EverydayNews Telescope
Enugu: Let the probes start, N300m in private account in Lands, T-Junction toll gate
That the Enugu Ministry of Land was a mess, is not in doubt. That the Commissioner allegedly
resigned as things were about to be exposed, could be placed side-by-side his claims that his lieutenants were punished “for doing there jobs diligently.”
The prompt redeployment of the former Information Commissioner, Hon Chidi Aroh to the Ministry of Lands is a welcome development.
Also laudable is the news that the commissioner has already taken over after a church service in the Ministry Thursday.
Now the probe must start. And the public has to be carried along. The people must know how the probe is going and findings too.
EverydayNews reliably gathered that over N300 million has been discovered in a single account of one of the principal staff in the Ministry. Landed property not included.
This super Civil Servant may be worth over N1 billion in cash and assets. Is this the beginning of the end of sharp practices in the ministry?
While the people await for the proper thing to be done and those indicted prosecuted, EverydayNews Telescope turns to the Toll Gate mounted at the T-Junction flyover which is under construction.
His Excellency Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi was there on inspection Thursday, but may not know of the Toll Gate which has been generating millions of naira to those in charge.
Since the closure of the T-Junction, motorists were forced to use other connecting roads. At first it was very rough and tough for motorists but things are gradually improving.
However, those who can afford the N200 and more toll gate mounted at both ends of the road are allowed access.
The unanswered questions are: who put up this toll gate; is it the government, the contractors or an individual; and for what purpose?
Are the funds going into Government or private purse? It is an open secreet and those who still use the T-Junction have been discussing it in whispers and hushed tones pointing fingers at the Government.
EverydayNews is of the view that the Toll Gate should be probed and the masses properly informed.
LET THE PROBES START
Next on EverydayNews Telescope is the appointment of the next Information Commissioner. Enugu must get it right this time.
By PETRUS OBI.
The appointment of a replacement for former Minister of Innovative Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji who resigned over certificate controversies may have come and gone, but the echoes are all around.
While the appointment received wide spread commendations from across the states there were still pockets of behind the scene complaints from some interested politicians and their followers.
I have decided to write for those who may have lost their voices. Seek answers to those who are still shocked by the choice of a serving Commissioner.
The lobbying for the appointment of a new Enugu Minister was a serious contest amongst political players in a long queue. Even when very few names featured prominently, many others maneuvered behind the scene.
But Governor Peter Mbah made his choice and Barr. Kingsley Udeh, a serving Commissioner became the lucky one.
Many were shocked. Its time to tell ourselves the truth. Enugu didn’t see it coming. And, here lies the title of this write up, “The Silence Of Angry Politicians.”
Personally, as a journalist, I was hoping for an Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi nomination; others rooted for Sullivan Chime, but the Governor had better plans. And having closely followed this administration, I didn’t have doubts in his decision. Rather, he made me put on my thinking cap in search of answers.
The search took me back in time to May 29, 2023 at the Okpara Square. I found the Governor’s inaugural speech when he stated, inter alia…” this administration will be business unusual. Tough decisions will be taken. Those decisions will however be taken in the best interest of Ndi Enugu and Enugu State in general.
“We will pursue an infrastructural revolution in Enugu State by turning our state into one huge construction site…
”
From day one, the Governor had a vision, and his actions have shown focus, determination and desire to succeed. He has also refused to be distracted.
There was also a flashback to his 100 days in office. While others were hurriedly trying to get one or two projects commissioned, the Governor reminded Enugu people that the race wasn’t a 100 meters dash, but a mile race that will last for four years. He said he was still at planning stage. And by the time he got started, he left doubting Thomas’s tongue-tied.
The bulldozers went roaring, project sites evolved. The roads became transformed, developmental project sites ubiquitous.
Like Mbah said, its a total departure from the old style of governance. But, is it working? The answer surely, is in the positive.
Even a few persons who have unsuccessfully tried to paint a negative image of his administration accepted the fact that he has done well. The only issue appear to be individual benefit.
For a Governor who fought hard for victory at the polls, Mbah appear to have won the hearts of the Enugu masses with his development projects.
He may not have satisfied the individual yearnings of politicians in both appointment and patronage, but no right thinking individual would not want to identify with such a success story.
As I continue to solve the puzzle on what may have informed the nomination of the State Attorney General over more established politicians as many expected, my mind kept going over this excerpt from the same inaugural speech, when he echoed;
”
This is not time for politics. It is not time for passion as well. It is time for the sowing of the seed for the Enugu of our dream.”
By PETRUS OBI
Lest we forget, during the ENDSARS protest, some warehouses and Local government headquarters were attacked and palliatives which were meant for the masses, but never got to them, taken away by protesters.
Again, another palliative just like the story of school feeding in the past, and other failed government measures has cropped up.
