Talk:Nkanu West

2012 article.enugu highlights

ENSG approves N 2.8m for transformers at Mechanic village (23rd October 2012) The Enugu State government has approved the installation of electricity distribution transformers worth over twenty-eight million naira (N28,557,803) at the new Mechanic Village at Ugwuaji, a Satellite Village near the State capital.

The State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chuks Ugwoke said that approval for the installation of the transformers was given by the State Executive Council during its twentieth meeting chaired by the Acting Governor of the State, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi in Enugu.

According to him, the installation of the distribution transformers will also help facilitate the movement of the mechanics to the village.

Mr. Ugwoke who was briefing the press at the end of the meeting of the council said that the project will be executed through direct labour.

The Commissioner who was accompanied by the Senior Special Assistance the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Mr. Afam Okereke restated the determination of the State Governor to ensure smooth and early movement of the mechanics to the village and decongest and restore the esthetics of the Coal City.

Mr. Ugwoke also told the press that the council received reports from various ministries departments and agencies on the relocation to their distinct new locations as work had since started at the new Secretariat site.

Firm to invest N1.5 billion US dollars in Enugu Coal Power Plant (15th October 2012) A foreign business concern, Green Pheonic Energy International has disclosed plans to establish a Coal Power Plant in Enugu at the cost of 1.5 billion US dollars. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company Mr. Brain Ransom who disclosed this during a courtesy call on the Acting Governor of Enugu State Mr Sunday Onyebuchi, stated that the proposed plant would be capable of generating about 200 mega watts of electricity.

He added that the company would also be involved in water treatment and preservation of food crops while serving as a great source of empowerment and economic development for the people of the state. Mr. Brian Ransom noted that the duration of their operations in Enugu would be up to 30 years, adding that before commencement of their programme, they would visit communities in the state to identify their problems and areas of needs. The Chief Executive further stated that the company had visited Lagos and other places in Nigeria before coming to Enugu, stressing that he took delight in the work ethics of the youths in Lagos and Enugu States.

In his reaction, the Acting Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi disclosed that necessary facilities for investment have been provided in Enugu State to lure investors.

The Acting Governor explained that right from the time coal was discovered and United African Company (UAC) established, Enugu had played a major role in the socio-economic development of the country as the capital of Eastern Region, East Central State and today capital of Enugu State.

The Governor urged the management of the establishment to find Enugu as conducive as the early Europeans, emphasizing that the people are hardworking and hospitable to visitors.

Acting Governor Onyebuchi said that out of the over 400 communities in the state, each have primary and secondary schools, adding that apart from good governance, Enugu has good roads, hospitals, security and other important infrastructures that would enhance investment.

He also noted that the state has the first indigenous university in the country and assured them of the state co-operation in their business bid.

Governor Chime hale and hearty- Commissioner (15th October 2012)

The Enugu State has dismissed as cheap and mischievous a false media report which claimed that the State Governor, Sullivan Iheanacho Chime is ill and was being treated abroad, reaffirming that he is “hale and hearty.”

Reacting to a report published in the Sunday Punch of 14th October, 2012, the State Commissioner for Information, Mr Chuks Ugwoke stated that the Governor was enjoying his vacation, the first he has taken since he was sworn into office five years ago.

He stressed that contrary to the reporter’s claim that the Governor’s last public appearance was on September 9, 2012, Chime had actually presided over the State Executive Council meeting on September 18, 2012 where he announced to all the members that he was proceeding on his annual leave and constitutionally handed over the reins of power to his deputy, Sunday Onyebuchi who is today the Acting Governor of the State.

The Commissioner further pointed out that Governor Chime also attended a meeting of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum in Abuja on Wednesday, September 19, 2012 and travelled out the next day on his vacation adding that “all these facts are verifiable”.

He stated that it was also very uncharitable for the same reporter to falsely claim that the Acting Governor was limited in the discharge of his responsibilities while also wondering why a journalist would deliberately go out of his way to publish outright falsehood about a person’s health status.

“Having said all these, we want to reaffirm that the Government of His Excellency Sullivan Iheanacho Chime will continue to promote freedom of expression while also maintaining its cherished reputation of civility and accommodation of all shades of opinion, including constructive criticisms from the media and other quarters,” the Commissioner added.

