JAY JAY OKOCHA GETS APPOINTMENT IN ENUGU
The Governor while presenting the committees’ terms of reference, expressed the desire of his administration to perform better in its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) growth and other economic indices to improve the socio-economic wellbeing of the people of Enugu State.
Penpushing further reports that, he stated that the finance committee shall assist in designing “a roadmap to further boost positive returns on our assets, increase our IGR and optimize outcomes of development partner support.”
The Governor said the strategy was also in keeping with President Muhammadu Buhari’s call on state Governors to prioritise their IGR drive for the wellbeing of their people, noting that “the economic viability of States in Nigeria is benchmarked on the parity between their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and their share of federal account allocations”.
He said “although Enugu State is currently ranked as the 7th most economically viable state in Nigeria, we seek to perform better for the sake of improving the lives of our people and fulfilling our electoral promises.”
Penpushing also reports that, on agriculture and rural development, the Governor, noted that Enugu is predominantly a rural and agrarian state, with a substantial proportion of its working population engaged in farming.
The Governor emphasised that the committee, is expected to design a workable roadmap to boost farming/agro-allied businesses in the state to generate mass employment and proffer a sustainable strategy to boost orderly and integrated development of the rural areas.
Penpushing further reports that, the Governor described the youth as the engine of economic growth, pointed out that Enugu State has sports talents who have won laurels within and outside the shores of the country, stressing that programmes and sponsorship are required to continue discovering and developing these youthful talents.
“The committee on youths and sports development will proffer strategies for achieving this, and for engaging the youth in sports development, character building, entrepreneurship, skills acquisition and participation in good governance,” he added.
The Governor also emphasised the need to articulate a sustainable environmental management strategy that will deploy different initiatives to address various ecological issues affecting the state and forestall ecological disasters and environmental crisis.
Penpushing reports that, Ugwuanyi disclosed that the committee on the sector “is expected to dutifully look at the totality of our interaction with terrestrial, aquatic and atmospheric environment for sustainable development, having due regard to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem balance”.
The Governor further stated that the committee on lands, housing and transport is also expected to undertake a situation analysis of Enugu State’s potentials and enviable status as one of the safest states in Nigeria to live in, ranking second in Ease of Doing Business and third in Ease of Starting Business, that has witnessed a growing demand for land, housing and transport.
His words, “To meet these demands, we intend to improve our land administration and management, boost orderly housing development and establish a modern intra-state transport system.
The Governor while appreciating members of the committees for accepting to serve the state, expressed confidence that they will deploy their wealth of experience, expertise and commitment to add value to the governance of Enugu State.
Penpushing reports the Chairman of Sustainable Environmental and Urban Management Sector, Smart Uchegbu, responding on behalf of other members of the five newly inaugurated committees, thanked the Governor for assembling “the cream of professionals” to carry out the all-important assignment.
The Chairman expressed delight at the pioneering innovation adopted by the Governor to improve service delivery and good governance in Enugu State, saying: “I am really overwhelmed that for the first time, we see a dynamic governor joyfully assembling a cream of professionals to work with him, to assist him achieve more of what he has already achieved”.
Penpushing also reports that, he commended the numerous achievements of the Governor towards the rapid development of the State, adding that he was proud that “Enugu State is number one state in the area of security and one of the cleanest and most beautiful states in Nigeria” and firmly in the hands of God.
The committee boss expressed satisfaction with the governor’s empowerment programmes, especially in the area of job creation, maintaining that the “history of Enugu State can never be said without somebody like you who has always been directed by God Almighty”.
