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Enugu:  Sustaining Urban Development Despite Economic Downturn

By Francis Ugwoke
23 January 2016   |   3:10 am
THE past eight months of the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in Enugu State has been very eventful. Even with the hard economic bearing in the country, the state government has been full of development initiatives to move the state forward. Apparently aware of the negative impact of the dwindling fortunes from the oil sector…

Enugu State goveror, Ugwuanyi

THE past eight months of the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in Enugu State has been very eventful. Even with the hard economic bearing in the country, the state government has been full of development initiatives to move the state forward.

Apparently aware of the negative impact of the dwindling fortunes from the oil sector on monthly allocations from the Federal Government, the Governor shortly after assuming office moved to improve on earnings from the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

To the Governor, this is the only way the administration can carry out a number of development projects lined up in the state.

The next move by the governor was the establishment of Enugu State Economic Advisory Committee. The Committee is made up of technocrats that will among others, advise the government on areas of economic development, including new infrastructure development, rehabilitation and sustaining development in urban and rural areas.

One thing that manifested during the last governorship election in Enugu State was the clear support that Governor Ugwuanyi received from the people of the state. This massive support from all the senatorial zones is one challenge that the governor is faced with today. What it means is that his administration must work hard to develop the state in line with the expectations of the people.   Thus, the state government has lined up development projects for the state notwithstanding the hard economic times.

The governor had promised a holistic and inclusive development for the state during his campaign for the office, and as his aides say, he has hit the ground running to keep his promise.

Ugwuanyi has moved in the direction of urban development as well as a touch on rural areas as the resources could permit. Setting out with a Committee on Urban Development, the state government is currently carrying out one development effort or the other in various urban areas in the state. The idea is to develop the entire state in line with the governor’s campaign promises.

Apparently realising the importance of good roads to development, Governor Ugwuanyi has made strong moves to open up new roads or rehabilitate dilapidating ones in the state.  Such roads could be found in all the senatorial zones.  He recently flagged off construction of five additional roads in the state.  Some of the projects include the 9th Mile Corner, Ngwo through Abor and Umulumgbe in Udi local government area and Ukehe in Igbo-Etiti local government area. Others are on the pipeline as his aides say.

Apart from road reconstruction, the state government has also said that it is determined to touch the lives of workers by improving on their condition of service.   As part of this, the state government recently promised to introduce housing scheme for workers in local governments in the state. To achieve this, the state government has opened up discussions with the Federal Mortgage Bank in a strategic partnership to provide houses to the state’s workers.  The Governor had explained that the extension of his housing scheme programme for workers to local government council level is to enhance their living standard. Under the project, about 100 housing units would be provided for junior workers. 

With poor revenue from the oil sector, the state has strengthened its internal revenue generation mechanism. On assuming office, Ugwuanyi rolled out plans to have an efficient tax administration as the way to improve the revenue generation from the state.  But beyond just collecting more taxes, the State Economic Planning Commission is working to harmonise the issue of taxation in the state. This is targeted at addressing the allegation of multiple taxation in the state.

Experts believe that with the efforts of the state government on improvement in IGR, the finances of the state will improve to add to what may come from the monthly allocation. This will enable the state government handle various development projects that have been initiated for the well-being of the people.

• Ugwoke writes from Lagos.

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