Chime restates commitment to revival of Culture and Tourism (26th September 2012)

Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has restated the determination of his administration to make the state the destination for Culture and Tourism in the country. Governor Chime gave the assurance through the chief of Staff Government House Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo in an address on the occasion of the unveiling of the 2012 Cultural and Tourism Fiesta secretariat at Nike Lake Resort Hotel Enugu. The governor added that the Feista which is now an annual event in the State is intended to showcase the rich cultural heritage and Tourism Potentials of the State. The state Chief Executive regretted that Western way of life had eaten deep into the fabrics of our people, our culture, and called on Nigerians especially the Igbos to resist all negative influence of foreign culture in their lives. Governor Chime called on the people of the state both at home and in Diaspora to endeavour to witness this year’s cultural activities which he said would be extra ordinary and eventful. The Governor commended all those working tirelessly to make the event a success especially some corporate bodies that assist government to make this year’s fiesta a huge success. Earlier in an address, the state commissioner for culture and Tourism, Mr. Joe Mammel announced that this year’s Fiesta will last for 10 days, beginning from the 13th to 22ndof December 2012. The Commissioner enumerated some activities that would feature during the fiesta to include, symposium, award night, Christmas Carol and Cultural day. Others are Cultural Food fare to showcase our peoples cultural menu, Children’s beauty peagent, visits to some tourist centres, family jamborees and carnival street route movement in Enugu among others. According to Mr. Mammel, the fiesta would come to a climax with Cultural dance from South African and masquerade events from different parts of Nigeria would perform. The Commissioner commended Governor Chime for his assistance to make the event a success, assuring the people that the 2012 fiesta would be unique. The unveiling programme featured different cultural dances and cultural displays and a melodious song performance by little Miss Grace Ifeyinwa Christopher, a J.S. one student from Queens Schools, Enugu. The highlight of the event was the presentation of a Souvenir to the Chief of Staff, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for her contribution towards a successful hosting of the 2012 fiesta.

ENUGU MOVES TO AID LG PENSIONERS (26th September 2012) The Enugu State Economic Planning Commission has approved an upward review of the Local government council monthly contribution to the councils staff pensions Board from ninety million naira (N90,000,000) to one hundred and sixty million naira (160,000,000). The state Commissioner for information, Mr. Chuks Ugwoke, who announced this while briefing the press at the end of the Commission’s meeting presided over by Governor Sullivan Chime in Enugu, said that the review is to enable the Board meet up with the payment of local government pensioners. Mr. Ugwoke explained that the review is an interim measure to alleviate the plight of pensioners, pending the verification of the pensioner’s list by the various Local Government council areas in the state. The commissioner who was accompanied at the press briefing by the chairman of Enugu east local government Prince Cornelius Nnaji and his Oji River local government counterpart, Mr. Gab. Onuzulike said that the meeting also took time to review the states of certain projects under construction by the chairmen in the various council areas, especially provision of roads and electricity with a view to ensuring that Government extends these facilities to the rural communities. According to Commissioner Ugwoke, after the review the chairman of the local government commission Lady Bridget Orjiekwe and the Governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime commended the council chairmen and enjoined them to redouble their efforts towards taking development deeper to the grassroots. The state Information Commissioner added that the Governor used the occasion to thank the Local Government Council Chairmen for the strides they are making in the various council areas and assured that the state Government was committed to partnering with them to reduce the financial burden arising from some capital project they embarked on. Mr. Ugwoke said that the council chairmen also in turn thanked the Enugu state Government for its partnership, which they said has led to the numerous achievements recorded in the various Council areas. In another development, the state government has approved the biometric capture of public servants who are yet to present themselves for the state biometric data exercise. The State Commissioner for Information who announced these at the end of the state executive council meeting in Enugu, said that the approval was given to enable newly recruited staff, those on inter-state transfer and reinstated staff and others have their personal data captured

