UN declares intention to support Gov. Mbah’s bold vision

By, Chinelo Kodilichukwu  Enugu 

The United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, has declared intention to partner and support the bold and ambitious vision of Governor Peter Mbah’s administration in order to accelerate his development agenda as well as the global Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs.

The UNDP president representative in Nigeria, Miss Elsie Attafuah, made this known on Thursday when she led her team to the government house Enugu on a courtesy visit to the governor.

 UNDP is the United Nations’ global development network, working in nearly 170 countries and territories to help eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, and build resilience. 

Commending the governor for his numerous achievements in education, transportation, and tourism, among others, the UNDP president representative described him as a visionary leader and a pacesetter who has redefined governance with disruptive approach.

She extolled the governor’s audacious plan to make Enugu a premier destination for tourism, investment, business, living, as well as to grow the Gross Domestic Products to 30 billion dollars by 2030.

While seeking for the chosen areas where the UNDP can assist the state government in advancing innovation, digitalisation and knowledge economy, Miss Attafuah said the UNDP would be glad to support Mbah’s administration in the energy sector by providing mini grids to beef up electricity.

She noted that there would be no way development can be advanced without making energy an integral part, because of interception between industrialisation, Health and Education.

Acknowledging that Enugu is leading the way to show that good governance is possible in Africa, Miss Attafuah said the UNDP would like to partner the Enugu state government in trade, tourism, investment and financing.

Responding, the State Governor Dr Peter Mbah who could not hide his excitement, alluded to the areas where his administration has performed optimally.

He described the visit as where  preparedness meets opportunity, stating that Enugu plans to attract over three million people annually as the state now has its own airline and the ongoing construction of the five star hotel.

He maintained that the concept of inclusivity is the philosophy that underpins various policies and programmes of the state government, hence part of the reasons for building Smart Green School across the 260 political wards in the state to ensure that no child in the rural areas is denied the opportunity to quality education irrespective of his background.

The governor said Enugu would soon unveil the first zip line in Nigeria alongside other tourist sites such as Nsude pyramid, Pine forest, and a Cross of Hope which will be sitting about 580 metres above sea level, while the Cross itself will be over 100 metres, where people are expected to visit for their private intentions and prayers.