Category: News

Members of the organised private sector in Enugu State under the auspices of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA) have extolled the state governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, over what it described as evident milestones in the areas of security, infrastructure, and investment-friendly environment since he assumed office in the past eight months.

They gave the commendation during a courtesy visit to the governor at the Government House, Enugu, on Monday, saying the turnaround of the state had boosted their confidence to invest more in the state.

Speaking on behalf of the members, the Chairman of ECCIMA Board of Trustees and CEO of Roban Stores, Sir Rob Anwatu, said: “We note with delight your painstaking efforts, which have positively impacted the state in areas of security, infrastructure, education, and improved economy growth.”

The entrepreneurs, who informed the governor that they had fixed the 2024 international trade fair for April, said that ECCIMA was deliberate in its choice of theme of the fair, which is “Promoting Made in Nigeria Products for Global Competitiveness” as a way to re-emphasise the importance of policy reforms that would support the growth of SMEs towards achieving a self-sufficient, productive and export-based economy.

ECCIMA added that the fair would witness a large turnout of both local and foreign investors and feature exhibition of new products, prototypes, innovations and research findings from the state for commercialisation.

The body, which equally seized the opportunity of the visit to introduce the newly elected executive council led by the CEO of Oaklands Hotel, Enugu, Sir Odeiga Jideonwo, as the president, assured the governor of its total support in his quest to grow the state’s economy from $4.4bn to $30bn.

Responding, Governor Mbah, who congratulated the new executive council for their victory, reiterated the administration’s commitment to work with the private sector by providing the right infrastructure, support and environment for them to thrive in the state.

He said his government was working hard to de-risk investment and sustain the peace and security presently enjoyed.

“Because we recognise that the vision we have to grow this economy from the current levels of $4.4b to $30b will only happen through private sector investment, we have to continually engage with the private sector to understand how we can scale up their business and also create environment for those who have not taken advantage of the friendly business environment of Enugu to come in and participate here,” the governor maintained.

He said despite Enugu’s high rating in terms of security of lives and property, his administration would not rest on its oars in that regard.

“As you already know and alluded to, Enugu is today the most secured and safe state to do business and to live in. But we are not resting on our oars. We understand that we are going to continue to double down and to re-dedicate ourselves to ensure that the state sustains the security measures we have put in place,” he concluded.

The Enugu State Government has constituted a standing committee for property and land reconciliation and compensation with the mandate to review all title documents, construction approvals, double and wrongful allocations and double certificates of occupancy, and evaluate compensations in respect of government’s acquired lands, among other functions.

This was even as residents of the state welcomed the development as timely and commendable, insisting that the governor has begun to restore hope, justice and confidence in government.

Inaugurating the committee over the weekend in Enugu, the state governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, charged its members to be resolute, fair, transparent and bring to bear their experiences and integrity which were the conditions precedent for their selection.

The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), who will also serve as Chairman of the committee, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said the terms of reference of the committee as spelt out should be implemented to the letter, adding that the procedures adopted must pass the tests of integrity, accountability, traceability, transparency, and fairness to all parties regardless of status.

The committee known as Inter-Ministerial Committee for Property/Land Reconciliation and Compensation in Enugu State is saddled with the responsibilities of verifying all title documents relating to lands and property in any designated area assigned for construction; verifying all construction approvals and stages of construction; reconciling all issues of double allocations, wrongful allocation, double certificates of occupancy; evaluation and payment of compensations in respect of any acquisition; resolving issues of acquisition and recommending amount of compensation to be paid, and verifying allocations and payment made as a result of the allocations.

According to the governor, the committee’s assignment commences immediately with the Office of the Secretary to the State Government as the Secretariat for all correspondence, complaints and enquiries.

Part of the functions of the committee is to also verify construction within the Enugu International Conference Centre (ICC) and other government’s facilities.

Responding to their inauguration, a member of the committee who doubles as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, said the committee would not disappoint the public in the discharge of its duties as it would ensure social equity and justice, adding that all issues would be treated with utmost sense of responsibility.

“We accept it with every sense of responsibility, and we understand how sensitive it is. We understand that if this committee does its work well, that the members of the state that have been affected will heave a sigh of relief because all their interests, whatever be their concerns, whatever be their fears when channelled through this committee will be fully addressed; addressed from the point of social equity; addressed from the point of the rule of law; addressed from the magnanimity of a father to do good to his household.”

While appreciating the governor for trusting the committee with such responsibility, Dr. Udeh said Governor Mbah had been playing the role of a compassionate father with the interests of everyone in the state accommodated, saying “The Governor is the father of the state, Enugu State is the household. Every person in this state has been considered in envisioning the development that His Excellency is pursuing through different agencies of this government”.

He further called on any member of the public who is aggrieved to channel its grievance to the committee, assuring that justice would be done within time. “It is on that note that we invite the members of the public that may feel agrieved or affected by this to please come forward; come forward with genuine cases, genuine concerns, genuine claims, and through this committee the administration of Dr. Peter Mbah will address them because it is for the general good”.

Other members of the committee include the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Gerald Otiji, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Project Development and Implementation, Arc. Uchenna Nwatu, the State Acting Surveyor General, Mr. Justus Chime, a representative of Estate/Valuation Department, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Legal and Inter-Ministerial Matters who also doubles as Secretary of the Committee, Barr. Okonkwo Juliet.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has described as untrue reports that its staff was beaten to pulp by voters in Enugu State because he was caught with pre-filled result sheets for the rerun election held yesterday.

