BY PETRUS OBI
Stones, pebbles were thrown at Governor Peter Mbah after his 100 days in Office. While commissioning of projects were being celebrated in some States, Enugu appeared to be left out. Governor Mbah was accused of not having done enough in his first 100 days.
He replied in his broadcast to the people.
He said: “For those who expected commissioning of hurriedly and haphazardly executed jobs, this journey is not the quick dash of a 100-meter race but a marathon. Those who know the stuff with which superstructures are built will know that we have spent our first 100 days preparing the enduring foundation of all the promises we made to our people….”
Today the hands that threw stones, the voices of criticism appear to have been drowned.
Good Morning Mr. Governor takes a look at just one week of what is happening in Enugu State.
For workers in Enugu State October 24, 2024 would remain memorable for a long time to come. It was the day Governor Peter Mbah set the pace by approving N80,000 minimum wage for the state’s work force, including local government workers.
It wasn’t just the highest amount so far announced, but the first in the South East. He opened the doors as Anambra and Ebonyi joined the queue announcing N70,000 and N75,000 respectively.
For a government that has set a development target that is earth shaking, the announcement left many dumbfounded.
But the governor says it’s a direct link between the workforce and his administration’s vision of growing the state’s economy from $4.4bn to $30bn.
The new minimum wage covers all state employees, primary school teachers, and local government workers, he said.
Organised labour described the wage as unprecedented, as it was the first time that Enugu workers would be earning above the national minimum wage.
The wild celebrations by a shocked workforce was followed almost immediately by the Flag-off of 78.85km of multiple Roads in Nkanu East and West LGAs.
The projects include 9.30km Amodu-Akpugo Road, 5km Amagu-Atakwu-Akegbe Ugwu-Akpasha Road, and 3.12km Obuofia-Obeagu-Akegbe Ugwu Road totaling 17.32km.
Also, at Nara in Nkanu East LGA, the governor flagged-off the construction of the 12.96km Nomeh-Mburubu-Nara Road, 7km Nomeh-Oduma Road, 7.20km Mburubu-Nkereffi Road, 9km Nara-Nkerefi Road, 9.7km Amagunze-Ihuokpara-Ugbawka Road, 8.67km Akpawfu-Akpugo-Amagunze Road with a spur to Umuoma Onicha, and 6.90km Isiogbo Nara-Isu Road, all totalling 61.43km.
Speaking, Mbah said, “In the last few days, we have flagged off about 90km of roads and bridges across these various local governments. Today, we are here to again perform this all important event of the flag off. What you see here at this location may just be project signages indicating a few kilometres of road, but in actual terms, we are here to flag-off the construction of about 90km of roads in both Nkanu East and Nkanu West. But we cannot just go to all the roads one after the other.
The roads connect Nkanu East to the West, Aninri LGA, and Ebonyi State.
Not done with his aggressive road projects Gov Mbah Flaged-off Construction of 44km Amah-Eke–Oghe- Iwolo-Olo-Umulokpa Roads.
The 44.8km Amah-Eke–Oghe- Iwolo-Olo-Umulokpa Road, traverses the Udi, Ezeagu and Uzo-Uwani Local Government Areas (LGAs) and also with a spur from Akama Oghe to Aguobuowa, to open the economic corridors of the state.
Mbah said; “What you see is asphalt and well-paved road that we will have here, but what I see when I do this flag-off or when I go for commissioning is a $30bn economy. I am also seeing the eradication of poverty. I am seeing an enhanced human welfare and capital development. These are essentially what good roads do for you beyond ease of movement and reduction in travel time.”
The next was the big flag-off dualization of 43.7 Penoks-Abakpa Nike-Opi-Nsukka Road with streetlights.
The project is to be completed in just 18-months.
“In the build-up to the election and in my acceptance speech after my election, we made a pledge that we are going to dualise the Penoks-Abakpa-Ugwogo-Opi-Nsukka Road because . we realised from the outset that if we had to grow this economy to an exponential height, no section of this state should be left behind, more so an economic hub like Nsukka Zone. So, all we are doing here today is connecting those dots,” he said.
He also noted that his administration’s grassroot-based development and economic model placed the Enugu North Zone at an advantage.
“We are doing projects based on electoral wards. Guess who are the greatest beneficiaries of this model? It is the Nsukka zone. You have 102 electoral wards. That means you will end up with 102 smart schools, 102 Type 2 Primary Healthcare Centres, over 1,000km of roads based since we are additionally going to do at least 10km of roads per ward,” he remarked.
Shocked traditional ruler of Edem-Ani and Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Samuel Asadu, said, “The people of Nsukka cultural zone and Enugu North Senatorial District never imagined the possibility of this life-time project. The only way we can pay you back is that you do not need to come to campaign here for your second tenure because we are all going to do that for you. You are Godsent to the people of Nsukka, Enugu State and Nigeria at large.”
For the Deputy Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Ezeani Ezenta, noted that the governor had shut the mouths of naysayers.
“I feel emotional because a lot of things were said during the election. But today, by your good work, you have proved yourself even more Nsukka than any other Nsukka man,” he emphasised.
On his part, former Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Chief Okechukwu Itanyi, described the project as “gigantic, huge, unbelievable and marvelous,” noting that it would open Nsukka Zone and the state to the world.
“This is a legacy project. Your name will never die. Your spirit shall never die. We will continue to give you support,” he added.
Other speakers, including the Chairman of Nsukka Nsukka LGA, Hon. Jude Asogwa, former Secretaries to the State Government, Dr. Dan Shere and Prof. Simon Ortuanya, among others extolled the initiative.
Late Musician Okezie Mba, popularly known as Igbo-Jah
Governor Peter Mbah was not done as he announced the award of scholarship up to university level to the three children of the deceased musician. While also taking charge of the health of his sick wife, the governor has also taken over the welfare of the children.
Haba Mr. Governor isn’t this pace “too fast’ for some of us?
Are there issues around your community you would want to bring to the attention of the Governor?Who is oppressing and who is being oppressed in your area?Are there government projects going on in your area that needs commendation? Are there others that need government attention?There is no limit to your opinion.
NB:
Keep a date with Everydaynewsngr.net every Monday for Good Morning Mr Governor.Contact us on WhatsApp +2348035494795, or email – petrusobi@gmail.com, tatan4us@yahoo.co.uk everydaynews031@gmail.comFollow us onTwitter : @everydaynews031 Facebook : EverydaynewsNgr
