Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State on Monday appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to redeem the promises he made to the people of the South-East state during his campaign.
Speaking at a town hall meeting organised by the Federal Ministry of Information in Enugu on Monday, Ugwuanyi said that the appeal had become imperative following the epileptic power supply in the country.
He said that the poor state of electricity in the country was discouraging investments.
He also appealed to the Federal Government to make substantial investment in the Ugwuoba Gas Field in Oji River local government.
“I recall the president’s campaign promise to revive the coal mines in Enugu and utilise it to generate electricity.
“Coal is a major energy source in some countries of the world and we have it in abundance in the state. If this is done it will directly or indirectly create job opportunities for millions of Nigerians,” he said.
Ugwuanyi also reminded the Federal Government of the Ada Rice Farm Irrigation Project it started in the state in 2007, adding that work had since stalled at the site.
He said that the project was critical and important to the state government following efforts to diversify the economy and make the country self-sufficient in rice production.
“Of very critical importance to us is the Ada Rice Farm in Uzo Uwani local government. The project has the capacity for low gravity irrigation and has the potential of expansion to cover 10,000 hectares.
“Unfortunately, only 1,200 hectares of irrigable land have been fully developed. The Federal Government started the rehabilitation of the entire project in 2007. Sadly, progress in this regard has stalled,” he said.
The governor appealed to the Federal Government to re-evaluate the project to make it fully functional, adding that it would provide employment and boost economic activities in the area.
He regretted that some Federal Government agencies domiciled in the state were indebted to it and largely contributed to its financial stress.
“The government of the state will in this regard appreciate the intervention of the Federal Government to ensure the payment of huge debts owed the state by some federal agencies and establishments located in the state.
“They are the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and the Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu which respectively owe N2.3 billion, N10 billion and N190 million in tax returns.
“These institutions have continued to owe these debts even though the state government provides infrastructure and other ancillary supports to them,” he said.
Ugwuanyi commended the Federal Government for providing bailout funds to states which he said had assisted them to wriggle out of some financial challenges.
“While we commend the Federal Government for providing the bailout funds, we do humbly appeal for the release of more resources to the states to enable them to discharge their ever increasing responsibilities.
“We request the Federal Government’s intervention in the rehabilitation of all federal roads linking the South East states which are in deplorable condition,” he said.
He appealed for the economic encouragement of the zone to stem capital flight by localising skills acquisition among the youth as a way of increasing total factor productivity.
“I thank the minister of information and culture for bringing this meeting to the zone.
“I am convinced that the presence of these ministers will help usher in the new vista of development for Enugu State and the entire South East region,” Ugwuanyi said.
Earlier in an opening remark, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said that they were in the state to assure the zone that the change they voted for was not a hoax.
Mohammed said that the FG was not unmindful of the sufferings of Nigerians, but assured them that the difficult times would not last.
He said that the Federal Government would evenly develop all parts of the country, adding that no region would be short-changed.
On the deplorable condition of the roads in the zone, Mohammed said that the Federal Government had mobilised contractors to commence work on some of the major roads, adding that the rains might have hindered the commencement of work.
Mohammed also said that the change promised Nigerians by the All Progressive Congress (APC) is not a ruse.
To him, the change is already manifesting in every sector.
He said that contrary to the insinuations in certain quarters that the people were not feeling the impact of the government, a lot had been done in moving the country forward.
He said that the government would remain undaunted in implementing its change agenda to improve the lot of Nigerians.
“Many have said they are yet to see the change we promised. Many more have called the promise a ruse.
“In fact, they are now mocking us. But we remain undaunted because we know that the change we promised is real.
“In fact, the change we promised is already here, and it is manifesting all around us,’’ he said.
Buttressing his position, the minister said that the government had successfully stopped the looting of public funds which was responsible for underdevelopment.
“Before now, public officials simply opened the public till, took as much money as they wanted and walked away without consequences.
“That explains why funds allocated to the military to fight Boko Haram ended up in the piggy banks of many unscrupulous Nigerians
“Today, all those who looted the public treasury are being made to answer for their actions, as impunity gives way to accountability.
“Many have offered to return their loots, and many more are facing charges,” he said.
The minister said that with the introduction of the Treasury Single Account, funds meant for the Federal Government were directly paid in and used for development of infrastructure.
He noted that before now, funds accruing to the government were paid into so many accounts and went to private purses.
Mohammed said that the government had successfully identified and stopped salaries hitherto paid to more than 30,000 ghost workers.
