By PETRUS OBI.
Dear Governor,
I am writing because I have no option here.
Your Excellency, In case you are not aware, so many people, political observers, critics, journalists, saved, not only your inaugural speech at the Okpara Square on May 29, 2023, but also your manifesto.
Your promises were not just humongous, they sounded unattainable, unrealistic or even imaginary. They sounded like the usual promises from Nigerian politicians and leaders, and, many have waited to see how things turn out as years roll by.
Recently, I woke up to read from an Anambra critic – Odera (Pen of the gods); the piece was titled “Warning to Governor Mbah of Enugu.” He wrote:
‘Sir, I would have told you is not friendly advise but I told you is friendly.
‘What you are doing is not friendly at all , yes, you are a bully; let me explain.
‘Anambara is supposed to be Enugu’s senior and big brother, but the intimidation you are meting out to us is humiliating.
‘Okay, let me not comment on the transformation you are giving Enugu State without cho Cho cho (noise)…you simply brought another one which I won’t support.
‘Anambara was the first to battle Criminals in our bushes with Agû na Eche Mba, even though with Egbe chakakpom (inferior) and now you have given your own Vigilante, Guns which three will buy all the ‘chakabula’ we use in our state.
‘My anger is that if you chase all the criminals away from Enugu, they will come to Anambara and turn it “Home for all criminals.
‘So Sir, I plead that at times you allow your men to stroll into Anambara and show us some love. We agree that you pass us on good Governance, kindly have mercy and throw some security around us.
‘I come on bended knees. I am Mazi Odera POg JP, known as Mkpisi Ndi Egede or Dibia ónu ike.’
The Anambra based writer was referring to the recent sophisticated crime fighting equipment you added to what was already on ground.
If Odera, Pen Of The gods, was trembling over what the people of Enugu are already getting used to, one wonders what his reactions would be when he learns of your approval to constrct and reconstruct all urban roads in Enugu.
A government statement says this is in line with your administration’s target to pave all the roads in Enugu metropolis before the end of your first term in office.
“We have done the first phase, which was over 90 roads. We have also done phase two, which also exceeded the earlier planned 141 urban roads. So, we are now in phase three. Here, we are going to award contracts that will cover all the roads that are yet to be paved in Enugu metropolis.
“These roads cut across New GRA, Old GRA, Emene Zone, Abakpa Zone, Thinkers Corner, Airport Corner, Upper Meniru in Awkunanaw, Idaw River Layout, Gariki, Maryland, Achara Layout, Uwani, One Day and Upper One Day, Trans Ekulu, Independence Layout, Independence Layout Phase II, Coal Camp Zone, Pocket Layout, as well as Ogui and Asata Zone, among other places. We want to cover the uncovered areas roads in the Enugu metropolis,” he said.
Returning to your inaugural speech, I found answers to some questions.
You said; “For six months, I traversed the length and breadth of Enugu State visiting the 68 development centres. During this time, I listened to you, saw your challenges in the midst of considerable resources and felt your pains….
“There is no doubting Enugu’s capacity to recreate the iconic wonderment of economic prosperity and phenomenal growth witnessed in Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. Our will is strong and unshakeable. We are also acutely aware that where there is a will, there is always a way. When their forebears conceived the models of Dubai and Singapore some few decades ago, they too began to sow their tomorrow like a tiny seed as we are doing today. At that moment, the conceivers of the dreams appeared like some theatre jesters. Today, those countries have become models of the wondrous depth of human capacity.
“We will pursue an infrastructural revolution in Enugu State by turning our state into one huge construction site. We will prioritize road construction and infrastructural renewal ensuring that our roads are well paved. Where necessary we shall construct flyovers and dualise roads as a remedy to any gridlocks.
“Our approach to tackling insecurity in Enugu State will be by adopting the kinetic and non-kinetic models and approaches. We will strengthen community policing architecture; neighbourhood watch and forest guards. In this mode, we will deploy modern technology such as CCTV cameras and others, as well as establishing a command-and-control centre in Enugu State, so as to track perpetrators of crime who we will pursue and bring to justice.
Your Excellency, you must be wondering where my problem with you lies.
It lies in your pace which appears too fast for so many people who never believed its possible.
It could be found in the fact that you are proving doubting Thomas’s wrong so early in the day.
It lies in records that may be difficult to match, especially for some of us who would want to be Governor tomorrow.
It also lies in Odera’s fears and alleged ‘intimidation.’
But, are these really problems?
If the answer is in the negative, then I ask to be forgiven for choice of words.
Yours Faithfully,
Petrus Obi.
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Email: petrusobi@gmail.com
