AHEAD of the re-scheduled 2019 general elections, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has called on the people of the state to come out en-masse and exercise their civic responsibility, urging them to eschew bitterness and rancour before, during and after the polls.
Ugwuanyi gave the advice yesterday at Ikem Etiti and Isu Ehaagu communities in Isi-Uzo Local Government of Enugu State, during the formal presentation of the first tranche of money for the construction of Civic Centre and Bus-Culvert by the General Manager of the State Agency for Community and Social Development Project (CSDP), Dr Maximus Asogwa.
The governor who was represented by the CSDP boss, Dr Asogwa, said he was optimistic that the elections would be hitch-free, stressing that Enugu remains one of the safest states in the country.
According to him, the state government had no difficulty in keying into the World Bank assisted projects because it is in line with his regime’s 4-point agenda which principally focused on alleviating the sufferings of the people of the state.
In their separate speeches, the royal fathers, Igwes Felix Ogbuke and Samuel Ogbodo lauded Governor Ugwuanyi for his aggressive development in infrastructure, adding that they would mobilise their subjects to reciprocate his gesture by turning out in large numbers to support his re-election bid come February 23, this year.
The royal fathers noted that their people had been neglected by successive regimes until the present administration came to their rescue, stressing the bus-culvert and civic centre would go a long way to improve the lives of their people.
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“Enthusiasm shown by our people today underscores how overwhelmed we are seeing these projects brought to our community,” Igwe Ogbodo added.
Earlier, the General Manager of CSDP, Dr Asogwa, urged the people to use the fund given them judiciously, stressing that they should count themselves lucky for being part of the beneficiaries of the World Bank assisted projects among the over 500 competing communities in the state.
Dr Asogwa who disclosed that he had visited six other communities namely Obe-Ugwu in Nkanu West Local Government, Umuogbo-Uno in Igboeze North Local Government and Obeagu-Oduma in Aninri Local Government for a similar function, noted, ” there is peace in these communities and the people have respect for the leadership of their respective community.”
Other projects expected to take off with the initial funds disbursed by the CSDP included water borehole, classroom blocks, an extension of electricity, access road, etc.
Tribune Online which witnessed the presentations of cheques to the benefitting communities observed that the people turned out en masse to welcome their visitors as they thrilled the audience with drums and cultural dance.
All the speakers including the President-Generals of the benefitting communities agreed that the projects extended to them would reduce poverty and other challenges facing them, commending the state governor, management of CSDP and World Bank for coming to their aid.
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