Buhari’s peace mission to Igboland: Elders make crucial demand

– Governor Ugwuanyi urged President Buhari to fulfil his campaign promises

– He also asked him to pay debts owed by the federal government

– The governor applauded the president for providing bailout fund to states

President Muhammadu Buhari has been charged to fulfil the promises he made to Igbo land during the campaign period.

During the town hall meeting organised in Enugu state and attended by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and members of the state executive council, the president was charged to release fund to the region and also pay debts that the federal government was paying Enugu state.

Ugwuanyi said: “I recall the President’s campaign promise to revive the coal mines in Enugu and utilise it to generate electricity. Coal is a major energy source in some countries of the world and we have it in abundance in the state. If this is done, it will directly or indirectly create jobs for millions of Nigerians.

 “Work at the Ada Rice Farm Irrigation Project started by the Federal Government in the state in 2007, has since stopped at the site. This project is critical and important to the state government, following efforts to diversify the economy and make the country self-sufficient in rice production.

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“Of very critical importance to us is the Ada Rice Farm in Uzo Uwani Local Government Area. The project has the capacity for low gravity irrigation and has the potential of expansion to cover 10,000 hectares.

“Unfortunately, only 1,200 hectares of irrigable land have been fully developed. The Federal Government started the rehabilitation of the project in 2007. Sadly, progress in this regard has stalled.

“The Federal Government should re-evaluate the project to make it fully functional, to provide employment and boost economic activities in the area”.

 “The government of the state will in this regard appreciate the intervention of the Federal Government to ensure the payment of huge debts owed the state by some federal agencies and establishments in the state.

“They are the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and the Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu, which owe N2.3 billion, N10 billion and N190 million respectively in tax returns.

“These institutions have continued to owe even though the state government provides infrastructure and other ancillary supports to them.”

The governor applauded the government for providing bail-out fund t states.

“While we commend the Federal Government for providing the bailout funds, we do humbly appeal for the release of more resources to the states to enable them discharge their ever increasing responsibilities.

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“We request for Federal Government’s intervention in the rehabilitation of its roads linking the south-east states. They are in deplorable condition. He also called for the economic encouragement of the zone to stem capital flight by localising skills acquisition among the youths to increase productivity.

 “I thank the Minister of Information and Culture for bringing this meeting to the zone. I am convinced that the presence of these ministers will help usher in the new vista of development for Enugu State and other parts of the Southeast region.”

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