Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State yesterday promised
to continue with his vision to provide good governance and other basic needs of
the people of the state in order to “build the Enugu State of our dreams”,
notwithstanding the economic difficulties in the country.
Gov. Ugwuanyi while thanking the people of Enugu State for
their unparalleled support, solidarity and prayers also promised that his
administration will continue to run an open and accountable government and work
assiduously towards the realization of the dreams of the state’s founding
fathers.
These promises were contained in the governor’s address to
the people of the state during the 2017 Democracy Day celebration at the
Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, which was attended by a mammoth crowd including
past and present leaders of the state such as the Deputy President of the
Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and other members of the National Assembly; the
Governor’s wife, Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi; state’s Deputy Governor, Mrs. Cecilia
Ezeilo;, the Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi
and other members of the House; former Governor of the State, Dr. Okwesilieze
Nwodo, Service Chiefs, and former Deputy Governors of the state.
Others include: the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most
Rev Callistus Onaga; the Archbishop of Enugu Province (Anglican Communion),
Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma; the Archbishop of Enugu Methodist Church of
Nigeria, Most Rev. Barr. C.N Ede; other clerics; the organized Labour; revered
Traditional Rulers, etc.
Highlighting his achievements in office, Gov. Ugwuanyi who
noted that the primary responsibility of government is the welfare of the
people and the security of lives and property, said that his administration
will continue to pay workers’ salaries and pensions on the 25th of every month
in recognition of the fact that the civil service is the fulcrum and engine
room of governance.
The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to
peace and security of the state to maintain the state’s status as one of the
safest in the country, adding that the government has revitalized the
Neighbourhood Association and recently launched the Enugu State Security Trust
Fund to galvanize resources and provide the enablers that will ensure the
effective equipping of the Neighbourhood Watch to complement the efforts of the
Nigerian Security Agencies.
Gov. Ugwuanyi added that his administration has recorded
tremendous feats in infrastructural development as a major goal to enhance the
wellbeing of the people of the state as well as initiating innovative programmes
aimed at economic stimulation and diversification.
He mentioned that the government a few days ago
simultaneously commissioned 26 development projects it executed across the 17
local government areas, which were among the 35 grassroots projects flagged off
in October 2016 to open up the rural areas and catalyze socio-economic growth.
The governor further stated that his administration also
carried out major construction projects as well as intervened in the rehabilitation
of failed sections of some federal roads in the state, which hitherto caused
untold hardships to the people, slowed economic activities and in many
instances, led to the loss of lives.
He said that the government had initiated a N10 million per
community based programme tagged “one autonomous community one project” to
further take development to the rural areas, promising that the forthcoming
Local Government council elections in the state will be the most transparent in
recent history.
“I am here today to reaffirm my promises to you and reassure
you that this administration will continue to work for the common good of our
people. Recall that on this day in 2015, I sincerely acknowledged the fast
depleting revenue profile of the State owing to the slump in oil price and low
internally generated revenue. Back then, I had assured you that I believed in
the miracle of five loaves and two fish; and that I and my team would harness
and apply every available resource with utmost transparency, honesty, prudence,
and equity to the benefit of the ordinary man.
“Our empowerment programmes designed to alleviate poverty
and other socio-economic challenges among our people, have been successful.
These include the facilitation of 100 units of one bedroom flats for civil
servants of Grade Levels 1-10 at Elim Estate and the Enugu State Traders
Empowerment Programme, which was specifically designed to empower market
traders in the State through a monthly open lottery where 100 lucky winners
receive the sums of N50,000 each. This is in addition to other schemes targeted
at youth development”, Gov. Ugwunayi highlighted.
By Blog10Staff
