Nkechinyere Ewa-Okpara
Emeka Nwonu, the Executive Secretary of the Ebonyi State Pension Board, has described peace and unity as the best infrastructural gifts that Governor Francis Nwifuru has provided to the people of Ebonyi during his two years in office.
In an interview with journalists in Abakaliki, Nwonu stated that under the current leadership, the residents of Ebonyi can now “sleep with both eyes closed.”
He emphasized that without the peace fostered by Governor Nwifuru, the state would not have experienced the significant developments it has witnessed in the past two years, especially in roads and human capital development.
Nwonu noted that Nwifuru has made a tremendous impact in various sectors, including health, agriculture, education, and empowerment, particularly in promoting peace in areas previously affected by conflict.
“For me, in all of this, aside from physical infrastructure, the best infrastructure that the government can provide for its people is the pervasive peace we now enjoy. Where there is peace, there is development. Where there is peace, there is progress. Just look at what recently happened in Ohaukwu local government, where the governor put an end to a crisis that had persisted for three years, along with resolving conflicts in other troubled areas of the state.”
The Executive Secretary also pointed out that there is no law stipulating that a governor must commission projects after two years in office. He urged people to avoid making unnecessary comparisons about what a governor should achieve in a certain timeframe. “There is no law that requires a governor to commission a project at the end of each year. People should be patient and judge a governor after two years, three years, or even four years into his first term; not based on arbitrary deadlines,” he stated.
“Sometimes, people make unwarranted comparisons. You can’t expect the governor to build new roads when the existing roads are sufficient. We have a well-constructed government house; there’s no need to build another one. The governor has prioritized our needs, focusing on human empowerment. He understands that for people to enjoy social amenities, they must first be alive. This is why he invests in human needs with support ranging from 2 million to 50,000, to help individuals start their ventures. Thus, I believe the government has made remarkable progress.”
Nwonu praised the governor’s ability to manage the state without borrowing. “He operates the government without seeking additional funds from outside. Instead, he is repaying debts left by the previous administration, which raises questions about how he manages to do so,” he remarked.
He acknowledged that considering the allocation from the federal government and the state’s low internal revenue, the financial situation is manageable. “Citizens are not overly taxed; they are taxed fairly based on their capabilities,” he added.
“The governor has delivered beyond his campaign promises, and the evidence of his achievements is visible for all to see, even the blind can perceive it.”
Nwonu highlighted improvements in the health sector, noting the recent distribution of medical supplies to general hospitals and significant salary increases for doctors, from 150,000 to 500,000. “This change aims to provide doctors with a better working environment that encourages effective salary delivery,” he explained.
At the state level, he noted that the government has made considerable advancements in health.
Regarding education, he pointed out that recent statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics ranked Ebonyi third in overall performance among states whose students participated in national exams.
“This achievement was possible because a conducive learning environment has been established, allowing students to study effectively. Teachers are also being compensated promptly and fairly,”.