…Insists on zero tolerance for insecurity
… As council chairmen commend governor on LG financial autonomy
On Monday, Enugu State Governor Dr. Peter Mbah inaugurated the 17 newly elected Local Government Council chairmen and their deputies, urging them to immediately implement people-centered projects and programs aligned with their campaign promises.
Mbah instructed the new chairmen to relocate to their council areas, declaring that the days of council chairmen living distanced from their communities were over. He urged them to engage with his administration’s Smart Green School initiative, rural infrastructure projects, and agricultural programs to combat crime and provide a brighter future for Enugu’s children and youth.
“I closely followed your campaigns and the promises you made to your constituents. Many of you referenced our motto, ‘Tomorrow Is Here.’ Let me clarify what this slogan represents: it emphasizes the urgency of our responsibilities and the need to tackle problems without delay. The tomorrow we aspire to is attainable, but only if we embrace innovation. This is why we must focus on disruptive innovation.
“The time for mere talk is past; the honeymoon is over. It’s time to turn your commitments into action. What the people expect now is to hear how and when you will address the challenges that have hindered their development for years. It’s time to explore creative solutions,” Mbah stated.
He also urged the chairmen to support the state’s fight against insecurity, emphasizing that progress cannot occur without peace.
“We maintain a zero tolerance policy for crime and insecurity in Enugu State. If you want to attract industries and foster development in your local governments, peace and security must come first,” he asserted.
Mbah stressed the importance of inclusive governance, encouraging the chairmen to administer their councils from within their LGAs.
“Your governance model must center around the people. Eradicate any feelings of alienation and deliver the benefits of democracy to everyone.
“Consider the basic needs of your communities. We face challenges in every sector. Think creatively about how to address these issues, generate wealth, and create jobs.
“But this cannot be done from afar. You cannot lead effectively from the city. You must be present with your constituents. The era of local government chairmen governing remotely or by proxy is over. We will not tolerate any chairmen who do not lead from their local governments,” he emphasized.
Responding on behalf of his colleagues, Hon. Okechukwu Edeh, Chairman of Nkanu East LGA, assured the new chairmen they would convey the governor’s various development initiatives to the grassroots.
“We are fortunate to serve in this highly digitalized, innovative, and dynamic administration. Some leaders fail not out of desire, but due to a lack of exemplary figures to emulate. With you as our governor, we know you are driven by a desire for achievement. We will not let you or the people of Enugu State down,” Okechukwu promised.
In a separate discussion with Government House correspondents, Hon. Obiora Obeagu, council chairman of Isi-Uzo LGA and serving his second term, commended Governor Mbah’s administration for advancing projects typically managed by local governments and for providing financial support.
“Regarding local government autonomy, as I begin my second term, it’s important to note how the state government invests in local governance. For instance, primary education is the responsibility of local governments, yet we have Smart Schools initiatives underway in all 260 wards of Enugu State, each project valued at over one billion naira—an expense that no local government can bear alone.
“Since the governor restructured the Economic Planning Commission, he has consistently supported us through this platform. We have established a partnership whereby the governor funds 60 percent of capital projects initiated by local governments. We have 260 Type Healthcare Centers across the state, demonstrating how this partnership positively impacts the grassroots,” he explained.
Chairman of Udenu LGA, Aka Eze Aka, pledged to implement innovative rural development strategies in alignment with Governor Mbah’s vision.