We understand, the government is in a hurry to stop the protest. Yes, the protest will do more harm than good and the same masses would suffer it more. But how long will it take us to learn from mistakes of the past?
For one, the government itself knows that it’s almost impossible for this rice to get to the targeted destination, the masses. That is, if those handling the project will procure half of the numbers budgeted for. Are we no longer Nigerians?
This same government has spent billions of Naira on similar palliative in recent times; where there efforts to find out how those projects fared? We don’t have such time.
This is a ‘panic’ decision for fear of what the planned protest could lead to. It also exposes the government more. Thus, we ask again, who is the rice for? How many bags go to the Senators and House of Reps members, Ministers, Presidential Aides, Special Advisers, Ambassadors, Governors, Local Government Chairmen, Commissioners, the list is longer than the number of bags to be procured.
Not long ago the naira gained so much in such a short time that the government warned those hoarding the dollar to bring them out or lose their money. Another fire service approach that backfired.
Why are the people protesting?
From Onanuga, who is pointing accusing fingers at Peter Obi, to Senate President Akpabio who is blaming people that lost election, it appears the government doesn’t really know why the masses are on edge.
Those who seemed to know, and tried to speak out, like Senator Ali Ndume was removed from his position in the Senate.
Your Excellency Mr. President, in case you don’t know what the problem is, Everydaynewsngr.net can assist.
Your people are starving. The cost of food is out of the Common man’s reach. Fuel prices are on the rise and so is the cost of transportation.
In the midst of these, those in government continue to display affluence. Government body-movement also doesn’t show the pain of the people. An expensive residence for the Vice President may not be out of place but not the right time. Not when millions cannot put food on the table. These are part of the problems, your Excellency.
The people are hungry and they are not seeing signs of hope, signs of a better tomorrow.
Patronising people who voted and supported your emergence as President is not out of place but it mustn’t be to the detriment of the people.
Issues of Rivers Crisis and that of Kano Emirship tussle are also masses related and must be handled with caution. The people are waiting to see what happens to Governor Fubara when Assembly members openly decamped to the APC.
Your Excellency, it happened in Ebonyi State when former Governor, Dave Umahi joined APC with Assembly members. That Assembly never sat until the end of that tenure. The Court matter was tactically allowed to linger until that tenure elapsed. We cannot shift the goal post now. The people will say No.
We have seen a local government chairman openly insulting Fubara, can this happen in any other State? There should be a level playing ground for all. Injustices breed anger and could lead to protests.
Everyday News feels the government should rather bring together a think-tank of professionals to look into the problems and seek solutions. Let it not be another ‘government magic’ but a genuine attempt to correct some anomalies. Credible people who are selfless individuals with ability to study the situation and make recommendations to the government. Even the opposition could take part in this. That’s the way Nigerians will believe you have their interest at heart. Such recommendations and it’s implementation should be in public domain.
EverydayNews Telescope
Harassment of motorists by Enugu LG touts must stop, chairman should be called to order
They are not members of the MOT – Ministry of Transport who control traffic. They are not VIO. They have no job specifications, yet they are ubiquitous in major roads in Enugu East Local Government Area.
They could best be described as thugs or touts whichever you choose. They put on dirty yellow, pink T-shirts and operate on keke, parading fake ID cards.
They have one aim – to extort motorists.
At the slightest opportunity they pounce and threaten to take you to the Local Government headquarters, yet they have no proof of any traffic offence.
They try to intimidate the driver and would attack if money is not forthcoming.
People who know their rights have severally refused to be intimidated and often escape from them.
But for those who may not be connected to the authority, their story is pathetic.
Many have been robbed by these miscreants. Cash, phones, ATM cards are always their targets.
Recently, a man who said he was traveling from Anambra to Abuja was stopped as he parked to buy water. The man was still in his vehicle waiting for the water when they pounced on him.
Clearly the man had not committed any crime, nor contravened any traffic offence and they couldn’t pin him down to any offence.
For refusing to part with his money they pounced on him. The man fought back and by the time people intervened, the man had received sufficient beating and his clothes torn.
This is one of several victims amongst vehicle owners who ply the Nike/Timber/Nike LAKE roads.
This daylight robbery and harassment is allegedly encouraged by the local government administration.
A police source confirmed that severally they had been arrested only to be set free on the orders of the Local Government Chairman.
This is unacceptable and a dent on the new administration led by a refined gentleman Governor Peter Mbah.
This is a new government which is about to make its mark and must not allow miscreants and executive rascality in the Local Government Area to smear its image.
There must be better ways of compensating political thugs rather than unleash them on innocent citizens.
The Enugu/Ugwogo/Opi bypass is a gateway and link road to Abuja and other Northern States. The impression travelers take away is negative and bad public relations for this young administration.
