Ahead of the 2023 general elections in the country, the Enugu State governorship flagbearer of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Barr. Peter Mbah has given further insight into his administration’s intention to transform the state through innovation and private-sector driven investments, stressing that such unprecedented plans are real and attainable.
Mbah, during his unscheduled visits to Udi, Oji River and Awgu local government PDP monthly meetings
said he had well-thought-out programmes on how to attract investments to the state, saying Enugu economy will be driven by public-private partnership through robust policies that will be attractive to investors.
“We are ready for the next phase of our development. On Thursday we presented our manifesto to you, and the dividends of 23 years of your investments are all there.
“We will attract investors to our state by creating a business friendly and attractive environment for them. We have our well-thought-out plan to engage our youths and women by providing jobs for them. We will do this through special agro-allied industrialised zones that will be cited in all the 3 senatorial districts of the state.
“When you go through our manifesto; our social contract with you, you’ll see that your investment is due for returns. Our micro, small and medium businesses will be grown up by making available seed capital for our youths. We’ll equally provide those facilities, infrastructure and assistance needed by our farmers so that they no longer dwell in subsistence farming.
“The special agro-allied processing zones will increase agricultural produce, encourage farming, and grow our agricultural capacity 5-fold in the state. This is part of how we’ll move our state from public to private sector-driven economy. Our youth will be transformed into productive assets by creating jobs for them,” Mbah assured.
The accomplished technocrat and industrialist who insisted that his emergence was not by accident but the result of a concerted effort to throw up competent hands who could reinvent the state, further noted that his manifesto for the state will cater for the needs of the citizens and bridge the gap between the poor and the rich.
“You have made 23 years investment since 1999 and what you saw on Thursday when we presented our manifesto was to give you promissory note that you can take to the bank. Our party is prepared and has reinvented itself by asking us to go and represent you at the Lion Building in 2023. All we have presented was well designed, and we are going to deliver on those promises. In our manifesto, the dividends of 23 years are all contained there.
“We have plans to see that you can access health facilities with medics, including primary healthcare, maternal healthcare both in urban and rural areas,” he further added.
Addressing the mammoth crowd on while they should vote for him and all the PDP candidates in the state, the governorship hopeful said the present time in Nigeria demands someone with competence, capacity and uncommon political will to trigger unprecedented transformation in the state.
He enjoined his supporters to embark on door-to-door campaign, sensitizing the electorates on his lofty programmes for them, adding that the people cannot afford to allow themselves to be used for experiment by inexperienced and accidental candidates who have nothing to offer the people.
Speaking earlier at the Udi local government party office, the Chairman of the council area, Hon. Philip Oko said the people of the local government had no doubt in the capacity of the oil and gas mogul to give the state a new status, adding that they were ready with their voter’s cards to give him a resounding victory in the polls.
According to him, “On 13th of this month, we were all witnesses when you unveiled one of the best manifestos I have ever seen for over 30 years of my politics. Your dexterity in presentation shows that it’s your brain-child. What is intimidating to us was when you told us to hang your manifesto as our almanac.
“We know that with your private sector experiences, you will transform the state. We are already prepared in Udi for you. Udi local government area is going to give votes that will surprise the people.”
On his part, the chairman of Oji River council area, Hon. Chinedu Onyeagba said the local government will vote for all PDP candidates in the elections, maintaining that Oji River has always been beneficiary of the PDP.
“You will see that we have a huge population. Oji River is PDP and PDP is Oji River. We are giving the PDP all our support,” he said.
Similarly, the chairman of Awgu local government area, Hon. Pedro Nwankwo appreciated the state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for the gift of Mbah to the people of Enugu State, insisting the PDP candidate is the best thing that had happened to the state in recent times.
He further assured that the people of the council area had resolved to give Mbah and his running mate massive votes that’ll guarantee them victory.
According to him, “As you can see, our people are happy with you and they said wherever you are going, they’ll follow you. Be rest assured that Awgu votes are for you in 2023. We are happy with your candidacy.”
