Town Hall Meeting: Mbah divulges moves for effective education system, Health care in Enugu

By MAURICE OKAFOR.

The Enugu state governor, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has maintained the commitment of his administration in facilitating the growth of the economy of the state in all sectors for the welfare of the citizens and every other Nigerian resident in the state.

Governor Mbah’s administration in Enugu state came up with a blueprint for raising the economy of the state from the gross domestic product(GDP) of four million to a staggering thirty million dollars within eight years(before the end of his two-term tenure), by the special grace of God, dint of hard work and good governance.

Nine months in the saddle, Governor Mbah said he has made frantic road maps in that direction, expressing rays of hope of accomplishing his mission in the governance of Enugu state.

Speaking at the latest town hall meeting t themed,’ ISSUES OF GOVERNANCE, THE JOURNEY SO held at Old Government Lodge, Abakaliki Road, GRA, Enugu, on Saturday, March 23, the Governor pointed out the frantic efforts and achievements of his administration in Education sector, Health sector, provision of pipe borne water to every Nigerian living in Enugu metropolis, the problem of poor power supply, insecurity and lots more even as he responded to every question from participants.

The Enugu state governor said his administration lays more emphasis on the Education sector as very critical in reducing the poverty rate among the citizens and has commenced the construction of ‘Smart Schools that will be operational in the 260 wards in the state by September 2025.

The vision will encourage every child in the state to embrace and be equipped with modern trends and facilities for learning. The envisaged Smart School in every ward of Enugu state will also be technically inclined as such that every child must learn one trade or another that can assist him or her become productive and sustain himself or herself in society.

Governor Mbah disclosed that the contract for the construction of 135 of the 260 Smart schools to be established in every ward in the state has already been awarded and construction is in progress, while the contract for the construction of the remaining 125 will soon be awarded.

He assured that all the 260 Smart schools will be completed and come into operation by September 2025.

In the Health sector,the Governor Mbah-led administration is also working to establish a functional health system,’ TYPE 2 health centers will be built in all the 260 wards in the state. He disclosed that a contract for the construction of the TYPE 2 health centers in 30 wards has been awarded. He said the contract for an additional 100 such hospitals will be awarded soon by the state government.

Governor Mbah said the TYPE 2 health centers across the 260 wards in the state will help to curtail the high maternal mortality rate in Enugu state.

On the issue of epileptic power supply which is negatively affecting several socio-economic activities in the state, Governor Mbah explained that now the issue of power generation is no longer an ‘Exclusive list of the federal government, Enugu state government under his watch will look for alternative sources of generating and distributing power to sustain and boost socio-economic and commercial activities in the state.

He assured that the dream of alternative sources of electricity in Enugu state will be realized before the end of 2026.

Governor Mbah stated, “Electricity is a major infrastructural requirement for industrial development. We are going to set up Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission, as we tackle all legal and regulatory in achieving the objectives.

“Working with the private sector, We shall generate and distribute electricity in Enugu state by the end of 2026. We shall build new transmission lines and handle the distribution of power. We desire to ensure we have a steady power supply to businesses and households in Enugu state”.

Governor Mbah used the occassion of the town hall meeting to answer questions and give clarifications all issues bordering the citizens and Nigerians resident in Enugu state, represented by either their Town Union Executives,Traditional rulers,Civil Society Organisations, Faith based organisations,the Media,He0ads of parastatals, Nongovernmental organizations, Women and Youth organizations, National Association of Nigerian Students(NANS), etc.

Responding to the question of water reticulation in Enugu metropolis,Governor Mbah narrated the hindrances arising from replacing old asbestos pipes with imported galvanised pipes.He cautioned against reported cases of sabotage by water tanker drivers,stating the saboteurs should be prepared to face the full wrath of the law.

Governor Mbah out of passion said those who have built their houses on top of water pipeline routes will not have their houses diminished but compelled to pay for the cosr of digging new pipelines.

In response to questions to food insecurity, Governor Mbah emphasised that his administration is already implementing policies that would enhance agriculture and ensure massive production in various parts of the state.

The leadership of National Association of Nigerian Students(NANS),Enugu State Chapter,pleaded for reduction of tuition fees in tertiary instutions in the state and accommodating students whenever palliatives to cushion the adverse effects of the prevailing harsh economy is being shared in Enugu state.

Also during the question and answer session,Governor Mbah said his administration has not increased any levy paid as tax in the state but devised strategies where tax defaulters especially established enterprises that have been evading tax payments into the coffers of the state government over the years were captured.

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