First Year Anniversary: We have kept our promises – Gov Nwifuru

Ebonyi state Governor, Francis Nwifuru has described his predecessor, Senator David Umahi as a father and mentor whose advise has contributed in shaping his administration’s achievementsso far.

 

The statement was contained in the address presented by the Governor during the grand finale of activities marking his first year anniversary in office.

 

The event was held Wednesday at the Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital.

 

Governor Nwifuru enumerated the achievements of his administration within one year to include full payment of backlog of gratuity arrears owed retirees since 1996, improvement in workers welfare through salary bonuses and other incentives, employment of 1,700 persons into the civil service to rejig the sector and improvement in health services delivery to the people through comprehensive equipment of the General hospitals across the state and recruitment of adequate health workers.

 

Listing over 50 urban and rural roads either ongoing or fully constructed within the period, he noted that his administration has taken steps to totally overhaul the infrastructure of the state in understanding that it forms a major requirement for further development,.

 

Nwifuru further noted that his administration has taken deliberate steps to improve security in the state, Agriculture, education, human capital development, commerce and industry, environment, border peace and conflict resolution, housing as well as Youth empowerment among others.

 

He stressed that his administration has maintained an open and all inclusive approach to governance based in his strong convinction that the people are the true owners of the government.

 

Nwifuru said: “In the last one year, therefore, we have been preoccupied with the onerous tasks of rekindling the hope and re-igniting the faith of Ndi Ebonyi in their government as encapsulated in the People’s Charter of Needs Agenda.

 

“The crux of the Agenda is our vision to give Ndi Ebonyi a focused and qualitative governance whilst creating the enabling environment for a public-private sector partnership, which is critical to the economic growth of the state and individual prosperity of Ndi Ebonyi.

 

“Within the last one year, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, we have taken governance above mere public relations gimmicks, to the level of actually delivering the people’s needs as enshrined in our people’s charter of needs.

 

“This government has been participatory and Inclusive.

 

“Let me therefore use this wonderful opportunity to also acknowledge the support and contributions of my dear father and mentor, the former Governor of our dear state, and by the special grace of God, who is today the Honourable Minister of Works, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Senator David Nweze Umahi.

 

“His wise counsel has helped us to maintain our promises of continuity and consolidation as we campaigned in 2023.”

 

Chairman of the occasion, former Secretary to the Government of the federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, in his remarks commended the Governor for entrenching unity, peace and mutual understanding and cooperation in the state which are the bedrock for development.

The event was massively attended from across all the local government areas of the state including past Governors, present and past State and National Assembly members, local government chairmen, traditional rulers the clergy and civil servants.

 

March past were observed by school children, while civil servants, labour and trade unions, also joined in solidarity March.

 

The event, well attended by all stakeholders and general Ebonyi public from all walks of life, including past Governors Sam Egwu and Martin Elechi; serving and past State and National Assembly members, also featured the cutting of the Anniversary Cake.