THE NEW STREET SWEEPERS ON DUTY IN THE COAL CITY [By Afam Okereke]

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.  

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

In the area of Chieftaincy Matters, Governor Chime, the Royal Prince of Udi Kingdom elevated the status of Traditional Rulers in the state to an enviable height.  On assumption of Office, the Governor approved an upward review of salaries and allowances of the Royal Father from N30,000.00 to N100,000.00 monthly and N110,000.00 for members of the State Traditional Rulers Council.  

A good number of new Traditional Rulers were recognized and issued with their staff of office and certificate of recognition by the state government. About three hundred recognized traditional rulers from 300 recognized autonomous communities in the state are proud owners of brand new Hyundai Saloon cars courtesy of Governor Chime and his administration.

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

In the area of housing, the administration established more than seven Housing Estates in parts of Nsukka and Enugu the state capital, some in partnership with Private Estate Developers.  They included the 101 executive duplexes at the Coal City Garden Estate, the 324 2-bedroom flats at Marry-land Estate, the 144 2 and 3 bedroom semi-detached housing units at Goshen Housing Estate.  Others are the 48 housing units at the Jubilee Estate, the 40 units of self contained bungalows at the RCC Housing Estate, the Hill Crest, Ekulu East and Liberty Estate all in Enugu and the Obukpa Layout Housing Estate at Nsukka. Above all, Enugu State Civil Servants are participating in the National Housing Fund programme aimed at assisting workers to own houses in the state.

GOVERNOR SULLIVAN CHIME AND THE WIND OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION ENUGU STATE [By Afam Okereke]

The action taken by the Enugu State government to remove illegal structures that are causing obstruction and defaced the master plan of Enugu the state capital is in the over-riding public interest. Before the removal of such illegal structures, government normally gives their owners long period of notice to enable them or relocate in their own best interest. Often times a good number of owners of such structures/businesses comply within the time frame given by government.

Unfortunately some who would like to take government’s order for a ride fragrantly disobey such notices. A good example of those who respected government order is the management of OSINGA GAS PLANT along Ziks Avenue within the P&T Bridge. The management of the establishment upon receiving the order to re-locate their plant to make way for the construction of Twin Bridge along the road complied. They even assisted the construction company handling the project.

On the other hand their neighbor and owners of the property (Mountain of Fire & Miracles Ministries), on the other side of the bridge failed to obey government order to remove or relocate the prayer house, even when alternative was made available. 

Also a similar case was the attitude exhibited by the owners of property along Abakaliki Road Enugu at Abakpa Nike Junction and old motor part at Ogbete Enugu. Those unpatriotic residents of the coal city find it difficult to respect and obey the authority of government. Like those who disobey the law, government had no alternative than to remove all those illegal structures to make way for development that will benefit the greater majority of our people and better their lives.

We may recall that on the premises of the Polo Shopping Mall, was one time Polo Park in Enugu which eventually due to lack of maintenance by the previous administration became moribund. Gradually, it degenerated to into a home for hoodlums, prostitutes and a breeding ground for criminals in the capital city. The administration of Governor Chime in its sweeping transformation drive to change the face and fortunes of the state, attracted conglomerates within and outside the country to invest in Enugu, despite the initial public outcry and opposition to the transformation, Governor Chime’s vision for change triumphed and on the grounds where the once notorious Polo Park stood is today, housing one of the biggest state-of-the-art shopping centers in the country now re-christened ‘Polo Shopping Mall’, home to international retail outlets, shops and other world standard public utilities.

However, the Polo Park is not the only public structure affected by this sweeping wind of change by the Sullivan Chime Administration, also the Enugu State Secretariat has witnessed a massive overhaul with the demolition of some old structures and construction of a highly standardized office complex for all the ministries, departments & agencies of the Enugu State Government to mention but a few.

The administration of Governor Sullivan Chime would always respect the law and rights of the citizens, but will not fold hands and allow some few individuals create a clog in the wheel of progress in the over–riding interest of the majority.