Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah says his administration is working tirelessly to ensuring that dividends of democracy get to the people of the state through massive developments in all sectors of governance.
He disclosed that his administration will increase Agricultural production in the 17 Local Government Areas of the state to boost food supply, adding that the state will be working with private sectors and already,300,000 hectares of land had been secured for commercial farming in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of the state
Governor Mbah made that known on Saturday during a Town Hall meeting on the theme; “issues of governance; the journey so far”, organised for representatives of CSOs, women, students,, youths, business owners, professional associations, others, at the old government lodge,Enugu.
Pix: Gov Mbah’ (3rd L)
Speaking on education, Governor Mbah said his administration identified education as the strongest weapon to fight poverty, and that was why they were building Smart Schools across the 260 political wards of the state
“We are currently constructing the Smart schools in 260 wards .We have awarded the contract in 135 wards. Work is ongoing,. Before the end of next month, 125 remaining wards will be awarded. By September, 2025, the Smart schools will be operational.
“Our children will now be using tablets to study and teachers will be using smart boards to teach while the students would learn about artificial intelligence, robotics and others that will make them technological inclined,” Mbah’ said.
He added that there will be 12 years of compulsory and free education for children between ages 3 to 12 in Smart school and the children were going to be equipped with digital tools such as Tablets and desktop computers.
The Governor also disclosed that plans were underway for the establishment of a Centre for Experiential Learning and Innovations for prospective smart school teachers, where they will be trained on Information Communication System, Mechatronics, Argument and virtual reality.
According to him, with Mechatronics system, a teacher can handle pupils in different locations . He added that the state Government will also Intervene in Secondary and Tertiary institutions.
Piv- Gov. Mbah
On electricity, Governor Mbah said, “Electricity being the major infrastructural requirement for private sector to thrive, we took advantage when the Federal Government removed it from exclusive list to concurrent list by establishing Enugu State Electricity Commission.
On health, Governor Mbah’ said his administration was building level two Primary Health Centres across the 260 wards to reduce infant and maternal mortality in the state.
He added that the state government had already awarded 30 contracts for the health centres and about to award 100 more.
Governor Mbah disclosed that the state government will increase the quota of students to be admitted in the schools of nursing, saying, “We are going to move to 3,000 before the end of the year. We are constructing hostels and classrooms in our schools of Nursing to produce at least 3,000 Nurses a year “, he said.
On road construction, Governor Mbah’ said his administration promised to construct 1,250 km roads annually and massive road construction is ongoing in different parts of the state.
Pix-NAWOJ members(Women Journalists)
On security, the Governor said his administration had done a lot to tackle issues of insecurity. He announced that the State Governor will in few weeks tim commission the first ever Command and Control center, his administration constructed.
On workers’ welfare, Governor Mbah said he will continue payment of wage awards to state workers until committee on new minimum wage concludes its work.
He said his administration would prioritise workers’ welfare, and create values that would help workers to thrive.
n” Until new minimum wage is concluded, we will continue to pay wage award,” Mbah assures
On the welfare of pensioners, Governor Mbah said they were on it, “Today we are working seriously to clear that of primary school teachers and Local Government workers. “he said.
On issues of People Living with Disability Acts, Governor Mbah’ said , the state Government was already working with the Enugu state. House of Assembly to domesticate the National Disability Acts , once that is done , they will set up a commission for the People living with Disability.
Fielding question on taxation, Governor Mbah said his administration did not increase tax rate, but only expanded the tax net with formidable commitment to enforcing the already existing tax laws.
On Agriculture, the Governor said the state Government was working tirelessly to increase food production in the 17 Local Government Areas of the state.
On water , the Governor recalled his promise to provide portable water for the people within his 180 days in office. He said when they came into power, less than 5 million liters of water was being generated, but today, water generation has increased to 120 million liters per day.
He said the problem they were having in the provision of portable water was distribution. and they were working day and night to make sure they get water to the last man
The Governor warned tanker drivers to desist from sabotaging government’s efforts on the water project. He vowed that anyone caught will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
On youths empowerment, the Governor said they were working hard to empower the youths, adding that they have a program where the state government trains 40,000 youths on ICT and 10,000 youths on different skills.
Pix- NAWOJ membe
Participants who spoke at the event which well attended, commended Governor Mbah’ for his good governance in the state and urged him to implement fully, his campaign promises with special attention to poverty eradication and general welfare of the people..
The town hall meeting was attended by. representatives of the Civil Society Organisations, women, student’s, youth, business owners, traders, transport unions ,People Living with Disabilities, Professional Associations, among others
Author: Maureen Ikpeama
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Author: Maureen Ikpeama