Enugu State’s Peter Mbah informed President Bola Tinubu over the weekend that the Indigenous People of Biafra, or IPOB, have ended their sit-at-home campaign in the South East and that they are no longer following commands from non-state actors.
During President Tinubu’s official visit to Enugu State to commission projects carried out by his administration, the governor revealed this information during a meeting of stakeholders.
Speaking about the security measures his government is implementing, the governor stated that his vision for the state can come to fruition when “security is guaranteed, quality education thrives, and citizens can access affordable healthcare.”
Ending “the illegal sit-at-home order imposed across the Southeast” was one of the measures the governor described as being taken to improve public safety in the state.
“We no longer observe sit-at-home in Enugu,” he remarked. We no longer follow commands from non-state actors, and our employees report to work every day of the week.
“The removal of the fuel subsidy, the unification of the foreign exchange, and several social interventions that your government continues to provide for the people of this country are examples of the courageous pronouncements you made to free up funds for development,” the governor informed the president.
“Now that those monies have been released, we can basically finish projects completely. Additionally, social and digital infrastructure are ongoing, in addition to physical infrastructure, the governor stated.
The President listened to the wishes of former Minister of Power Professor Chinedu Nebo and Enugu State native Chris Ugoh during the stakeholders meeting with South East leaders, primarily from Enugu State, and promised to address their problems.
Nebo urged the President to give the completion of the remaining rail connection segments first priority, even as he praised the Tinubu administration for finishing the Port Harcourt to Aba segment of the Eastern rail line.
He emphasized how the train link may increase Nigeria’s economic growth and non-oil exports.
According to Ugoh, the Anambra Basin has the capacity to sustain industrial feedstocks and electricity generation.
In order to help the southeast and other parts of the nation, such as the Middle Belt and the North, he urged the federal government to exploit this resource.
The South East’s National Commissioner on the Police Service Commission, Onyemauche Nnamani, encouraged the federal government to adopt contemporary security measures in the area, similar to Enugu State’s patrol cars equipped with surveillance cameras and statewide CCTV system.
“It is inefficient and exposes our security personnel to attacks by non-state actors,” Nnamani said, urging the federal government to lessen the emphasis on the expansion of checkpoints and roadblocks in the area.
“It is a work in progress,” President Tinubu assured the crowd in response to the rail line request. I’m determined to find solutions to some of these pressing issues that I inherited.
“On the gas infrastructure’s support.” Yes, gas is a substitute for gasoline. Investing more on it is a better use of time than wasting it. We’ll work together, and I’m fortunate to have capable governors.
President Tinubu commended former Senate President Ken Nnamani for rescuing Nigeria’s democracy from those who sought to destroy it with the Third Term project, while acknowledging the presence of other dignitaries, such as governors, traditional rulers, captains of industry, and current and former presiding officers of the National Officer from the South East.
After launching a number of state government projects earlier in the meeting, President Tinubu commended Governor Peter Mbah for his development model and attitude.
He promised that the federal government will keep helping states like Enugu with their development initiatives.
The GTC Smart Green School, New Haven/Bisalla Road, the International Conference Center, the Command-and-Control Center, and 150 patrol cars with security cameras are among of the projects the President has officially opened.
Other noteworthy projects from the Enugu State Government House were also virtually commissioned by the president.
The President stated that investments in security will result in quick development during the Command-and-Control Center’s inauguration.
“This is a powerful example of what we can do when we work together. It gives me peace of mind that additional money flowing to local and subnational governments is not a waste. It’s for growth.
“We have dedicated leaders like Peter Mbah who are guiding Enugu toward the growth of the twenty-first century, elevating the city to new heights, and creating our tomorrow now.
The governor, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member, was also praised by President Tinubu for exhibiting an unwavering dedication to human development.
“You are my friend, regardless of the party you belong to. Abia State’s Alex Otti is also performing admirably. It has nothing to do with linguistic and geographic distinctions.
“The mother tongue is not within any of our control. God made us, and you might be in Lagos, Onitsha, or Enugu. Although we all reside in separate rooms of the same house, we are all part of the same large family known as Nigeria.
He declared, “We have to build this house to meet our needs now and in the future.”
Governor Mbah characterized President Tinubu as a true federalist at the interactive session.
He praised the Tinubu administration’s creation of the South East Development Commission and the electrical Act (Amendment), which liberalized the electrical industry.
He acknowledged the President’s efforts to revitalize Nigeria’s economic resiliency and progress, and congratulated him on being awarded ThisDay Man of the Year.
Your credentials as a true federalist are impressive, and your accomplishments will garner you a lot of praise for a long time.
“You liberalized the production, transmission, and distribution of energy by signing the energy Act (Amendment) Bill. That one deed will always be remembered as a lasting legacy.
The fact that Enugu State was the first sub-national to receive regulatory control over the local power market from the NERC is notable. That shows how quickly we are working toward our objectives,” he remarked.
The governor claims that the South East Development Commission will complement the numerous development advancements taking place around the state by addressing the ecological and infrastructure issues in the area.
In order to place Enugu among the top three states in Nigeria in terms of GDP, Governor Mbah reaffirmed his goal of growing the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion in just four years.
He claimed that when residents have access to reasonably priced healthcare, high-quality education flourishes, and security is ensured, this ambitious goal can come true.