“We promised to diversify the economy away from oil, to ensure that other sectors are able to significantly contribute to sustainable development.
“In June 2016, for the very first time, about 70 per cent of the more than N500 billion raised from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee came from the non-oil sector, while 30 per cent came from the oil sector.
“It was the first time in 2016 that the Federal Government shared more than N500 billion among the three tiers of government,” he said.
In the area of security, Mohammed said that the government had successfully crushed the Boko Haram terrorists and not a single territory was being administered by them.
On infrastructure, the minister said that construction firms had been mobilised to sites on major roads in the country.
“As they move to site, they are creating thousands of new jobs. No part of the country is left out of this.
“Where the contractors have not been seen on site, it is because of the rains, not because of lack of mobilisation.
The minister said that the complaints over perceived or real instances of lopsidedness in appointments were being addressed.
“There are hundreds of appointments yet to be made. It is an evolving scenario and any lopsidedness is being addressed as we progress,” he said.
The minister said that the town hall meetings were held to bridge the communication gap between the government and the people and to carry the people along in the process of governance.
Earlier, while leading a team of ministers on a courtesy visit to Ugwuanyi, Mohammed called on political leaders to “build one Nigeria devoid of partisanship, ethnicity and religious differences”.
He commended the governor for the reception accorded his entourage not minding that he is in an opposition party.
He noted that political parties and their leaders must have the single goal of serving the interest of the nation.
“It is unique that we are here today in Enugu, an opposition state, and since we came we have not seen any difference whether we are in APC- or PDP-controlled state.
“This is very important because this is the kind of Nigeria we want to build, a Nigeria where people will have one agenda to build Nigeria,” he said.
The minister thanked the governor and his commissioners for the cooperation and support in hosting the 5th Town Hall Meeting.
The town hall meeting was conceived by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture to interact with the people on the programmes of the Federal Government.
It gives the opportunity for ministers to engage directly with the people, telling them the achievements and challenges of the government and also giving answers to their questions.
The ministers at the forum are Mohammed, Audu Ogheh, Chris Ngige, Geoffrey Onyeama, Isaac Adewole, Jubril Usman and Okechukwu Enelama.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State on Monday appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to redeem the promises he made to the people of the South-East state during his campaign.
Speaking at a town hall meeting organised by the Federal Ministry of Information in Enugu on Monday, Ugwuanyi said that the appeal had become imperative following the epileptic power supply in the country.
He said that the poor state of electricity in the country was discouraging investments.
He also appealed to the Federal Government to make substantial investment in the Ugwuoba Gas Field in Oji River local government.
“I recall the president’s campaign promise to revive the coal mines in Enugu and utilise it to generate electricity.
“Coal is a major energy source in some countries of the world and we have it in abundance in the state. If this is done it will directly or indirectly create job opportunities for millions of Nigerians,” he said.
Ugwuanyi also reminded the Federal Government of the Ada Rice Farm Irrigation Project it started in the state in 2007, adding that work had since stalled at the site.
He said that the project was critical and important to the state government following efforts to diversify the economy and make the country self-sufficient in rice production.
“Of very critical importance to us is the Ada Rice Farm in Uzo Uwani local government. The project has the capacity for low gravity irrigation and has the potential of expansion to cover 10,000 hectares.
“Unfortunately, only 1,200 hectares of irrigable land have been fully developed. The Federal Government started the rehabilitation of the entire project in 2007. Sadly, progress in this regard has stalled,” he said.
The governor appealed to the Federal Government to re-evaluate the project to make it fully functional, adding that it would provide employment and boost economic activities in the area.
He regretted that some Federal Government agencies domiciled in the state were indebted to it and largely contributed to its financial stress.
“The government of the state will in this regard appreciate the intervention of the Federal Government to ensure the payment of huge debts owed the state by some federal agencies and establishments located in the state.
“They are the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and the Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu which respectively owe N2.3 billion, N10 billion and N190 million in tax returns.
“These institutions have continued to owe these debts even though the state government provides infrastructure and other ancillary supports to them,” he said.
Ugwuanyi commended the Federal Government for providing bailout funds to states which he said had assisted them to wriggle out of some financial challenges.
“While we commend the Federal Government for providing the bailout funds, we do humbly appeal for the release of more resources to the states to enable them to discharge their ever increasing responsibilities.
