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.