CHIME NOT PERTUBED BY OPPOSITION ATTACKS- AIDES (18th September 2012) Aides to Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu of State have said that the Governor was unperturbed over the sudden spate of attacks he is receiving from opposition parties in the state under the umbrella of a section the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP). Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Inter-Party Affairs Evangelist Chris Asadu and the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary Chukwudi Achife who made this known in separate statements, said this was because those behind it was yet to disclose any reasonable substance in their criticisms. Asadu, a former CNPP Chieftain, said the Governor should neither be worried by the opposition’s threat to form a coalition against the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015 nor by the dust it is trying to kick up over plans to build new workers’ secretariat. He pointed out that only a splinter group of nine out over over thirty seven opposition parties were behind the attacks and seemed to be merely exercising their right to freedom of expression in order to seek relevance rather than pursuing any discernible cause. He wondered why anyone should kick against a new secretariat when there was no whimper, when the same Governor announced his plan to build a workers’ estate and also lifted the embargo on employment that had been in place for years before he came into office. Achife on his own, pointed out that the credibility of group’s criticism was further undermined by the claims it had made in the media saying that it decided to launch the attacks on Governor Chime because he (Chime) had allegedly become “inaccessible” to its members after they had supposedly helped him to victory in the 2011 elections. He noted that not only had the Governor set up an all inclusive government with some opposition figures occupying positions but that he had maintained a broad-minded and non-partisan policy in the implementation of his transformational agenda in the state. He said, “We understand these attacks as a mere exercise of freedom of expression and not that there is any real substance in them. These things happen now and then, democracy permits it and as such the Governor is not perturbed about it. All I can say is that he is focused and will remain focused on the job he has been elected to do and which as objective minds have acknowledged, he has been doing excellently well”. Achife further restated the Governor’s willingness to listen to constructive criticisms and suggestions as to how best to move the state forward adding that many important policies of the government had been based on inputs from patriotic citizens.

Chime approves N213m for implementation of MDGs projects (18th September 2012)

The Enugu State Executive Council has approved the implementation of the state’s 2011 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) conditional cash transfer projects for ten local government council areas in the State.

The MDG projects which would be executed in partnership with the Federal Government would cost the state government, two hundred and thirteen million, one hundred and twenty thousand (N213, 120, 000).

This was disclosed by the state commissioner for Information, Mr. Chuks Ugwoke while briefing the government house correspondents at the end of the EXCO meeting held at the Government House, Enugu presided over by Governor Sullivan Chime.

Commissioner Ugwoke explained that one hundred Committee in the affected local government areas Aninri, Oji-River, Udi Ezeagu, Igboetiti, Igboeze South, Nsukka, Isi-Uzo, Nkanu East and Nkanu West will benefit from the project.

The Information Commissioner stated that the council also approved the payment of our outstanding state counter fund for the federal government’s FADAMA III agricultural programme community to one hundred and seventy seven million, six hundred thousand naira (N177, 600, 000)

He said that the sum of five hundred and four million naira outstanding counterpart fund for commercial agriculture development project (CADP) for the 2009 – 2012 cropping years. According to the commissioner, the council also approved the award of contract for the procurement of agricultural machinery and equipment for the state pineapple project at the cost of six million, eleven thousand, four hundred and four dollars sixteen cents.

State information boss noted that in keeping with the state government’s resolve to ensure access to qualitative and affordable health care to the citizenry that council approved the sum of four hundred and sixty three million, sixty four thousand , two hundred and sixteen naira, sixty four kobo for the renovation, upgrade and construction of 68 health centres.

According to Mr. Ugwoke, the MDG conditional cash transfer is a grant provided for the extremely poor households in the condition that their children of primary and secondary school age in the state can go to school and access to quality health care.

He explained that the grant has four components of monthly sustenance allowance of six thousand naira paid bi-monthly and business start up grant of one hundred and twenty thousand naira payable upon completion of training by applicants. Also at the meeting, the council announced that movement of workers in the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies that will be affected in the relocation of the ministries that will give way for the construction of a new State Secretariat will commence by the end of September.

To facilitate the movement, Mr. Ugwoke said that Exco approved the sum of over sixty-three million naira (N63,561,450.00) for the renovation of Ministry of Justice Annex that will house the Main Ministry of Justice that is among the Ministries that will be affected.