Governor Peter Mbah must act fast and save the poor masses from the daily robbery going on on this road.
A stitch in time…..
The governor, who made the statement during a book launch written about his administration, said he was bent on continuing the move so his successor would not need to do it again.
El-Rufai said, “Any bad thing we find, we will remove it so that the next governor does not need to do it again. Watch out till the eleventh hour when we shall quit office, we will continue to sack bad persons and remove bad things.”
In his remarks, the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, described El-Rufai as a fearless, outspoken politician that speaks truth to power.
He donated N20m for the book launch and advised other guests to buy the books and stock them in public and private school libraries in the country.
Apart from Senator Chukwuka Utazi representing Enugu North Senatorial District who openly condemned the recent killings by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Uzo-Uwani nothing has been said or heard about that attack.
Government has also remained mute. The police has not said a word about possible arrest or even condemning the act.
The herdsmen attack on a farm settlement in Opanda-Nimbo as usual claimed several lives.
Because nothing was said or done about the Uzo-Uwani attack, the herdsmen struck again. This time at Okpokwu-Mgbuji community in Isi-Uzo LGA.
Enugu chapter of Ohanaeze condemned the attack describing it as “the latest in the long list of carnage, mayhem, premeditated but unprovoked attacks by Fulani herdsmen in various communities in Enugu State.”
The attack which happened on Sunday, August 1, 2021 left 8 persons dead, including a pregnant womman. Several others were also reported missing.
A statement signed by Prof. Fred Odo Eze, President, and Dcn. Malachy Chuma Ochie, Secretary, read;
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Enugu State unequivocally condemns this attack on the peaceful Mgbuji Community. This deliberate mass murder by these marauding herdsmen cannot be justified by any stretch of the imagination.
“We, therefore, condemn this attack in its totality as barbaric, provocative and a clear assault on the accommodative spirit of Ndi-Enugu State. We can no longer tolerate the intentional decimation of our people by Fulani herdsmen or any other group for that matter; not today, tomorrow or ever.
“This must stop. We, therefore call on all the Security Agencies and other critical stakeholders in the State to urgently identify and bring the culprits to book.”
On his part Senator Utazi captured the scenario as “persistent and routine killings of natives, security agents and migrant farmers in Uzo Uwani LGA lately, and consequently turning the area into a killing field.”
The Senator, like the Ohanaeze, appreciated the efforts of Governor Ugwuanyi, in his containment security policies in the State as a whole.
He however, called on the Local Government Chairman of Uzo Uwani, the Neighbourhood Watchmen, the Forest Guards, the Traditional Rulers and Presidents General of various Town Unions, “to rise up to the occasion in defence of the Local Government Area and it’s various communities, from the unrelenting and marauding AK 47 wielding herdsmen littered at all the nooks and crannies of the area, bearing in mind that eternal vigilance is the price we all must pay for the security of lives and property.”
Sen Utazi used the opportunity of the latest to call on the Enugu State House of Assembly to, as a matter of urgency pass the Southern Governors Forum’s proposed anti open grazing bill into law in Enugu State, to forestall any future herders-farmers clashes in Enugu State, noting and warning that a bleak harvest awaits the public next year as farmers couldn’t farm this year as fear of herders’ attack pervades the whole farming communities in Uzo Uwani LGA and beyond.
EverydayNews calls for a more tactical and radical approach if the lives of the people is of any importance.
A stakeholders meeting to suggest best ways to handle this issue is not out of place.
While the suggested anti open grazing bill is welcome, other local and internal measures must be adopted.
Whatever tactics and approach that has been innplace before now is surely not working and something must be done to stop these killings.
The killings are becoming more regular and even under reported in the media.
Vilaggwrs are living in fear and cannot even access their farms.
This is unacceptable. And it is the duty of all major stakeholders across the state to rise and find a lasting solution with these herders.
A stitch in time…
-
News20 hours ago“Go and Verify”: How Sunday Umeha Is Redefining Representation in Ezeagu/Udi
-
Politics4 days agoMass exodus: Obi, Kwankwaso exit rocks ADC, 18 lawmakers join NDC
-
News1 day ago
Chief Sir Paul Chukwuma Lays His Beloved Sister to Rest
-
Politics2 days agoAnambra Communities Boil As Group Carpets Traditional Rulers Over Zoning
-
News5 days agoAwka Monarchy Tussle: Ndigwe Denounces Claim as Eze Uzu III, Dismisses Social Media Reports
-
News5 days ago
Enugu Govt Disowns Group Accused of Defrauding Traditional Medicine Practitioners
-
News3 days agoEnugu, SSDO advance domestic resource mobilisation for climate responsive budgeting
-
Politics4 days ago2027: Akpabio Moves to Block Ex-Governors from Contesting for Senate President