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| Rt. Hon. Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi |
Today’s crop
of leaders is witnessing the worst economic depression in the annals of the
country. Most economic indices point to diversification of the economy as
the only viable option for the nation’s economic recovery, as the mantra
has changed from Excess Crude Oil fund to Bailout fund.
Luckily, a
handful of leaders had taken the bull by the horns and swung into action
through their steadfastness and innovative approach towards exploiting other
avenues of revenue to meet their people’s needs.
In Enugu
State for instance, the economic realities characterized by paucity of revenue
in the midst of avalanche of demands and people-oriented programmes are being
tackled by the courage and driving force of the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, in
spite of the negative development in the oil sector.
Chief Ugwuanyi’s
administration has continued to pay workers’ salaries promptly despite the
economic meltdown; it has also maintained a harmonious working relationship
with the Organised Labour in the state.
Construction
work in about eight urban and rural roads across the three senatorial districts
of the state, recently flagged off by the governor, is ongoing, as contractors
have been fully mobilized in all the sites. Chief Ugwuanyi in his desire to
ensure delivery of quality jobs within the stipulated contract period, had,
through the Chairman of the Enugu State Urban Renewal Committee, Chris Offor, ordered the contractors
handling various road projects in the state to speed up work, on the grounds
that the government was in a hurry to deliver on its promises to the people
despite the drastic effects of the perennial economic meltdown.
Also, the
State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Patrick Ikpenwa, had on several occasions during his routine
inspection visits to sites, told contractors to stick to work
specification, ensure that standards are maintained and work to
ensure that the projects are completed within the specified period.
In the Nike
Lake Road project, work has reached advanced stage of asphalts placement in the
first one kilometre of the road. Also, in the Udenu Ring Road project,
drainages, culverts and earthworks are ongoing. In the Amaeke- Nsude – 9th mile
by-pass road project, being handled by CCC Nig. Ltd, earthworks have been
completed; culverts are on-going while stone-base is 50 per cent
completed.
Notably, the
governor, through the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, had successfully
repaired most potholes in Enugu metropolis including the popular 9th mile
corner roads, under the Operation Zero Pothole (OZP) Programme initiated for
aggressive maintenance of all the existing roads in line with his principle of
seamless continuity and consolidation.
One
appreciates the fruitfulness of the trip to Dublin, Ireland for an investment
drive which led to the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the
Enugu State Government and the authorities of Dublin City University on how to
promote education in the state as one of the focal points of the government’s
development initiatives. It is strongly believed that the people of the state
would feel the fruitful discussions and other fallout of the investment trip in
no distant time.
Chief
Ugwuanyi has in recent times spent more time on the field than in the office in
his bid to address the needs and problems of the people of the state. Within
three days, the governor made appreciable interventionist moves towards
brokering peace between the two warring communities of Umuodo and Oruku in
Nkanu East Local Government Area of the state through unscheduled peace mission
visits and meeting with stakeholders of the two communities.
The governor
made a brief stopover at Uzam Community Primary School, Amechi-idodo, to
appreciate pupils of the school who lined up on the road in large numbers to
welcome him. After identifying the needs of the school, he promised to improve
on the learning condition of the pupils.
Chief Ugwuanyi has
through his absolute faith in God continued to maintain his promise to the
people of Enugu State, “to deploy government services to create fair and equal
opportunity for every willing citizen to make a living and create wealth,
educate our children and enjoy life in a peaceful and secure environment”.
It is the
responsibility of the people to continue to give his administration the maximum
support it deserves to successfully drive the wheels of governance in this
moment of economic depression. (Guardian)
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