By Ike Cletus Ngah
The bane of national development in Nigeria and some states of the federation is the lack of continuity and consolidation of existing projects, policies and programmes initiated by previous administrations. Each new administration tends to initiate new project without considering the importance of completing the existing ones that were initiated by their predecessors. This has been the cause of many abandoned projects and lack of precision in governance. Most of these laudable projects which were not completed due to paucity of funds or time constraints were usually abandoned by successive administrations thereby causing retrogression of development.
However, this article posits that Governor Nwifuru is a good reference for positive paradigm shift in this regard because of his commitment to continuity and consolidation.
The 4th Executive Governor of Ebonyi state, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru rode to power in May, 2023 on the threshold of the Divine Mandate doctrine anchored on the philosophy of Consolidation and Continuity. Although, Governor Nwifuru crafed his own manifesto as the People’s Charter of Needs Agenda, he conscientiously blended it with the philosophy of continuity and consolidation with a touch of innovation and excellence.
Upon his assumption of office, Governor Nwifuru embarked on inspection of key Government projects across the state to ascertain their status. The Chuba Okadigbo International Airport, Onueke was his first port of call. Immediately, he approved for the remodeling of the Airport Runway to meet the international best standard. Not only that, he directed for the payment of areas of salaries owed the Airport workers with a promise to continuously improve their welfare. Gladly, the asphalting of the Airport Runway is already nearing completion and it’s expected that full flight operations will commence there in no time.
It’s therefore needless recounting the gains of this legacy project when completed. First, Ebonyians will be connected to the rest of the world. It will also open up the state as number one investment destination in the South East and also increase its revenue base. Moreover, it will create access to multiple employment opportunities for the citizens. Luckily enough, the Airport is in the process of being taken over as a federal government establishment.
Furthermore, the Ebonyi Pipe Production company is another laudable project with enormous potentials initiated by Governor Elechi. This important project was left moribund over the years but Governor Nwifuru having seen its potentials swung into action to revive it. Thus, the Governor has procured all necessary equipment for the seamless operation of the company and it’s expected that it will start production soonest. There’s no gainsaying that this company will serve the piping needs of the south east and Nigeria in general. It will generate revenue to the state government and provide employment to thousands of Ebonyians if it starts operation. Again, the drive for the industrialization of the state shall be met through the revitalization of this all-important company.
In a related development, the Building Materials Industry, Ezzangbo established by the 1st Executive Governor of Ebonyi state- Senator Sam Egwu was abandoned by the successive administrations. Heartwarmingly, it is now receiving a midas touch of Governor Nwifuru. This company when revived has the potential of meeting the building materials needs of Nigeria and elsewhere. As a result of this, the Governor has shown enough commitment to reviving this important company by granting necessary approvals for the procurement of relevant materials for its smooth take off. In line with his People’s charter of needs initiative, the Governor through the Ministry of Commerce and Industry is working round the clock to industrialize the state through the revitalization of all moribund state owned companies.
This is indeed a positive paradigm shift from the previous administrations. The overdependence on politics as the only source of livelihood in Ebonyi state must be discouraged through the establishment of industries and by making agriculture attractive to the youths. These industries will then create both direct and indirect employment thereby reducing hunger, crime and apparently increase the revenue base of the state. Also, Ebonyi state will be the best destination for both local and International businesses due to existence of the International Cargo Airport, the International Market, the ultramodern Central Park and the aforementioned industries. Thus, it will definitely become the largest economy in the whole of south east, Nigeria.
Another notable project which is receiving the needed attention of Governor Nwifuru is the Ebonyi State Waste Recycling Plant at Umuoghara in Ezza North local government area. This very important project conceived by Governor Umahi was not put to use before his tenure elapsed. Thankfully, Governor Nwifuru has given approval for the purchase of all critical equipment for the optimum functioning of the company. It is therefore expected that the company will begin operation in no distant time.
The gains of the Waste Recycling company are legion. First, it will make for cleaner environment and as well generate revenue for the state government. It will convert waste to wealth. Besides, the height attained so far by Ebonyi state as one of the neatest states in Nigeria will not only be sustained but improved upon through the operation of the Recycling Plant. Moreover, thousands of jobs will be created and the majority of Ebonyi youths hawking across major cities will come home to take up company jobs in the state. Also, the revitalization of these companies will help to extend development to the areas where they are located.
In the same vein, the sustenance of the concrete road technology initiated by Governor Umahi by the current administration is quite commendable. Notably, Governor Nwifuru is constructing both the urban and rural roads on rigid concrete pavements as well as asphalting them. This is an innovative approach to the concrete road technology. Besides, it will be more durable and also reduce the wears and tears of the tires. Not only that, it’s eco-friendly and equally reduces the health risks. The asphalting of the roads has equally added to the aesthetic beauty of the state capital and also reduced the noise pollution resulting from the screeching of tires on the concrete roads.
The Abakaliki Ring Road is one of the most significant projects attracted by the previous administration. Unfortunately, it’s not completed due to time constraints and other logistics problems. Gladly, Governor Francis Nwifuru is not resting on his oars but is passionately committed to actualizing this lofty initiative. He has since mobilized the contractors back to site and work is currently going on smoothly at the remaining sections of the road. This important road project connects the eight council areas from the old Abakaliki bloc out of the thirteen local government areas in the state.
The utilitarian values of this project can’t be quantified. For instance, since Ebonyi state is an agrarian society, it needs the roads to transport their farm produce from one location to another. Thus, these roads will not only boost the economy of the state but will reduce rural urban migration. This is because when there’s good road and other social amenities in the rural areas, the youths will certainly remain in the village to eke out a living instead of coming to the city. Interestingly, the Abakaliki Ring Road project is progressing rapidly and would soon be completed under the watch of Rt Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.
Remarkably, the 13 General Hospitals in the state received serious touch of rehabilitation and beautification from the previous administrations. Unfortunately, they were only but glorified structures that were not well equipped to provide quality health care services to the people. In view of this, Governor Nwifuru employed over 95 medical personnel into the State health sector. He equally procured new jeeps for the doctors managing the 13 General Hospitals and provided ambulances to them. As if that was not enough, he added N150, 000 to their monthly salaries as an incentive for optimum service delivery.
Beyond the welfare of the doctors, Governor Nwifuru also procured ultramodern medical equipment and revolving drugs for all the General Hospitals in the state. Thus, the hospitals which were an empty glorified edifices have been brought back to life. The rural dwellers can now access quality health care from their doorsteps. This is quite impressive because health is wealth. Even, the primary health centres are receiving the desired attention of the governor who has vowed to revive the entire health sector of the state.
In conclusion, the thesis of this article is that other Governors in Nigeria should take a queue from Governor Nwifuru in the aspect of continuity and consolidation as an elixir to good governance. All laudable projects and policies initiated by previous administrations must be completed by the successive administrations. Nevertheless, the new administration should imprint their own innovation and excellence in order to ensure creativity and precision in governance. This will reduce waste of scarce resources through abandoned projects. Thus, approach of continuity and consolidation will definitely stem the tide of abandoned projects saga and reduce the spate of corruption in the country. It will also guarantee continuity in governance and restore people’s confidence in their leaders.
Interestingly, the administration of Governor Francis Nwifuru has shown enough commitment in implementing the dire needs of Ebonyians in line with their order of priority. He has indeed touched on all aspects of their lives including education, health, infrastructure, human capital development, welfare among others. There is therefore no gainsaying that his administration is a veritable template for good governance in Nigeria. Thus, Ebonyians are lucky to have Governor Nwifuru at the helm of affairs at this auspicious point in time.
Post a Comment