In a short statement on INEC’s verified X handle, the commission said the individual was unknown to them.

The statement titled FAKE NEWS ALERT reads:

“Our attention has been drawn to some fake narratives circulating on the social media that a certain employee of the Commission was caught in Enugu State with a pre-filled result sheet for the rerun election held today.

“However, the said individual is not an employee of INEC. He is unknown to the Commission. The public should disregard the report.”

Recall that according to a video which went viral on social media, the man who identified himself as Mr. Ronald Ugwudani from Igboetiti LGA said the pre-filled result sheet was given to him from the local government by INEC.

Chetanne Chinelo, Enugu

Following the announcement and subsequent presentation of award to Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State as the Governor of the Year by New Telegraph Newspaper at the weekend, the Enugu State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kingsley Tochi Udeh, Esq., has congratulated Mbah on the feat.

In a statement signed by Udeh and made available to Pacesetter, he described the recognition as one that was “well deserved”.

He noted that Gov. Mbah had demonstrated courage to deliver on his campaign promises to the people of Enugu State.

The statement reads in full:

“Congratulations Your Excellency on your well deserved award as the Governor of the Year, in recognition of your outstanding achievements in office, especially in restoring security, taking back control from vicious non-state actors, and energizing the polity towards exponential economic growth and societal greatness.

“You have expectedly demonstrated vision, courage and zeal to deliver on Your Excellency’s promises from the very first day. The result is there for all to see, and is receiving due recognition within this short period of time.

“I am proud to serve you and with you!

“Bravo!”

Dr. Kingsley Tochi Udeh, Esq.
Hon. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice,
Enugu State.

…Dedicates award to team, security agencies

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has bagged the New Telegraph Governor of the Year Award for his courage in leadership in ending the illegal sit-at-home order and restoring security and stability to the South East state.

This was even as the governor dedicated the award to members of his team and all the security agencies in the state, saying he reasoned that his vision to grow the state’s economy could be a pipe dream unless he ensured a secure and tranquil environment for business and investment to thrive.

Presenting the Award amid glitz and glamour at a well attended ceremony in Lagos at the weekend, the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited, Ayodele Aminu, commended Mbah for arresting within a very short period the debilitating Monday sit-at-home, and the activities of Unknown Gunmen, and other forms of insecurity that had virtually crippled the state’s economy and cost many lives and property.

“We recall your ambitious target of advancing the state from a $4.4 billion to $30 billion economy. But as you rightly acknowledged upon assumption of office, you cannot achieve these lofty dreams in a state bogged down by insecurity, occasioned by stay-at-home enforcers. This informed your decision to bring the sit-at-home order in the state to and end, effective from June 5, 2023.

“Today, we note that the economic and social landscapes of Enugu State have become positively transformed as the average citizen can go about their normal businesses without any fear of intimidation.

“The fact that you achieved this feat within such a short time is an eloquent testimony of your administrative acumen and love for the people of Enugu State.

“In view of the foregoing and the impact you’ve made in the state to improve the living standard of residents, we are pleased to confer on you the Governor of the Year (Courage in Leadership) Award.”

Meanwhile, speaking with newsmen at the event, Governor Mbah emphasised that by the award, which came early in his government, he and his team had been further commissioned to work harder and do more to better the lots of the state and its people.

“I am particularly humbled that our modest efforts in a very short time of our journey towards Enugu’s greatness is being noticed and that it is already receiving accolades. So I am grateful to the organisers, the Board, the Management and staff of the New Telegraph.

“We recognised when we assumed office that if we are to achieve the exponential growth we have proposed to our people, we must address the issue of insecurity.

“So, we immediately set forth at dawn and identified insecurity as the biggest elephant in the room; we mobilised the security agencies with my committed team; and through the tireless efforts of these security agents, today we are living in a peaceful and tranquil environment where we can live, work, and do business.

“For me, this award would not have been possible without my committed team and members of the security agencies. Therefore, I dedicate this award to my team and the members of security agencies, who, through their efforts, have been able to secure a peaceful and tranquil Enugu State”, he said.

Following the rerun of election slated to hold in some parts of the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday, 3rd February, 2024, the Enugu State government has postponed the promotion examination scheduled for the same day.

The Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission, Mr. Robinson Odo mni, made the announcement on Friday in his office in Enugu. According to him, the said interview exercise for workers due for promotion would however continue as the date does not clash with the by-elections.

The Chairman further said that the new date for the examination shall now be on Saturday, 10th February.

While regretting the postponement, he urged civil servants and other workers in the state to use the opportunity to exercise their franchise by voting for the right candidates that would align with the interest of the state to bring good governance to the people.

“We have just postponed the Civil Service Commission Examination known as promotion examination for workers in Enugu State initially scheduled to hold tomorrow for two reasons; to allow the peaceful conduct of the bye-elections in some parts of our state slated by the INEC, and to also afford workers the opportunity to exercise their franchise.

“The new date for the conduct of the promotion examination is now 10th February, 2024. That is Saturday. However, the interview exercise will continue as the date does not in anyway clash with the elections.

“I want to urge our workers to conduct themselves, steer clear of violence and vote for only the right candidates whose interests align with the overall interest of our people,” he added.