In addition, the sum of more than thirty-four million naira (N34,590,700.00) was also approved by the council for the completion of works including demarcation and tilling the offices for the ministries that will relocate to the wing two of the old CCB Building along Okpara Avenue, Enugu recently acquired by state government.

Approval was also given by the council at the meeting for the engagement of a Consortium Company Google Upande (Kenya) and Benjamin Knight to provide training Geographic Information System (GIS) implementation and continuous support in the state.

This when completed would help ensure greater satellite imagery and satellite GPS navigation, transparent database management for property in the state and change land information to become location based.

The job which will be executed by some selected companies in the implementation of the 2011 MDG conditional grant scheme project for health will include renovation, upgrading and construction of staff quarters in the affected health centre.

Enugu to spend N137m on sports facilities, Lagos 2012 (18th September 2012)

The Enugu State Government is to spend the sum of over one hundred and thirty-seven million naira (N137,033,524.00) for the provision of sports facilities and sponsorship of state contingent to the 2012 National Sports Festival in Lagos scheduled for November.

The State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chuks Ugwoke who announced this while briefing newsmen at the end of the State Executive Council Meeting in Enugu said that over sixty-seven million naira (N67,992,724.00) will be spend on the construction of outdoor facilities at the state sports council.

According to the commissioner who was accompanied during the briefing by his Youth and Sports as well as Enugu Capital Development counterpart and SPA Agriculture, Messrs Chijioke Agu, Ik Ugwuegede and Victor Agbo, part of the amount will be used to renovate two buildings at the State Sports Council to house the Ministry of Youths and Sports.

Mr. Ugwoke also stated that preparation and participation of the state contingents to the upcoming Sports Festival in Lagos will take the remaining sum of N69,040,800.00. It will cover expenses during zonal qualifiers for the competition this September, one month camping for final athletes in October and the finals of the festival proper coming up between November 26th and December 13th 2012..

He restated the determination of the state government to continue to promote all round sports in the state, adding that the sum approved for the festival was to enable the officials commence training on time to prepare the athlete and avoid the fire brigade approach.

FIRST BANK PRESENTS CHEQUE OF N40 MILLION TO SUPPORT ENUGU STATE 2012 ARTS FIESTA (13th September 2012) The First Bank Nigeria of Plc has earned plaudit for the Enugu state government for its continued support for government programmes and project. The commendation was made by the state Governor, Barr. Sullivan Chime during the presentation of a cheque of N40 million to the state government by the management of the Bank to support the organization and hosting of the festival. Governor Chime who was represented by the Deputy Governor Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, further noted that the first Bank has in the past lived up to their corporate social responsibilities and called on other corporate organizations operating in the state to emulate the First Bank's gestures. He stated that among other things, the state government has provided enormous facilities such as roads and other physical infrastructures capable of attracting tourists, and potential investors to the state. Summing up, governor chime state that our culture has been neglected in the past, adding that efforts were being made from the state government to revive our rich culture and called on all and sundry to make effort towards resuscitation of our cultural heritage. The governor said that the 2011 cultural festival was a success but with the support of the First Bank Nigeria PIc, the 2012 fiesta will be improved for the better. He said that the state government would continue to partner with First Bank Nigeria PIc and other corporate organization to provide enabling environment for them to operate in the state. Presenting the cheque of N40 million as well as felicitations on behalf of the management of the Bank, the Group Head Public Sector, South East, Mrs. Nwanneka Okolo, expressed pleasure to identity with Enugu state government on the 2012 cultural fiesta. Mrs. Okolo noted that the Bank had shown interests in promoting Arts and Culture, in parts of the country pointing out that the Bank, once brought Umu Oja cultural Dance Troupe from South Africa and Co-sponsored the Cross River Arts Fiesta. She used the occasion to restate the readiness of the Management of the Bank to continue to promote the rich cultural heritage of in the country as means of festering national unity and development.

