Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, on Saturday, paid an unscheduled visit to Enugu-Ebonyi boundary to monitor the rate of compliance with the ban on inter-state transportation aimed at containing the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
The governor, who trekked a long distance interrogating the drivers to ascertain their eligibility for entering the state, met over 150 vehicles queued at the Enugu axis of the boundary, attempting to enter the state.
Consequently, over 100 vehicles that were not on essential duties were identified and turned back to Ebonyi State where they were coming from.
While on the enforcement exercise, Ugwuanyi met with the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Kelechi Igwe, who was on transit, and had a brief discussion with him.
It could be recalled that since the ban on inter-state transportation in Enugu State, some travellers (non-essential workers) on daily basis came into Enugu State.
Unfortunately, the sixteen (16) COVID-19 cases recorded in Enugu State were patients with travel history.
As a result, the governor and his deputy, Mrs Cecelia Ezeilo, from time to time, monitor the state borders to ascertain the level of compliance of the ban on inter-State transportation.
Meanwhile, Ugwuanyi has donated a Hyundai Bus H-1 to the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA) to support them in their operations, calling for diversification of economy.
Delivering the bus to ECCIMA on Friday at the Government House, Enugu, on behalf of the governor, the Deputy governor, Mrs Ezeilo said that “ECCIMA has been a worthy partner in the development of our state’s economy and this is why the State government deemed it necessary to provide you people with this brand new bus to aid your service to the state.
“This donation is to assist your esteemed organisation to execute your daily activities bearing in mind the importance of your engagements to the economic growth of our dear state”.
“Today marked another achievement as far as diversification of economy is concerned. We can only achieve Industralization and entrepreneurship with people like you, the ECCIMA group and that’s why his Excellency, deemed it fit to support this group by making this donation of a bus to your organisation.
“This is to support work to industrialise Enugu State and diversify our economy. See what oil is doing. It cannot carry Nigerians anymore. We are appealing to you to move forward as for as the economy of the state is concerned”
She said that since it’s inception, ECCIMA had been partnering Enugu State government in so many ways, stressing that there is need for diversification of the economy to create the needed opportunity for non-oil sectors to thrive in the state, especially now that oil has become volatile in the international market
In his remark, the First Vice President of ECCIMA, Jasper Nduagwuike, thanked Ugwuanyi for the gesture.
He said that ECCIMA “had over the years made request for a bus to successive governments and could not get one. It is only this present administration that has acceded to our request. Now with this singular act, the governor His Excellency, Rt.Hon.Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has indeed proved that he has interest of the organised private sector at heart. He has shown in diverse ways but this so far, is the epitome of that support”.
Nduagwuike promised support for the state government, saying, ” On behalf of ECCIMA, we promise that the organised private sector will always stand by the Enugu State government.
“We have also shown that we are supportive of this administration . We are glad that the governor responded by bringing some of us into particular committees of the state government . Once more Enugu Chamber of Commerce will always have your back. If there is anything you want us to do, please don’t hesitate to tell us. We are proud of him and we will continue to support him,” he said.
