Gov Mbah Reassures Commitment To making Enugu Conducive For Investments, Businesses, Tourism
By Wilfred Chukwuma
The Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah has reiterated his administration’s commitment to making Enugu State safe for businesses and increased development.
Speaking at a town hall meeting with the people of the state at the Old Government Lodge, on Saturday, with the theme, “Governance Issues: The Journey so far”, Mbah reaffirmed that his administration will continue to strive towards consistent growth and development of the state.
The governor noted that his commitment to ensuring his pledges remain “sacred pronouncements” and not mere words, also reminded that his 8 years target of growing the state’s current Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $4.4 billion to $30 billion are in order.
Governor Mbah further, highlighted some of the projects his government had executed and currently working on within his 18 months in office, which he subsequently sectioned into Water, Healthcare, Security,Education and Tourism sectors.
The project included the construction of 260 Smart Green Schools in each political ward in the state, the construction of 260 Type 2 Primary Health Care Centres in 260 wards in the state, Provision of Farm Estate, to bring agriculture to a large scale, and alleviating poverty as it creates more employment opportunities, provision of portable water within 180 days of assumption of office, infrastructural development, electricity, tourism development, security, transportation among others.
Mbah who highlighted the insecurity issues tackled by his administration, noted that his administration with immediate effect ended the sit-at-home saga in the state, which with fear coerced the citizens from engaging in their businesses, and thus, restrained them from carrying out their daily earning activities.
While still enumerating his achievements, the Governor said in the past 18 months, his administration had invested in procuring 100 distress response squad (DRS) vehicles and mounted high-tech security cameras at significant areas in the state, to check mate insecurity, and boost round on clock surveillance.
Further talking on these achievements, Mbah disclosed that his administration had invested greatly in education, noting that his government allocated an unprecedented amount in the education sector, in the current state’s budget.
The governor while noting this, asserted “every country’s socio-economic fate is heavily tied to the standard of its education”.
He further pointed, the ongoing Smart Green School initiative, which ought to be equipped with Artificial intelligence lab, Science Lab, Tech Lab, and other “smart academic Labs, “so that our kids will be impacted with the right skills and knowledge, to have a leading advantage in a rapidly changing world” he said.
Also speaking on the state of water in Enugu, Mbah disclosed that the state government had signed a partnership agreement with Watson Nestor company which has “injected $100 million to help modernize the water scheme”. The Governor noted that “while the company takes care of technical areas, the state government will take care of the production of water”.
He further noted that the company will replace the old pipes, take water to the door steps of the residents and provide meters, and thus, water rate will be 20% less than what residents currently spends on purchasing water.
The governor who talked on the importance of Enugu leading and advancing its Tourism sector, and attracting foreign investors in the state through the tourism, also noted the moves his administration had been making towards building strategic Tourism attraction sites.
He further highlighted the upgrading of the Unity Park, completion of the International Conference Centre, construction of tourist sites at Omu waterfall and Ngwo high forest, among others.
The governor who further asserted “We are not done yet as there is a need for consistent efforts towards growth and development of the state”, also thanked the people for their continuous support to his administration.
“What’s really the definition of democracy without its People? No society can attain greatness without the support and sacrifices of its people”, the governor emphasised.
The event had in attendance, professional bodies from different sectors, Traditional rulers, Local Government chairmen, Business community, Student leaders, religious coordinators, Members of Executive Council, Political office holders, among others.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, while he is presently on his M.Sc programme also in Mass Communication, at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is currently the NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
