Enugu State Governor ,Dr. Peter Mbah has charged newly elected Local Government Chairmen, their Deputies and wards Councillors to key into the developmental agenda of the state Government, monitor projects sited in their areas and hold the contractors accountable for quality and timeliness..
He also tasked the officials to collaborate with the state government in the areas of health, education and agriculture, noting that ” health and basic education are primary responsibilities of the Local Government ” and what the state was doing was “an intervention”.
Pix-: Gov Mbah (3rd L)
He gave the charge Wednesday , at the “Onboarding of Councillors on State Project management team for Smart Green schools and Primary Health Care,” organized by the State Government at the Old Government Lodge , Enugu.
Pix: Gov Peter Mbah
The Governor told them to solve social and economic problem in various localities” He urged them to take ownership of the Smart schools, Primary Healthcare Centers , Smart Agricultural settlement and other projects ( both operational and those under construction) in their various wards ,adding that ” money is not the problem but contractors”.
The Governor said the 260 Smart Green Schools and 260 Type 2 Primary Healthcare Centres being constructed in all the 260 electoral wards were very key to the state’s economic growth.He announced that the Smart schools will be ready by February, 2025.
Pix-: SSG ,Prof Onyia(L) and Gov Mbah (R)
“The Smart Schools are about transformation. We are expecting that all the 260 structures will be standing latest by February 2025. By September 2025, every child in Enugu State should have access to Smart Green Schools.
So, you cannot know that these transformative projects are coming to your ward or LGA as a councillor, chairman, or deputy chairman and afford not to take ownership of them or hold the contractors to account. You all have a duty. We have to see ourselves as trustees holding our future in trust for our offspring and for the generations ahead,” he said.
Pix’ Participants
On economic growth, Governor Mbah urged the Chairmen and Councillors to be productive and economic growth. He said his administration’s target to grow the State’s economy from N4.4bn to N30bn would not come from the state capital, but from the various 17 LGAs and 260 wards.
“We want to make Enugu State the premier destination for business, investment, tourism, and living. But it is not going to happen simply because we wish it to happen. And it will not happen by accident. We have to be intentional.
Pix-: SSG, Prof Chidiebere Onyia
So, we are expecting that you are going to attract industries in your various LGAs. We are expecting that you will come up with your own ideas in industrialising your LGAs. Those investments that you think you want to scale up to the state, we are ready and open for business,” he said.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Chidiebere Onyia said the state government was committed to ensuring that the projects being executed were of desired standard., adding that poorly performing contractors had their contractors terminated .
Pix-: Dr. Onyishi
Director of Experiential Learning, Enugu Smart Green Schools and Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Dr. Chinyere Onyishi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Mike Ogbuekwe spoke on their activities among others
Speaking with newsmen, Councillor representing Amafor Ugbawka Ward, Hon. Francis Nwankwo,
Hon Theresa Ifeanyichukwu, representing Oji River Urban Ward 3, and Anene Nnaji of Mbu Ward 2, commended the State Government for organizing the programme saying they had been better enlightened about the projects and their roles as Councillors than before .
Pix: Participants
On his part, Hon Anene Nnaji said, “I learnt a lot of things, starting from the resource persons that spoke in regard to the smart schools. On our own side, as Councillors, we will take ownership of the Smart Schools and numerous projects in our different wards, we will ensure j the good work of the governor is adequately protected. We will make sure we will the projects that have come to change our story and the narratives.”
Pix: Participants
Hon. Theresa Ifeanyichukwu, of Oji River Urban ward 3 said, ” Now that we have been authorised, my role is to supervise the contractors and monitor their work. I will not leave the work for the contractors alone.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama