DEVELOPMENTAL STRIDES OF GOVERNOR SULLIVAN CHIME’S ADMINISTRATION IN ENUGU STATE: RURAL DEVELOPMENT [By Afam Okereke]

One of the main thrust of the Administration of Governor Chime in Enugu State  is rural development bearing in mind that more than 70% of our people resides in the rural areas of the state.  On assumption of office some 6 years ago, the administration carried out what it called operation visit in every community (VEC) to find out their basic needs.

At the end of it, out of 1888 projects identified, the ministry of Rural development and her agencies under it  (ESDP, CDP & REB executed 1200 in the 472 autonomous communities of the state, some of the projects included construction of health institutions at Igha in Uzo Uwani, Uguafor in Nkanu West and Oghu in Udi local government area among others.

The CSDP world bank assisted is working in 16 of the 17 local government areas of the state with 85 communities currently benefiting in its programme.  Presently it had completed 140 micro projects, 90 are ongoing and it is targeting 300 additional community based projects by 2015.  Some school projects executed are located at Mbulujodo, Oghu Ibute Nze, ikeghe Okpatu among others.  

In the area of water bore holes they include Eziowa Aguobu Owa, Onyohor Olido Egala Amala among others while in the health sector they are Ogbeke Nike Ndiagu Obinofia Eziora Umulokpa to mention but a few.  In the area of rural electrification the State Rural Electrification Board (REB) has provided electricity to 434 out of 472 communication in the state with hope to complete the remaining 38 communities before the end of 2013.

The CDP also did some projects in partnership with the council chairman of the benefiting communities in the state.  The state fire service was resuscitated by the state government within the period under review, with the purchase of five new trucks and four fire fighting vehicles.  The chairmen of six urban council areas the state namely Enugu North, Enugu South, Enugu east, Oji River, Udi and Nsukka also purchased one fire fighting vehicles each to compliment state government’s efforts to fight fire in the event of any outbreak.