Following the Executive Leadership Retreat for newly elected Local Government Council Chairmen, Hon. Okey Sydney Edeh, Chairman of Nkanu East Local Government and leader of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Enugu State, has commended Governor Peter Mbah’s administration for transforming Enugu State into a thriving economic hub and tourist destination.

In his Christmas message, Edeh acknowledged the governor’s efforts in achieving a $30 billion GDP target, focusing on sustainable economic practices and infrastructure development. He noted the administration’s milestones include the establishment of Slum resettlement of Mass Housing at Satellite Estate Akpuoga Nike, Enugu, with a target of 200,000 housing units.

The Enugu State ALGON Chairman equally noted that the state under the Governor administration has also recorded significant growth in its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), increasing from N37.4bn at the end of 2023 to N144.7bn in September 2024, representing a 286.2% increase.

The government has made significant strides in infrastructure development, including the expansion of Air Enugu services with the acquisition of additional aircraft, the development of a tourist hotel at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, construction of 71 roads, and a 40-kilometer dual carriageway. The administration has also installed CCTV cameras across the state, with over 80% of the Enugu Metropolis covered, to enhance security and surveillance.

In the education sector, the administration has allocated 33% of the state’s budget to education, exceeding UNESCO’s recommended benchmark of 15-20%. The government has also established 260 Smart Green Schools across the state, with each school featuring modern facilities, including interactive digital whiteboards, internet systems, and robotics and artificial intelligence centers. Furthermore, the administration has provided 100,000 heaters to support healthcare services, in line with UNESCO’s recommendations.

The government has also developed agricultural projects across the three senatorial zones of the state, providing support to farmers and enhancing food security. In the area of housing, the administration has established a Slum resettlement of Mass Housing at Satellite Estate Akpuoga Nike, Enugu, with a target of 200,000 housing units. The government has also launched a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) project to support energy needs and stimulate energy transition in the state.

Edeh also noted that the government recently recruited 450 health workers to strengthen the primary healthcare system with a broader initiative to improve healthcare delivery and ensure universal health coverage across the state. The newly recruited staff will work in various roles, including medical officers, nurses, pharmacists, community health extension workers, and others, spread across the state’s 260 primary healthcare centers.

Security was another key topic during the retreat, emphasizing the need for collaboration between local government councils and state security agencies. With “ICT is a game changer in governance. The Mbah administration is rolling out digital solutions that will help local councils streamline their operations, reduce bureaucracy, and entrench good governance.

Edeh expressed his gratitude to the governor for his inclusive leadership and pledged the unflinching loyalty of the Council Chairmen and Counsellors to the Mbah administration. He concluded by wishing Ndị Enugu an eventful New Year and sustainable achievements.

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