“We request the Federal Government’s intervention in the rehabilitation of all federal roads linking the South East states which are in deplorable condition,” he said.
He appealed for the economic encouragement of the zone to stem capital flight by localising skills acquisition among the youth as a way of increasing total factor productivity.
“I thank the minister of information and culture for bringing this meeting to the zone.
“I am convinced that the presence of these ministers will help usher in the new vista of development for Enugu State and the entire South East region,” Ugwuanyi said.
Earlier in an opening remark, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said that they were in the state to assure the zone that the change they voted for was not a hoax.
Mohammed said that the FG was not unmindful of the sufferings of Nigerians, but assured them that the difficult times would not last.
He said that the Federal Government would evenly develop all parts of the country, adding that no region would be short-changed.
On the deplorable condition of the roads in the zone, Mohammed said that the Federal Government had mobilised contractors to commence work on some of the major roads, adding that the rains might have hindered the commencement of work.
Mohammed also said that the change promised Nigerians by the All Progressive Congress (APC) is not a ruse.
To him, the change is already manifesting in every sector.
He said that contrary to the insinuations in certain quarters that the people were not feeling the impact of the government, a lot had been done in moving the country forward.
He said that the government would remain undaunted in implementing its change agenda to improve the lot of Nigerians.
“Many have said they are yet to see the change we promised. Many more have called the promise a ruse.
“In fact, they are now mocking us. But we remain undaunted because we know that the change we promised is real.
“In fact, the change we promised is already here, and it is manifesting all around us,’’ he said.
Buttressing his position, the minister said that the government had successfully stopped the looting of public funds which was responsible for underdevelopment.
“Before now, public officials simply opened the public till, took as much money as they wanted and walked away without consequences.
“That explains why funds allocated to the military to fight Boko Haram ended up in the piggy banks of many unscrupulous Nigerians
“Today, all those who looted the public treasury are being made to answer for their actions, as impunity gives way to accountability.
“Many have offered to return their loots, and many more are facing charges,” he said.
The minister said that with the introduction of the Treasury Single Account, funds meant for the Federal Government were directly paid in and used for development of infrastructure.
He noted that before now, funds accruing to the government were paid into so many accounts and went to private purses.
Mohammed said that the government had successfully identified and stopped salaries hitherto paid to more than 30,000 ghost workers.
“We promised to diversify the economy away from oil, to ensure that other sectors are able to significantly contribute to sustainable development.
“In June 2016, for the very first time, about 70 per cent of the more than N500 billion raised from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee came from the non-oil sector, while 30 per cent came from the oil sector.
“It was the first time in 2016 that the Federal Government shared more than N500 billion among the three tiers of government,” he said.
In the area of security, Mohammed said that the government had successfully crushed the Boko Haram terrorists and not a single territory was being administered by them.
On infrastructure, the minister said that construction firms had been mobilised to sites on major roads in the country.
“As they move to site, they are creating thousands of new jobs. No part of the country is left out of this.
“Where the contractors have not been seen on site, it is because of the rains, not because of lack of mobilisation.
The minister said that the complaints over perceived or real instances of lopsidedness in appointments were being addressed.
“There are hundreds of appointments yet to be made. It is an evolving scenario and any lopsidedness is being addressed as we progress,” he said.
The minister said that the town hall meetings were held to bridge the communication gap between the government and the people and to carry the people along in the process of governance.
Earlier, while leading a team of ministers on a courtesy visit to Ugwuanyi, Mohammed called on political leaders to “build one Nigeria devoid of partisanship, ethnicity and religious differences”.
He commended the governor for the reception accorded his entourage not minding that he is in an opposition party.
He noted that political parties and their leaders must have the single goal of serving the interest of the nation.
“It is unique that we are here today in Enugu, an opposition state, and since we came we have not seen any difference whether we are in APC- or PDP-controlled state.
“This is very important because this is the kind of Nigeria we want to build, a Nigeria where people will have one agenda to build Nigeria,” he said.
The minister thanked the governor and his commissioners for the cooperation and support in hosting the 5th Town Hall Meeting.
The town hall meeting was conceived by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture to interact with the people on the programmes of the Federal Government.
It gives the opportunity for ministers to engage directly with the people, telling them the achievements and challenges of the government and also giving answers to their questions.
The ministers at the forum are Mohammed, Audu Ogheh, Chris Ngige, Geoffrey Onyeama, Isaac Adewole, Jubril Usman and Okechukwu Enelama.
