A Non-Governmental Organization, Leadership Entrepreneurship and Advocacy Network (LEAD Network Africa), says the era of non-state actors giving directive on sit-at-home and getting compliance is gone forever in Enugu State.
Executive Director of LEAD Network Africa, Chukwuma Okenwa, stated this in a chat with newsmen on Tuesday in Enugu.
Okenwa spoke on Enugu Governor’s move to end Mondays sit-at-home order in the state.
He said that Governor Peter Mbah-led administration had started well by stopping the sit-at-home eating up the socio-economic well being of the state and her people.
He said: “I see the move by the Mbah-led administration as a step in the right direction towards ending the socio-economic impact of the sit-at-home order imposed by non-state actors in Enugu State.”
He said that as the Executive Governor, it was reasonably expected that he takes a position that favours the course of the good people of Enugu State.
The executive director said that Mbah had the powers to direct the public on what to do.
“The era of letting non-state actors to call the shots is gone forever; and the state must now be positioned to advance economically and otherwise,” Okenwa said.
On the level of compliance, Okenwa said people’s initial hesitancy and foot-dragging to resume full socio-economic activities as well as work “is to first ascertain the readiness of the state government to protect them”.
He said, “I am happy, there was no sad incident yesterday (Monday) and what that means is that next Monday many more indigenes will have more confidence to move about their businesses.
“It is a work in progress and it is just great that the process to end the sit-at-home has started in earnest.
“As a matter of fact the state government needs to build more on the current ideals by engaging traders and various labour platforms this week to assure them of the security architecture that is in place to ensure their safety.
“With that the people will be ready to partner more with the government to achieve greater results,” he said.
Okenwa also encouraged the residents of the state to build confidence with and partner the state government rather than with non-state actors who do not have the interest of the state at heart.
“The people of Enugu State must be resolved to collectively help to boost the economy of the state by ensuring that the first day of business/work activities is restarted in the state.
“Enugu State cannot afford to continue losing out economically due to sit-at-home order; and not in a precarious economy as is currently witnessed in the entire country,” he said.