Ebonyi 2023:An Agenda for the New Administration of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.

..By Clement Nnachi (Abakaliki)

Today  May 29th 2023, Ebonyi State will join other States in the Federation to mark historic milestones in her democratic history.

It marks the inauguration of the admistration of Rt Hon Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru as the 4th democratically elected Executive Governor of Ebonyi State.

The New Administration takes over from the immediate past regime of Engr David Umahi whose eight years ténure started from May 2015 till May 29th 2023.

Since 1999, Ebonyi State has witnessed the administration of three previous regimes namely Dr Sam Egwu (1999-2007), Chief Martin Elechi (2007-2015) and Engr David Umahi (2015-2023) respectively.

There is no gainsaying the fact that since the Advent of Democracy in the country on May 29th 1999, Ebonyi State has emerged as one of  Nigeria fastest developing and peace setting States.

Despite the challenges pervading  the nation in general, successful government’s in the state have

made meaningful efforts to unite and develop the state.

Without doubts within this few years, the State has recorded unprecedented infrastructural development thus making the State a reference point among the top states in the country.

We also note that the state has created an enabling business environment by expanding it’s infrastructures which has endeared many investors within and outside the state to visit Ebonyi State as the next investment destination of choice.

As Hon Francis Nwifuru assumes office as the Chief Executive of Ebonyi State, Analysts, citizens and Public Affairs Commentators have outlined Agenda for the administration which they considered to be germane to ensure the rapid  economic development of the State .

Firstly, the administration should strive and ensure peaceful co_existence among communities and  curb incessant communal crisis rocking most communities.

Notable among which is the crisis rocking Effium and Ezza Effium communities, Isinkwo and Abaomege, Enyigba and Enyibichiri  among others.

More needs to be done to encourage displaced persons to return to their homes.

‘let the New Government empasize the need for peaceful co_existence, let permanent peace be restored to the warring communities’

‘In Ezillo axis, it’s true there are no wars, people are not living in those areas, government should address those issues’

‘The task of Nation Building is a collective responsibility, in which corporate and individuals have roles to play “

Besides, the New Administration should endeavour to Accord priority to the payment of Gratuity to retired Civil Servants.

A Respondent and former Secretary of Ebonyi State Universal Basic Education Board (EB-SUBEB) Dr Boniface Nwofia, echoed that the immediate past administration has not been able to pay Gratuity to Civil Servants.

According to him, ‘since 2017 till date, (6 years), gratuity has not been paid, it  is necessary that something urgent needs to be done’

‘Some of the retirees could no longer afford their routine drugs, have nothing to lay their hands on after 35 years of service to the state’

In addition, the improvement of Educational and Human Capital Development of the citizenry should be accorded uppermost priority.

A youth leader Comrade Ejike Agbo, advised the New  government to set up Reconciliatory Committee, to assuage the grievances of political opponents who might be aggrieved as a result of the just concluded 2023 general elections.

‘This is to strengthen the Cord  of Unity among the citizenry in a time like this, and enable the New Government accommodate their opponents”

Furthermore, an Islamic Scholar Alhaji Abbas Egwu, urged government to design measures that will reduce the high poverty rate in the State especially the rural populace.

Also, the New Government should endeavour to complete all projects introduced by the immediate past administration notably the New Ebonyi State University Teaching hospital, and the Rail line from Abakaliki to Onueke Ezza South Local Government Area among others.

Efforts must be put in place to harness the abundant  Solid Mineral deposits in the State namely Salt, Lead, Granite , Limestone among others.

‘Ebonyi State is endowed with abundant solid mineral and  Natural Deposits which had made her a formidable force that is difficult to ignore in the comity of States”

In the same vein. the New Government of Hon Francis Nwifuru, should strive and encourage indigenous contractors in the construction of major projects on the State.

This would create confidence and sense of responsibility among the members of the Nigeria Society of Engineers and encourage  local content potentials.

The New Administration should strive and encourage All_Round Farming in the State through adequate provision of incentives to Farmers and provision of irrigation facilities to Farmers.

As the New Administration of Rt Hon Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, begins in earnest to deliver democratic dividends to the people, all hands must be on deck to give the regime the much needed cooperation and solidarity it deserves to record significant success in it’s policy direction and principles.