Ebonyi @ 29: Governor Nwifuru Is A Blessing Shared By All - Hon. Uchenna Stephen Igwe.
As Ebonyi people mark the 29th anniversary of the creation of Ebonyi State, The Nigerian Voice, spoke with Ebonyi State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Uchenna Stephen Igwe, JP. In the interview, Igwe, a protègé of Nwifuru, traced both the political and developmental history of Ebonyi State and gave insights into Builder Nwifuru's administration. Enjoy the excerpts.
Q: Talk us through the mood of Ebonyi people on the 29th anniversary of Ebonyi State?
R: The mood of Ebonyi people as we mark the 29th anniversary of Ebonyi State is high. They are very happy with the governance of His Excellency, Builder Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru. They rejoice that the governor has decentralized power to the grassroots: to the various local government areas, wards and local communities. In Ebonyi State today, Builder Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru is a blessing shared by all because he has positively improved the lives of all Ebonyians.
Q: How relevant is the celebration of the 29th anniversary of Ebonyi State and independence on the lives of Ebonyi people especially as it relates to the 2-and-half years administration of Governor Nwifuru?
R: It is very relevant to the people of Ebonyi State because we were in the old Anambra State and, later, Enugu State. In those settings, Ebonyi (Abakaliki people of Enugu State) was backward. We were not properly involved in government. It was after the creation of Ebonyi State by General Sani Abacha in 1996 that Ebonyi people began to enjoy the dividends of power under the military; and dividends of democracy under civilian administrations. The administration of Dr Sam Egwu introduced free education, princely overseas scholarships and facilitated the economic empowerment of Ebonyians. Chief Martin Nwanchor Elechi's administration connected the different parts of Ebonyi State with Unity Bridges, reformed Ebonyi bureaucracy, built the Oferekpe mega-water scheme as well as the modern Ocho-Udo secretariat complex. The Engr David Umahi administration revolutionized infrastructural development by introducing rigid pavement roads, built many overhead bridges, the Ebonyi Mall and a new Government House complex. Presently, my principal, His Excellency, Builder Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru is on the saddle. His Ebonyi People's Charter of Needs administration is centred on peace, welfare and comprehensive development.
Q: How has the ministry of Local Government and chieftaincy matters translated Governor Nwifuru's Ebonyi People's Charter of Needs policy at the grassroots for the benefit of Ebonyi communities?
R: Let first thank His Excellency, Builder Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, for giving my ministry free hand to operate. He has done well in terms of autonomy of the local government areas. The governor of Ebonyi State does not interfere in anything that happens in the local government. As their allocation comes from Abuja to into JAC account, it is going straight to the various local government area accounts. They are doing very well in making sure that they utilise the funds.
His Excellency, Builder Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru charged my ministry to make sure that the many crisis that were rocking the communities over traditional stool and town union leaderships are resolved. In fact, when we came in, we met 67 traditional rulers on ground out of 140 communities. The remaining 73 were immersed in crises which made the previous administration to make an executive order restraining coronations and town union elections in Ebonyi State. Governor Nwifuru said he was anchoring his administration on. As I speak to you now, my ministry has reconciled all community rifts including those of Onuenyim community in Ebonyi LGA which has lasted for 22 years, Ekwashi and Unwuezeaka communities in Ohaukwu LGA which lasted for 14 and 12 years respectively. My ministry has supervised the successful coronation of 80 traditional rulers including some of the newly created 15 autonomous communities. Except for communities where the traditional ruler passed recently, every autonomous community in Ebonyi State has effective leadership.
Q: As the commissioner in charge of the grassroots in Ebonyi State, how have the local government chairmen utilized their financial autonomy?
R: Yes, council chairmen of our various local government have done well. If you visit each local government you will see two or three signature projects that are ongoing, some of them have been completed in all the thirteen local governments. There's no local government without kilometres of rigid pavement roads built by the chairman, markets, hospitals, administrative blocks, schools and electricity projects ongoing. All these are evidences of infrastructural development and correct utilisation of the allocation coming from the federal government. I am encouraging them to do more.
Q: The recent policy by the state government to build duplex for traditional rulers in the state has been received with mixed feelings, while some applaud the project as a democratic symbol, others see it as perhaps wasteful spending of scarce State resources: Honourable commissioner, what is the vision behind the project?
R: Yes the vision behind the project of duplex for traditional rulers in Ebonyi State is that His Excellency came in with People's Charter of Needs mantra. He saw the need to build befitting palaces for traditional rulers in Ebonyi State. He is also constructing 2-kilometre concrete road to the palaces. The palace and project is important even though its significance can only be understood by Ebonyi people and those who know Ebonyi people and their background. It is heartwarming that the palace projects have been achieved 90 percent. By the special grace of God, all the palace projects would be completed on or before December 2025. The South East Traditional Rulers' Council and many other people have applauded Governor Nwifuru over the project.
Q: what are the greatest gains of Ebonyi people from the present administration?
R: Peace and coordinated development. You know that without peace, there cannot be development. This administration is equally developing all sectors, zones, local government areas and communities simultaneously. The children of the masses are studying in overseas universities courtesy of Governor Nwifuru who revived foreign and local university scholarship programmes. Nwifuru is the only governor in Nigeria who has not taken any loans. His children study in Ebonyi schools. Governor Nwifuru has revived Ebonyi health sector so much that he receives medicare from the same hospitals in Ebonyi State just like Ebonyi people. He is an exemplary leader.
Q: What is your final word to Ebonyi people as we round off!
R: My final advice and words to Ebonyians is to keep supporting the good governance of RT. Hon. Builder Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru by getting their voters registration process done and vote for him in the upcoming elections to keep enjoying the dividends of democracy.