The Enugu State Good Governance Initiative (ESGGI), has given a pat on the back to the Chairmen of the Aninri and Awgu Local Government Councils of Enugu State on their efforts to develop the grassroots.
The Good Governance, a Non Governmental Organization, comprising the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Enugu State, made the commendation after an on the spot assessment of some project initiated and implemented by the councils.
While at Aninri LGA, the chairman, Chief Benneth Ajah says his administration’s priority would remain putting in place, projects that have direct impact on the lives of the people.
Chief Ajah gave the assurance while taking the team of the Enugu state good governance team round some of the projects undertaken by his administration.
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While conducting the team round some of the projects on the ground, the council boss promised that the administration would not abandon any project initiated by his administration.
“We shall continue to introduce more developmental activities that could restore the people’s confidence in the government, ” he said.
Some of the projects were predominantly educational and health facilities, including primary school blocks, completed and on-goung, as well as a resuscitated health centre.
At the Ekoli Okpanku Health Centre which the team gathered was hitherto dilapidated and abandoned, it was observed that on return to functionality, forty pregnant women are currently undergoing maternity at the center.
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On enquiry to appreciate more of the centre’s needs, the council chairman discovered that there were lack mibility at the center and announced immediate procurement of a motorcycle, five fans and an eletricity generating set for the center.
According to him: “The health of the people is paramount while pursuing their welfare and security which is the essence of government. “
Still on education, Chief Ajah explained that he had engaged one hundred and fifty-six council teachers.
“With the employment of these teachers full teaching activities have returned to schools; so, I want the state government to effect full employment for them so that they will not be laid off at the end of my administration, ” Ajah said.
He further noted that the council had cassava- ethanol farm, an initiative of the Federal Government, which he said had begun to be part of the economic empowerment of the people of the local government area.
At Awgu local government area, some of the project sites visited by the good governance team were, the ICT/Administrative block, council chairman’s lodge, 1.6 kilometer perimeter fencing of the NYSC orientation camp, Awgu and the Orie Awgu market with lockups.
Others include the 2.4- kilometer Onolieze road linking the Enugu-PortHarcourt expressway, with 1.4km asphalted, while the Awa-Iyido bridge at mgbidi which connects to Nkwe, Ezere and other communities on that axis was nearing completion.
In addition to a customary court at Nkwe which had been completed and handed over.
The team also observed that the Council’s rural electrification project has connected the six council wards in Awgu South constituency comprising 23 communities, among other projects witnessed by the good governance team.
The chairman of Awgu local government area, Honourable Pedro Nwankwo said no community had been left untouched with a project considered of the best value to each area.
Nwankwo noted that his administration would continue to strive towards the completion of the ongoing projects to ensure the realisation of its infrastructural target.
In their separate remarks, leaders of the Enugu state good governance team; the state chairman of NLC, Comrade Fabian Nwigbo, NUJ Chairman, Comrade Sam Udekwe and Onyebuchi Igboke of the CSO, expressed satisfaction with the development footprint left by the council chairmen while calling for intensified efforts to further spark up the people’s confidence in the government.
They explained that the initiative which was designed to promote grassroots development was in line with their mandate of pursuing the democratic benefits of governance,
”We are not here to witch-hunt anybody but as the people’s representatives we are talking for them in pursuit of their overall interest.
“As we relay the information on the individual performances of the chairmen, they will be able to compare notes and forge ahead.
” At the end of the exercise, we are going to call the council chairmen together and give each person an award of good governance in their respective areas of excellence as deserved”, the team leaders submitted.
