Subsidy withdrawal facilitator of devt., says Mbah
Petrol subsidy removal freed up cash to enable governors undertake projects for the benefit of their people, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah said yesterday.
Mbah stated this when Information and National Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris visited him.
Idris arrived in Enugu for a two-day Citizens’ Engagement Series in the Southeast geo-political zone.
Also yesterday, Mbah took a giant step to modernise transportation in Enugu with the inauguration of five ultramodern transport terminals in various parts of the state in line with his integrated blueprint for a modern and multimodal transport ecosystem
Receiving Idris, Mbah said: “For us in Enugu, we are able to accomplish all we promised our people during the campaign, thanks to the bold decision taken by President Bola Tinubu, which has freed up resources needed to execute humongous capital projects,” .
He listed some of the projects as including building of 7,000 classrooms, 3,300 hospital beds and 2,000-hectare of 260 farm estates across the 260 wards of the state.
Mbah also pledged more support for the policies of the Federal Government, saying they are in the best interest of the people .
The governor launched 100 of the 200 CNG Mass Transit buses acquired by the administration, the Enugu State Modern Transport System as well as over 80 modern bus shelters built.
The terminals visited and personally inaugurated were the Holy Ghost Terminal 1 (Enugu Central Station 1), designated for interstate transport; Holy Ghost Terminal 2 (Enugu Central Station 2) for intercity transport; Nsukka Terminal (Nsukka Central Station); Abakpa Nike Terminal (Abakpa Central Station), and Gariki Terminal (Gariki Central Station).
Mbah said the projects was the Phase 1 of the transport policy, in line with his vision to grow the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion.
Addressing supporters at the Holy Ghost Terminal 2, the governor recalled that until the commencement of the project in late 2023, the Holy Ghost area was “practically a synonym for chaotic traffic and general disorderliness.”
“We knew that our goal to make Enugu the most livable city in Nigeria will be a futile bid if we were unable to tackle problems such as persistent traffic gridlock.
“So, from the very first day of this administration, we made a promise: to build a world-class transport system that moves people, connects businesses and communities, and, crucially, that rightfully positions Enugu State as a model of modern governance, sustainable growth, and human dignity.
“Today’s commissioning of the newly completed world-class terminals and the CNG Bus Mass Transit Scheme is indeed, beyond a ribbon-cutting exercise. It ushers in a whole new experience; fundamentally connecting our vision to action, and our action to the daily lives of the over seven million residents of Enugu State.”
He also described the terminals as catalysts for economic development and “engines of economic revival.”
“They represent our capacity to deliver projects that empower Ndi Enugu and set our state on a robust trajectory of growth.
“Already, this project is creating jobs, stimulating SMEs, and positioning Enugu to compete with Africa’s best. Through it, we’re creating over 20,000 jobs across BRT, 2,000 hybrid city taxis, airport operations, ride-hailing and support services.”
He said that the Enugu Transport Management system would eliminate corruption that had been the bane of government enterprises to ensure sustainability, counting on an e-ticketing system that eliminates leakages, guarantees transparency, and ensures every payment is accounted for.
“Commuters simply need to purchase a ticket and top-up as they find suitable. Remarkably, a single valid ticket grants the holder access to other buses. Importantly, our comprehensive insurance coverage protects both the assets and the people who use them,” he stated.
Mbah thanked President Tinubu for his commitment to the state’s development.
“Through words and deeds, the President has demonstrated a sincere love and support towards Enugu – and indeed the South East’s progress. An example is the concession of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, which would clearly re-position Enugu as an aviation and economic hub.
‘So, we commend the President because no administration has given as much support to the sub-nationals as this President has done, he added.
In his goodwill message, the Programme Director/CEO of the Presidential Initiative on CNG, Michael Oluwagbemi, an engineer, who was represented by Tari Mayor-Bright, also an engineer, commended Governor Mbah for the ultramodern terminal and massive deployment of CNG buses.
“This is not just infrastructure, but a bold step in setting up a modern transportation system geared towards a cleaner, safer and more affordable transport for the people of Enugu State,” he stated.
Also, the Managing Director of contractors, Planet Project Construction Company, Biodun Otunola, said that building five terminals simultaneously was unprecedented.
“No administration has ever done this before since the history of Nigeria. We are in this industry and we have the records,” he stated.
He described the terminals as products of a good research and political will of the governor to get things done.
At the various locations, the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Obi Ozor; Council Chairman of Enugu North Local Government Area, Dr. Ibenaku Onoh; Chairman of Nsukka Local Government Area, Jude Asogwa, an engineer; Chairman, Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Samuel Asadu; Chairman, Ogige Market Traders Association, Onyema Idoko; President, Nsukka General Assembly, Clinton Ogbonna; Chairman, Enugu East Local Government Area, Beloved Dan-Anike; Traditional Ruler of Nike, Igwe Julius Nnaji; Chairman, Enugu South Local Government Area, Caleb Ani and the Chairman, Enugu South Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Mike Nna Ukwu, expressed the people’s joy over the projects and buses. They described them as economic catalysts.
