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From Magnus Eze, Enugu
Opinions are divided over the state of affairs in Ebonyi State since May 29, 2023, that Francis Nwifuru took over from David Umahi as Governor of the state.
Nwifuru was speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly for the eight-year tenure of his predecessor.
A school of thought believes that the governor is yet to come to terms with what governance is all about. For this group, the administration has not been able to distinguish between its “right and left hands.” In fact, they said that the seeming quietness across the length and breadth of the state meant that nothing was going on.
Some persons said that the pending matters challenging the governor’s victory at the election petition tribunal were a distraction to him.
Yet, others believe that 100 days was actually enough for a new government to have settled down to confront governance.
Regardless, the dominant view in Ebonyi is that the governor has shown some flickers. Many people said that Governor Nwifuru has proved his mettle, indicating that he is a leader to watch with the avalanche of people-oriented policies and programmes put in place by his administration within the short period.
One of the greatest philosophers of all ages, Plato, propounded that “the beginning is the most important part of the work.”
Nwifuru showed from the outset that he was prepared for governance with the speed he addressed the security challenge confronting the state on assumption of office. He immediately appointed special assistants on security for the 13 local government areas and three senior special assistants on security for the senatorial districts.
He directed the security agencies to confront hoodlums who paraded as “unknown gunmen” and wantonly terrorised the state. With the necessary materials and encouragements given to the security agencies, some of the hoodlums were in a matter of days neutralised while many others were arrested.
Nwifuru from inception indicated that he would run a people-centred administration and this is being felt in the areas of poverty alleviation, infrastructural development; health and education reforms, job creation, internal security, ease of doing business, among others.
One of the first pronouncements of the governor was a directive for the strengthening of the health system through recruitment of 195 health professionals for the general hospitals.
Similarly, he directed recruitment of personnel for the civil service. Currently, the state civil service commission is recruiting 1454 personnel in different fields and cadres for the state civil and public service.
On the heels of the removal of fuel subsidy, the governor quickly increased workers’ pay by N10, 000 to cushion the effect of the Federal Government policy.
Another heartwarming achievement of the Nwifuru-led administration, was the approval of payment of arrears of gratuity to retired civil servants from 1996 to 2021. For 25 years, successive administrations did not pay attention to the plight of retirees but Nwifuru earmarked a whopping N4.3billion for this purpose. The state executive council also directed the resolution of all issues regarding the pension of retirees without further delay.
In addition, the governor gave lifeline to Ebonyi State University (EBSU) by increasing the state government’s monthly subvention to the institution. Aside paying two months in retrospect, N300m owed the university by the previous administration was also released to it.
Gov. Nwifuru further approved bursaries for Ebonyi indigenous law school students and made EBSU to approve the payment of school fees by students in instalments.
Ebonyi youths are not doubt the pivot of the present administration in the state as they occupy over 80 percent of appointments so far made by the governor.
But unfortunately, in towns and cities across Nigeria, Ebonyi youths hawk all manner of wares and do menial jobs.
To erase this unenviable stigma on the image of the state and give the youths better future; the governor has approved an empowerment package of N2million each for 1500 young Ebonyians involved in street hawking and other menial jobs. Its implementation will gulp N3billion but N2billion was immediately appropriated for the scheme that will see to 500 beneficiaries getting skills and other training programmes in three phases.
For years, water taps in Abakaliki, the state capital, remained dry. But Daily Sun gathered that the water schemes have been reactivated to supply water to the capital city and its environs. Commissioner for Water Resources, Leonard Nkah assured in a live radio programme that the taps will flow this week.
Another area that the governor has also made giant strides was in award of road construction contracts. They include the 4.5km New Mile 50 internal road, which is nearing completion; 41km road from Obubara Junction to Oferekpe; 19km Obvudechi–Iziogo road; 31. 827km Oferekpe–Agbaja road; 12.81km Ishieke Odomoke Ekebiligwe–Isophu–Nworie road; 1.3km Ebonyi Agro Dealers’ Market Road Onuebonyi; Ogboenyi road off Ndibe Beach Road, Afikpo; Itara–Dr. Akanu Ibiam–Oyoyo–Erei Road.
The governor also approved the construction of 2km roads in every community in the state as he promised during the electioneering. The rehabilitation of Alo Street/Nwele street/Ezza road in Abakaliki, is also nearing completion.
Moreover, Gov. Nwifuru established the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency for the state and appointed a Director General to head it. He released the first tranche of N50m for the agency to support small businesses. So far, the sensitisation team of the agency has visited at least six LGAs in its bid to galvanise the people into getting involved in skills and small businesses.
Closely related to the foregoing, is the rehabilitation of the moribund Ebonyi Building Materials Factory at Ezzamgbo; and the reactivation of fertilizer blending plant at Onuebonyi.
One sore point of the government is its faltering disposition in managing waste generated in the capital city.
Interestingly, the governor has approved the expansion of the Umuoghara Pulverization Plant to accommodate a recycling component to explore ways of benefitting from the waste-to-wealth potential of the recycled waste.
Prior to his assumption of office, Ebonyi was riddled with various intra and inter communal crises. But Gov. Nwifuru he has initiated measure to resolve all the lingering crises.
He constituted peace and reconciliation committees made up of reputable personages including the Bishop Emeritus of Abakaliki Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Michael Nnachi Okoro. The different committees have recorded some success stories in their assignments.
Aware of the humanitarian issues in the state, the governor has also directed the resettlement of the displaced persons at Amanze and Izzo Communities as well as Izzi and Abakaliki by building 280 bungalows for them. The process of erecting 140 low-cost bungalows at Amanze and Izzo communities has taken off while the second phase of another 140 units for Izzi and Abakaliki communities would soon begin.
For an Abakaliki resident and public affairs commentator, Dennis Uzim, the governor has shown signs that he means business.
Uzim who took particular interest in the ongoing road projects said: “Since I learnt two days back that our dear Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru will construct the very terribly dilapidated Ogbaga Road, right from the beginning to Nwofe market in Izzi LGA, my joy has been boundless.
“I had taken up the issue of that particular road severally with the immediate past administration in the state.
“At a time, I met the then Commissioner for Works, Engr. Ogbonna Obasi Abara who told me the issue was beyond him, though to his credit after the complaint, he carried out some palliative measures on the road but the measures couldn’t stand the heavy trucks that ply the road.
“When the current Governor has finally made good his promise, I’ll thank him with 8 tubers of king-size yams and one sizable goat. Thank God that our Governor is a man who walks his talk.”
