructure in the state.

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And driven by the Okpara fit, Mbah believe that Okpara’s style of administration which had hitherto been jettisoned by former administrations in the past would be rekindled to function with the realities of global best practices towards bringing Enugu state to an outstanding and blossoming economy that would cater for her people and visitors alike.

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Consequently Mbah was quick to action when he dare the demagogue to tackle security issues which had brought economic activities to an abysmal level in Enugu state, knowing that security of life and property is a paramount responsibility of government for growth and development. Although security is a national problem, but Mbah has been able to bring about relative peace in Enugu state soon after he assumed office. The establishment of a situation monitoring room  with security cameras giving visual tracking of security in Enugu is a masterpiece to buttress the resolve of Mbah’s administration’s commitment to security of life and property.

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In his agenda to make Agriculture the main stay of Enugu economy, he has taken broad steps through direct and partnership investments in agriculture. These include the 100billion partnership project on palm production, the 100billion partnership investment in cassava, rice and other cash crops in Isiuzo local government area, assistance to farmers in provision of land, seedlings and fertilizer for effective growth of the sector.

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Since history of Nigeria no government has ever budgeted and implemented what governor Mbah is implementing in the Education sector. The sum of 158 billion is over and above the UN prescribed investment in education budgeting, so Mbah’s administration has accorded priority to education in his belief that it is the bedrock of development. To say the numerous educational goals he has, and set to achieve include 262 smart schools in every ward in Enugu state with all the ultra modern learning equipment to be installed, the upgrading of Igboano health institute to a University, fully rehabilitated school of nursing with ultra-modern facilities among many others.

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One would think Mbah is from the moon, no, he just is one entity who believe that our country Nigeria should be made better like the other western nations. Government they say is a continuum, as such he has embarked on building, rebuilding and completing abandoned projects and dilapidated  infrastructure in the state. The International conference abandoned by previous regimes is now being completed with a 5 star hospitality center which will make Enugu state a tourism hub in the Southeast..

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Mbah seem to be in a hurry to implement his promises to Enugu people thus, he

declared emergency on water production and reticulation in Enugu. Although the  project is still on-going, the governor has proved himself by providing water in a  180days as promised.

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One cannot count the numerous projects that are on-going in Enugu state. In the health sector, there’s an ultra modern health centers under construction in the wards and designed to help reduce primary healthcare problems in the rural areas.

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The flag off the dualization of Abakpa Nike road, the Nowas-T-Junction- Ibeagwa-Ogbeke-Ugwogo Nike-Opi Nsukka Road on October 28, 2024, is  one project that cannot be left without mention among the numerous roads constructed and under construction in Enugu since Mbah’s administration. It is roads and roads everywhere.

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The harmonization of tax burden has finally erased the issue of multiple taxation on the citizen, therefore engendered the ease of doing business in the state. The recent clamp down on  land grabbing, promotion of modern transportation system, especially with the ultra modern motor packs under construction in Old park, Garikki, Nsukka, etc, are just unprecedented happenings in Governor Mbah’s administration.

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On sports, the Mbah administration after setting a new management team with adequate funding for Enugu Rangers international, the club went ahead to win the national league trophy.

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As one who has excelled in both public and private concerns, Gov. Mbah has shown vision and will to pilot  Enugu to an enviable height. That’s why the many reforms in the civil service where the activities are now digitized to enhance efficiency. The ministries and parastatals have all the implements of trade; from both goods and chattels needed for the workers services. The workers welfare is second to none as he has approved the sum of 80k as new minimum wage.

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The moribond Hotel presidential Enugu is now undergoing reconstruction, the Nigergas,  the floor mill and other creation of employment infrastructure which activities had been comatose is being fixed by the super focused Mbah administration.

I am not writing to enumerate Mbah’s achievement within the period in office, I wish to highlight a few achievements recorded by this man who has shown administrative wizardry.

Is Governor Peter Mbah ambitious? Yes He is, otherwise how could he be handling all the monumental projects within a short space of time, moreso when there is scarce resources. Is Mbah a magician? Not just a magician but a man with the wand for the management of people and resources.

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True to type, Mbah is justifying the mandate Enugu people seeded to him by hurrying to bring about an unprecedented change to human development, infrastructure and peace in Enugu State.

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However the Chief servant of Enugu state has attracted to himself an unrivalled followership due to the many successes recorded in his administration in a shot time. Of course His Nkanu people and  indeed Enugu are proud to have a brave, meticulous, diligent and vision packed person in him.

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Engr Prince Wilfred Edeoga writes from Enugu