Mbah presents scorecard, recalls Enugu’s challenges in 2023

….Highlights gains

By Venica Uchechukwu, Enugu

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has presented his administration’s performance scorecard, recalling the security, infrastructure and economic challenges inherited in 2023, while highlighting what he described as significant progress across critical sectors of the state.

Mbah, who spoke at a manifesto performance update organized at the Peter Mbah Law Auditorium, Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, has said his administration had made substantial progress towards restoring the state’s position as a preferred destination for living, business, investment and tourism.

The governor said the exercise, themed “Our Commitment to Ndi Enugu: The Journey So Far,” was a fulfillment of his commitment to accountability under the Citizens Charter, established through Executive Order 001, which he signed shortly after assuming office on May 29, 2023.

Recalling his manifesto presentation at the same venue in October 2022, ahead of the 2023 governorship election, Mbah said returning to account for his administration’s performance was part of his obligation to the people who entrusted him with leadership.

He painted a picture of the challenges confronting the state when he assumed office, particularly the economic disruption caused by sit-at-home orders, deteriorating infrastructure and declining public confidence in Enugu’s economic prospects.

“Think back to May 2023, when we first assumed office. Think about the condition of our state, the difficulties we faced, and the expectations we had,” he said.

The governor recalled that businesses, schools and other economic activities were severely affected by the sit-at-home situation, forcing traders and other residents who depended on daily earnings to lose productive working hours.

“There was a time when Monday was no longer an ordinary working day in Enugu. Shops remained closed. Roads were deserted. Parents were afraid to send their children to school. People who depended on their daily earnings had to surrender an entire day’s income because others had decided they should remain indoors. That was the reality we inherited,” he stated.

Mbah also identified poor road infrastructure, deteriorating public services, struggling educational institutions and underfunded health facilities as some of the challenges that confronted his administration at inception.

He further lamented the declining economic relevance of Enugu, noting that businesses and major events were increasingly moving to other cities, while the state’s airport recorded barely two incoming flights daily at the time.

However, the governor said his administration had recorded significant progress in addressing the challenges, citing improvements in security, education, healthcare, agriculture, tourism, transportation and other critical sectors.

According to him, restoring public confidence and creating an environment where residents could freely conduct their businesses had provided the foundation for broader economic development.

“Today, people are going about their business with a freedom that had been denied to them for far too long.

“A trader can plan a full working week. Children can attend school. Businesses can receive customers, move goods and keep their employees working. That security gave us a foundation upon which other changes could begin,” he said.

The governor linked the interventions to his administration’s broader economic vision of eradicating poverty and expanding Enugu’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion.

He maintained that the achievements recorded so far were part of a wider development agenda aimed at creating economic opportunities, strengthening public institutions and improving the living conditions of residents.

Mbah, however, acknowledged that more work remained to be done, urging residents to recognize the progress made while joining hands with his administration to accelerate the state’s development.

“The changes are visible, and the scale of our ambition is becoming clearer. We should take pride in what has been achieved, while recognizing how much remains to be done,” he said.

He called on residents, professionals, business owners, youths and other stakeholders to contribute their ideas, skills and resources towards building a prosperous and sustainable Enugu State.

“This is one moment in the long history of Enugu. This is a moment of extraordinary possibility for our people. And I believe this is the moment we must seize. The work we have begun needs the commitment of all of us,” he added.

The governor said his administration was committed to leaving behind stronger institutions, a more productive economy, improved opportunities for children and communities capable of taking pride in their collective achievements.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of Godfrey Okoye University, Prof. Christian Anieke, recalled that Mbah had presented his manifesto at the institution in 2022 before eventually winning the 2023 governorship election.

Anieke commended the governor for returning to the university to present an account of his stewardship, describing the exercise as an important demonstration of accountability and democratic responsibility.

He urged other political office holders to emulate the practice by regularly returning to the people to explain their performance and demonstrate how far they had fulfilled the promises made during electioneering campaigns.

The vice-chancellor also described the achievements of the Mbah administration as visible and verifiable, noting that residents could assess several of the government’s projects and interventions across the state.

The event attracted a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including academics, students, civil society organizations, business owners, professional associations and media practitioners.