GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has said he has not tempered with funds accruing to local government councils, saying the projects so far executed in the state were done with federal allocations, grants or loans as well as internally generated revenue.
Ugwuanyi gave the explanation at Nsukka during a grand reception in his honour by the people of Nsukka town in recognition of his aggressive development of infrastructure in the area.
The governor noted that the achievements his administration had recorded in the state were in line with the collective decision of the state’s stakeholders, whom he said, “graciously approved our plans for the development of the state especially with regards to critical infrastructure and provision of essential amenities.”
He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to equitable development of the state, adding that he was delighted with massive support and prayers he had received from the people of the state.
“You will recall that in the course of our electioneering campaigns, we made promises regarding the development of Nsukka and other parts of the state.
“Also in my inaugural address, we promised to pay a special attention to rural development and to create more urban areas to boost economic growth. In line with this, we pledged to equip and modernise Nsukka – a university town founded over half a century ago – to compete with other university towns in attracting technology and knowledge-based businesses and other industrial support ventures.
“Shortly afterwards, we called a meeting of stakeholders of Enugu State at the Old Government Lodge, Enugu during which the stakeholders, graciously approved our plans for the development of the state especially with regards to critical infrastructure and provision of essential amenities.
“The State House of Assembly also approved a supplementary budget for the execution of vital developmental projects and other services. It is therefore apparent that the achievements of this administration, has been the result of a collective effort”, he added.
The governor noted that expressed gratitude to the people of Nsukka town for the reception, stressing that the projects done at Nsukka such as the construction of vital roads; the installation of street lights, the upgrading of health and other public facilities, among others, had given the university town a new look and improved the lives of the people in the area.
In his welcome address, the president-general of Nsukka Town Union, Chief Donatus Chinweaku said that Nsukka town prior to the assumption of Ugwuanyi’s administration was in a pitiable condition due to lack of infrastructure and other basic amenities.
He thanked God for the Ugwuanyi’s vision and support of the State House of Assembly and stakeholders of the state for the development of the university town of Nsukka.
“Your Excellency, we lack words to express our immeasurable joy for having a brave and courageous Lion like you. Today, Nsukka history will never be complete without mentioning you in a special way. This is because what the town had been yearning for has been made real, physical and evidence-based in terms of getting commensurate democratic dividends given our unalloyed and total support for your administration”, the president-general concluded.
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