CHIME RESTATES PLEDGE TO BUILD MODEL PUBLIC SERVICE IN ENUGU (11th September 2012)

Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has restated the determination of his administration to build and leave behind, a very functional and effective public service in the state that would ensure that the progressive policies and initiatives of his administration were not only fully actualized but sustained long after he has left office. Governor Chime who stated this at the opening ceremony of the Civil Service Week in Enugu said this attainment of this objective would also ensure that public resources of the state were fully utilized for the benefit of the people. He used the occasion to express gratitude to workers in the state for their wonderful contributions and sacrifices towards the actualization of his administration’s vision of bringing about the holistic and sustainable transformation in the state.

He said, “This is yet another opportunity for us to celebrate and appreciate the wonderful contributions and sacrifices of our workforce towards the continued existence and sustenance of our state and more importantly towards the actualization of our vision of bringing about the holistic and sustainable transformation of our state.”

He reassured workers that their welfare will continue to receive priority attention, adding that the government recently approved the construction of workers estate and a new secretariat complex to ensure their welfare as well as conducive environment to do their work

He also added that his administration had steps in the past to correct the obvious anomalies in the public service to ensure efficiency and secure the loyalty and partnership of workers so that they could in its avowed mission to change the lives and fortunes of the people

Among such steps he said were the payment of workers salary on or before the 25th of every month, the recall of disengaged workers, the payment of outstanding arrears of salaries and allowances the, prompt implementation of the national minimum wage law and the confirmation of outstanding promotions among others. The Governor expressed optimism that the reforms introduced in the civil service by the administration has taken root and that the state would soon become a role for civil service administration in the country. He therefore appealed to workers in the state to continue to support the administration in its efforts to entrench knowledge, courage and integrity in the state public service system.

Also in his address the State Head of Service, Nze Dennis Eze commended workers in the state for their cooperation and show of solidarity as demonstrated during this year’s celebration.

Nze Eze noted with satisfaction that Enugu State Government under the leadership of Governor Chime has continued to meet its promises to worker, especially in the areas of welfare and provision of very conducive environment to do their works, adding that the state was changing for the better.

The Head of Service described this year’s Public Service Week as a huge success going by the turn out of workers and their manifest kin interest during the cultural competition and appealed to them to be more committed in service and discharge of their duties.

ENSG MOVES TO CHECK DEFACEMENT OF BUS SHELTERS (11th September 2012)

The Enugu State Government has warned individuals, groups and religious organizations in the state against pasting of posters of their businesses, social events and other advertorials on the bus shelters built on major roads in the state capital.

The State Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Chuka Utazi who gave the warning while conducting news men round to inspect some of the bus shelters described the act as illegal and unacceptable to government.

Mr. Utazi observed that posters pasted inside the bus shelters by unpatriotic citizens had completely defaced the new shelters which costs government huge sums of money and made the entire place untidy.

The Commissioner disclosed that already two persons caught pasting posters in the bus shelter have been arrested and handed over to the police for necessary prosecution and advised residents of the state to desist from such act.

He told the press that officials of the Ministry of Transport have started to remove the posters and also compiling names, contact addresses and phone numbers of individuals, groups and organizations on the posters for necessary action.

Mr. Utazi appealed to the general public to help the ministry and report to his office anybody, group or organization pasting posters on the bus shelter, adding that warning notices prohibiting such act will soon be placed at the bus shelters.

Already the officials of the ministry had commenced general cleaning of the bus shelters with chemicals to restore their beauty and make them more comfortable for commuters.

Enugu to stengthen collaboration with NGOs on development (11th September 2012) The Enugu State government has restated its commitment to partnerships with Non-Governmental organizations (NGOs) and Groups towards the continued development and implementation of programmes geared towards improving the lives of the people.

Already the state government is creating a very conducive environment that would enable such organizations operating in parts of the state to achieve their goals.

The state Governor Mr. Sullivan Chime stated this when he received in audience the Chief Executive Officer Women for Women International AFSHAN KHAN and officials of the body at the Government House, Enugu.

The Governor who was represented by the Chief of Staff Government House, Enugu Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo commended the International Organization for choosing Enugu as one of the States in Nigeria to implement their programmes.

The Chief Executive also thanked them for their very positive impact in thirteen local government areas in the state and appealed to them to extend their other programmes to cover the remaining four council areas and give them sense of belonging.

