…as Ogui Nike pledges support, massive mobilisation
By Prince Ejeh Josh
In his resolve to engage more youths in entrepreneurship, address insecurity, create alternative means of generating revenues, and make the state attractive for both foreign direct and local investments, the Enugu State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Peter Mbah has vowed to create thousands of jobs through government-enabled private-sector-driven economy that will lead to the establishment of industries in the three senatorial zones.
This is even as the governorship flag-bearer promised to resuscitate the defunct Hotel Presidential, complete the international conference centre which has the potential of generating billion of naira every year, explore other dormant assets for additional internally generated revenue, and address infrastructural deficits through his outstanding plans for urban renewal in the state.
Mbah said this on Tuesday while responding to a list of demands presented to him by Ogui Nike people at well attended town-hall meetings which held at Umunevo and Ōwo, headquarters of Enugu North South and Enugu North Central Development Centres, respectively, in Enugu North local government area of the state.
While assuring that his administration, if elected in 2023, will activate unprecedented development that will speed up the state’s gross domestic product (GDP), address growing insecurity and socio-economic crises by shielding the state from the existential threats being faced by the nation, Mbah said his commitment to serve the people and leave exemplary legacies in the annals of history for a prosperous Enugu State were his rationale for seeking office.
According to him, availability of infrastructures is one of the key factors that investors always consider in a state before bringing down their businesses, stressing that those basic amenities that improve the standard of living such as pipe-borne water, standard healthcare facilities, quality and improved education, responsive security architecture and service roads will be taken for granted by the people during his administration.
Highlighting how his government intended to address urban slums and restore the state’s prestigious pride of place as the headquarters of former Eastern Nigeria Region, and command base of the South East zone, the industrialist maintained that more dual-carriage way, flyovers, tunnels, and other means of transportation that will ease traffic will be factored in by his administration.
He further re-echoed his commitment to wage war against poverty, insecurity and unemployment, promising that his government will be driven by justice, equity and fairness in resource allocation, land tenure administration, and other grievances the people had raised.
The governorship hopeful, who appreciated the communities for coming out in large numbers, endorsing his candidacy and pledging to give him all their votes at the polls, reaffirmed faith in his commitment to run inclusive governance.
Speaking earlier, the spokespersons of the development centres, who included professionals, traders, women and youths groups, interest groups, religious bodies, among others, pledged their total support for the PDP gubernatorial flagbearer, saying he had presented the best manifesto in the country.
Various speakers that represented different interest groups disclosed that they’re thrilled by Mbah’s remarkable accomplishments in the private sector, adding that he was the only candidate with a genuine source of living who does not depend on politics to feed unlike many others.
In their welcome remarks, the administrators of the development centres, Hon. Ezike Fortune, Hon. Chinedu Onyerere, council chairmen, Hon. Emeka Onueze, and member representing Enugu North constituency at the House of Assembly, Hon. Ibenaku Onoh, said they were glad God had answered Enugu’s prayer through the candidature of Mbah whom they described as the most prepared and most qualified to lead the state in the forthcoming election.
While speaking on behalf of Umunevo, Onu-Asata, New Layout and Ogui Township political wards, Hon. Gabriel Agbo commended the initiative behind the town-hall meetings, saying it’s the first it’s happening in their political clime.
He noted that Mbah’s robust and comprehensive manifesto had given them hope of a new state with economic prosperity, social justice and inclusiveness, while further calling for urban renewal and massive infrastructure in the capital city.
On their part, Hon. Ikechukwu Agbo, Mrs. Helen Nnamani, Mrs. Okonkwo Ngwu, Barr. Chinulu Edeh, Hon. Friday Okeke appealed to Mbah to create new industries that will keep their children engaged, especially the graduates among them who are seeking for jobs.
Speaking at Ōwo in Premiere Layout, Enugu North Central Development Centre, the Vice Chairman, Premier Layout Residents Association, Mr. Obiora Ugwu, Chief Paul Anike, Mrs Bene Ugwu, Hon. Ebenezer Ngwu, Barr. Emeka Edeh among others, called on the soon-to-be governor of the state to revisit the mode of environmental sanitation in the state, fix water supply, build new primary schools, including technical schools for skills acquisition and vocational training of their children, provide new access roads and tap into the dormant huge mineral deposits across the state for economic growth.
