By Maxwell Udeh
Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, the fourth civilian governor of Ebonyi State, was elected by popular vote in the March 18, 2023, governorship poll in the state.
Ceremonially inaugurated to the cheers of well-meaning Ebonyians on May 29, 2023, at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Governor Nwifuru did not mince words in informing the jubilant crowd of Ebonyians and supporters of his determination to anchor his administration on the Divine Mandate Continuity and Consolidation Platform.
Highpoints of the ideology of the Divine Mandate Continuity and Consolidation platform are conspicuously encapsulated in his guiding compass- the People’s Charter of Needs.
The governor, on assumption of duty, started pursuing the various challenges plaguing Ebonyi citizens with resilience and youthful vigour
Today, Ebonyi is second to none in the comity of states in Nigeria in terms of good network of roads, with over 700km of concrete roads already completed in different parts of the state.
Arguably, Ebonyi is also ahead of the rest of the states in terms of quality and affordable healthcare, functional public educational system, viable agricultural system, human capital development, trade and investment, commerce and industry as well as the prevalence of peace and order.
Just as the governor is religiously keeping tabs on the People’s Charter of Needs, he is also meticulously not reneging on his belief in continuity and consolidation of governance.
So far, the governor has continued to resurrect grounded infrastructure inherited from previous administrations, breathing life into them, to the benefit of Ebonyi people.
For instance, the governor, on assumption of office, spent a fortune to revive the Pipe Production Factory in Ezzamgbo, the Building Materials, industry also in Ezzamgbo, and the Pulverization Plant in Umuoghara, both of which had been grounded with their accessories carted away by hoodlums nine years before his emergence as governor. Today, the pipe production factory is a one-stop shop for quality and durable pipes of all sizes and uses in the South East and other parts of Nigeria.
With the revival of the Umuoghara Pulverization Plant, Ebonyi will soon begin to import refuse to feed the machines for recycling of waste to wealth at its optimum productivity.
Recall that at the time Governor Nwifuru took the mantle of leadership, potable water supply in Abakaliki and its environs had become a luxury but, moving swiftly, he revived the Ezillo Water Scheme, the Water Works Low and High Lifts and supply of potable water to major areas of Abakaliki and environs has already become a routine.
Not resting on his oars, efforts are in top gears to complete the Ishiagu Water Project, restore the Iboko Water Substation and other ancillary water projects to ensure regular supply of water to all parts of the state.
The state government is also exploring the possibility of reviving the gigantic Oferekpe Water Scheme and, upon confirmation of such possibility, relevant actors would be engaged to bring about the needed revamp.
It is important to mention that flight operations had been halted at the Wilberforce Chuba Okadigbo International Cargo Airport, Onueke, over complaints about the runway by the airlines as at the time Nwifuru assumed office as governor. But determined to ensure that Ebonyi taxpayers’ money already expended on the airport widely acknowledged as one of the best in West Africa with 3.1 km length and 60 metres width runway does not go down the drain, the governor committed well over N17 billion to remodel the runway in nylon asphalt overlay. And, today, the job is completed, waiting for the nod of the relevant aviation stakeholders for resumption of flight operations.
Leaving no stone unturned to ensure holistic continuity of government projects, the governor recently gave approval for the remodelling and completion of the 11-storey International Trade Centre conceived by the first executive governor of the state, Dr. Sam Ominyi Egwu. The project, when completed is expected to further lift the face of the capital city infrastructurally while opening more vistas for economic viability and potency.
Efforts are also in top gear to ensure that the new Ebonyi Olympic Stadium at the Ochoudo Centenary City is soon completed as it is going to be central to the sports development agenda of the state government.
The question may go: why is Governor Francis Nwifuru so committed to completing not only his own projects but others he inherited from previous administrations as well? It is because the governor is fully aware that government is a continuum and it is better to use taxpayers’ money to complete projects initiated by predecessors than allow the commitment of the previous governments and the taxpayers to peter away.
These have helped the governor achieve a whole lot for Ebonyians within one year and counting as governor of the Salt of the Nation.
Going by his imprints so far in this regard, it is evident that, at transition in 2031, by the special grace of God, Governor Nwifuru would not only be having a clean slate in terms of project completion, he would definitely not be leaving any inherited projects uncompleted as well.
Worthy of mention is the indubitable fact that Governor Nwifuru’s efforts at ensuring that no state fund committed to projects by his predecessors is deemed wasted. The governor has continued to receive commendations from reputable civil society organizations and institutions for that singular reason. Only recently, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), led by its Zonal Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner, Kennedy Ebhotemen, showered encomiums on the governor.
Thus, for all the governor is doing in the state, what is required of benevolent Ebonyians are ceaseless prayers and manifold solidarity to the governor to enable him keep to his promise to the people.
May God continue to inspire Governor Nwifuru to take Ebonyi to greater heights.
•Udeh, a scholar and public affairs commentator writes from Abakaliki