Governor Chime noted with satisfaction that the Women International Organization is already working with the Ministries of Gender Affairs and Poverty Reduction and Human Development and promised that government will continue to cooperate with them to better the lots of men and women in the State.

On that request for government’s counterpart funding for their programmes, Governor Chime informed them that it was a budgetary issue and assured that due consideration will be given to it.

Earlier in her speech, the Chief executive officer of the body AFSHAN KHAN to the Governor that they are currently operating about six countries of the world including Nigeria where they had registered more than forty thousand women.

KHAN explained that their programmes included technical assistance to women and establishment of women cooperatives as well as women empowerment.

She stated that they assist the women folk to develop their skill and potentials and also encourage them to embark on small scale businesses like poultry and others.

The Chief Executive of the International Biding said that their decision to come to Enugu was based on the very conducive atmosphere provided by the state government adding that they have established poultry farm at Mmaku in Awgu Local Government and a school at Eha Amufu in Isi Uzo local government Council of the State.

She then appealed to the state government for its collaboration and counterpart funds for the execution of their programmes in the state.

ENSG denies resolving oil wells dispute with Orient Petroleum (11th September 2012)

The Enugu State Government has refuted claims by the Management of Orient Petroleum Plc (OPR) that the lingering contention between it and the company over some oil wells located in the state, has been resolved. The Managing Director of the company Mr Emeka Nwawka was recently reported in some sections of the media as saying that the issues relating to the operations of the oil wells in Ojjor, Iggah and Asaba communities, all in the Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State were resolved at a meeting between the officials of the state government led by the Secretary to the Government, Mr. Amaechi Okolo and the company. However, in a swift reaction, the Enugu State Commissioner for Information, Mr Chuks Ugwoke described the claims as an “unfortunate misrepresentation of the facts.” He said that though the state government will continue to encourage Orient Petroleum Resources Plc and other private sector investments in the state or elsewhere in the country, it has become necessary to correct the wrong impression created by the Managing Director of the company that the lingering issues between it and the government had been resolved. The dispute revolves around the continued refusal of the company to acknowledge that it has oil wells in Enugu State and not Anambra state alone and the need to reflect the existence of oil wells in the three communities in all its communications and instruments. While admitting that the two parties met over the matter on the 31st of July, 2012, the commissioner noted that “no resolution of any sort was reached” as the company merely briefed the representatives of the state government on its operations in the affected communities and even proposed that a conflict resolution committee be set to address the issues while holding further talks on it. It will be recalled that the three oil blocks in Enugu State provide the bulk of the company’s crude oil supply.

Enugu first lady delighted with influx of investors in the state. (11th September 2012)

Wife of Enugu State Governor Mrs Clara Chime has described the continued influx of foreign and local investors into the state as a sign that the government’s initiatives and policies towards that end, were yielding desired results.

Mrs Chime who stated this while commissioning the outlets of two international fashion retailers: ‘Truworths’ and ‘Identity’ at the Enugu Shopping Mall said the situation has brought about and unprecedented boom in economic and commercial activities in the state and its environs while helping to reduce unemployment in the area.

She commended the management of the two companies for following the lead of such other multinationals such as ‘Shoprite’ and ‘Game’ to establish outlets at the shopping mall assuring them that the government has provided all that it would take to ensure the success of their ventures.

Mrs Chime who was accompanied by top officials of the government urged other investors to take advantage of the facilities and the conducive environment put in place by the government by bringing their businesses to Enugu for the benefit of all.

Welcoming the Enugu First Lady, the Project Manager of the Enugu Shopping Mall, Mr Chuka Okoye disclosed that many more international concerns had shown interest in doing business in the state adding that the Mall was large enough to accommodate them.

He commended the state Government for the support and incentives it has continued to give investors in the state, saying that the disposition would ensure the sustenance of the current upswing in economic and commercial activities in the State.

Enugu to stengthen collaboration with NGOs on development (10th September 2012) The Enugu State government has restated its commitment to partnerships with Non-Governmental organizations (NGOs) and Groups towards the continued development and implementation of programmes geared towards improving the lives of the people.