….…Frowns at multiple taxation, Promises to reconstitute pilgrims board
In line with his campaign promises of giving account of his stewardship to the people of the state every quarter, Governor of Enugu state, Dr Peter Mbah , Saturday, held a town hall with the people of the state .
The event held at the Old Government Lodge, Enugu and tagged ,” Town Hall with Ndi Enugu “, had the theme, ” Governance issues: The Journey so far”. It attracted professional bodies, business community, Students, , the political class ,Religious and Traditional leaders among others.
Speaking at the town hall, Governor Mbah
said the meeting was an affirmation of the document he signed on assumption of office,18 months ago. His words,:” A year ago, I signed a document that literally made me accountable to the people of Enugu state. What we have gathered here to do is an affirmation of that document”.
He recalled that he signed 3 Executive Order on his first day in office, saying, the commitment he made on his first day in office remained”sacred. They are not mere posturing” .
The Governor said his target of growing the Gross Domestic Product ( GDP) of the state from the current $4.4 to $30 billion will be achieved
He highlighted some of the projects his administration had executed and those being executed within his one year and six months in office, which included the construction of 260 Smart Green Schools in each political ward in the state, the construction of 260 Type 2 Primary Health Care Centers in 260 wards in the state, provision of portable water within 180 days of assumption of office, infrastructural development, electricity, tourism development, security, transportation among others.
On water, he explained that the state government had signed a partnership agreement with Watson Nestor company which has injected $100 million to help modernize the water scheme. The Governor disclosed that while the company takes care of technical areas, the state government will take care of the production of water. He disclosed that the company will replace the old pipes, take water to the door steps of the residents and provide meters. Governor Mbah explained that the payment ( water rate)will be 20% less than what residents were spending on purchasing water .
On education, Governor Mbah said they budgeted 1/3 of the state annual budget to education. He assured that they will continue to invest in education and shift from rote learning to experiential learning., so that the children could compete with their counterparts abroad.
He announced that the state government will construct Smart Green senior secondary schools , in the 17Local Government areas of the state. , so that students after their junior secondary can proceed to the Smart senior secondary school. to complete their secondary school education.
On security , the Governor said Enugu State remains the safest for foreign investors and Nigerians to do business, live and come to spend leisure time.
The Governor recounted the huge investments his administration made so far to secure lives and property. He declared that bandits and other criminals have known that the state will never be conducive for their activities anymore.
Governor Mbah said his administration had stopped the absurdity called Monday Sit-at-Home through strategic security planning and funding.
He added that his administration had also stopped the incident of security men being attacked in the state.
The Governor said through this act, his administration had totally recovered the confidence of the people and visitors to their overall security and safety in the state
“As far as the country is concerned, Enugu State remains the most secured and safest state to invest and live in.
“Our security men are always on their best and working tirelessly day and night to make all parts of the state secure for all,” he said.
Governor Mbah said in the past 18 months, the state government had procured 100 Distress Response Squad (DRS) vehicles and mounted high-tech security cameras and other necessary gadgets on them to checkmate insecurity.
He said that the government had installed high-tech security cameras and search lights in various bus stops, junctions of high densely populated areas and intermittently along major highways in the state, which had been linked to a centralized monitoring system.
“The state government built and equipped its newly inaugurated Security Command and Control Centre.
“The Centre hosts the centralised monitoring system that links up all the high-tech security cameras on the roads, bus stops, populated areas and major highways as well as those mounted on the 100 DRS vehicles.
“With huge investment and driving security with latest technology, as found in other developed countries, bandits and other criminals know that Enugu State will never be conducive for them anymore,” he said.
Governor Mbah said there was an ongoing plan to replicate such a security centre and architecture as placing high-tech security cameras and solar-powered streetlights in semi-urban and rural areas and communities throughout the state.
Mbah said that the government was planning to provide more internal security vehicles for the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, the Nigeria Police, Department of Security Services; and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps.
I want to use this opportunity to thank the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police, Department of Security Services and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps for the wonderful security work done in the state.
“It is the sacrifice you have put and your commitment that have continued to make the state the safest in the country,” he said.
The government also spoke on transportation and tourism among others
Fielding questions from the audience, Governor Mbah said the state government will construct massive houses to bring down high house rents collected by House owners. He also said Pilgrims board will be reconstituted soon. He promised huge investments in Tertiary education . He announced that Disability Commission will be inaugurated in 2025.The Governor frowned at multiple taxation, saying his administration was very committed in stopping that. He appealed for support of the people to enable his government deliver it’s promises to Ndi Enugu.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama