I READ with keen interest the views of Gabriel Amalu The Nation’s columnist on Tuesday, September 13, entitled ‘Beware Governor Ugwuanyi’. The columnist, among other false and misleading allegations, stated that the performance of the state government, under Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is not very exciting.
The writer further alleged that the governor’s kinsmen from the Nsukka senatorial zone were “doing very unreasonable things to corner the state public service”, adding that the governor was waging “a war against the two other senatorial zones, the Enugu East and Enugu West.”
I feel betrayed to note that Amalu, who I believe is from Enugu West Senatorial zone of the state, could be so hasty in his judgment about the present administration in Enugu State. His erroneous impression about the governor’s kinsmen pushing nepotism as a policy of government is quite unfortunate and unacceptable. The governor has since the inception of his administration demonstrated his commitment to the principles of equity, justice and fairness in the discharge of his responsibilities.
It is on record that the governor a few days after his assumption of office, precisely on June 6, 2015, had an interactive meeting with the stakeholders of the state at the old Governor’s lodge, Enugu, where he was given the mandate, as a matter of priority, to embark on rapid development of Abakpa-Nike Enugu, Nsukka town, 9th Mile Corner, Emene, Awgu, Oji River and other satellite towns in the state. The state House of Assembly consequently endorsed the decision and approved a supplementary budget for the immediate development of the affected places.
While the likes of Amalu who were not present at the meeting remain biased in their peripheral assessment of the present administration in Enugu State, posterity could only be kind to us who witnessed the event, to abide by the accord reached with the governor and defend it in all circumstances.
It is pertinent to note that the state has witnessed unprecedented achievements under the watch of Governor Ugwuanyi. It is obvious that the writer’s eight-day stay in Enugu was not enough to objectively assess the performance of the present administration.
It is public knowledge that Ugwuanyi’s administration in the spirit of equity, justice and fairness, from the numerous ongoing roads construction across the state, had completed over eight major roads. Among these roads completed, none is located in Nsukka Senatorial zone.
For record purposes, the roads completed, which are of high quality, included the Ogbete Enugu main market road; Airport Roundabout-Eke-Obinagu-Emene road; Nike Lake road, Enugu; Abakpa Nike road; 9th Mile Corner Bypass road in Udi Local Government Area; Nawfia street; Holy Trinity and Bishop Michael Eneje roads all in Independence layout, Enugu, among others.
These are in addition to the 35 capital projects comprising the construction of roads, bridges, school buildings and boreholes in the 17 Local Government Areas of the state, which the state Executive Council recently approved.
I am overwhelmed by the vision of Ugwuanyi in constructing the intractable Inyaba Bridge that would, when completed, link so many communities in Nkanu East Local Government Area, including my community- Amechi-Idodo, and give them access to the council headquarters in Amagunze. This gigantic bridge, which is nearing completion, is not located in Nsukka senatorial zone.
I am convinced that Amalu while in Enugu did not visit the rural areas to see for himself the wonders of the governor in extending development to the frontiers of the rural dwellers, which is one of the policy thrusts of his administration.
All these remarkable achievements are being recorded in the state despite the daunting economic challenges in the country, which have made it impossible for about 27 states to pay workers’ salaries, not to talk of embarking on capital projects.
Since the wind of the current economic crisis reared its ugly head, Governor Ugwuanyi has not only been paying workers’ salaries regularly, he has also remained resolute in fulfilling his promises to the people of the state.
Are we talking of the recent successful Enugu Investment summit – the first of its kind in the state, organized by the state government to woo investors? As at the time of writing, Ugwuanyi’s administration through the state’s Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB) is recruiting 2000 primary school teachers to improve the standard of education in the state – a feat very few states have achieved.
It is also in the public domain that the state government is presently constructing 345 primary schools in the 17 L.G.As of the state, among other ongoing projects.
On the issue of nepotism in the appointment of government positions, may I state that the governor as a cosmopolitan politician does not and would not succumb to such political chicanery. His actions so far in balancing the appointment of public offices in the state have remained equitable, fair and just, unlike what was obtainable in the past.
On the issue of herdsmen’s menace, I would say that the governor has been doing all that are necessary and lawful in addressing the matter and should not be pushed to take actions that could lead to disunity or bloodshed, which are at variance with the oath of office he swore to uphold. Enugu State was the first and the only state that has constituted a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to unravel the remote cause (s) of the incessant herdsmen’s attacks and recommend measures to end the heinous acts.
On the calls for the enactment of an anti-grazing law, may I recall that carrying of firearms by unauthorized persons is already a crime in our law books and does not require a new law to that effect. This is more so when Enugu State government with the endorsement of the security agencies, the Fulani community and other relevant bodies had banned night grazing and movement of cattle, carrying of firearms by the herdsmen, among others.
In times like this, what is expected of a leader is to preach peace and abide by the rule of law. I am glad that the governor has disappointed those who wished that the herdsmen saga would distract him from fulfilling his campaign promises to the people of the state. Enugu State being the gateway to and from the northern part of the country in the South-east, South-south geopolitical zones, and haven lived with herdsmen for over 30 years, it is understandable that such issues could crop up occasionally, compared to other states that have less presence of the cattle-rearers.
Nnamani, a public affairs analyst, writes from Abakpa-Nike, Enugu.