May 29: Stakeholders express optimism in Enugu economy
By Emmanuel Afonne
Development stakeholders in Enugu have expressed optimism for a quantum leap in the state’s economy in the first two years of the governor-elect, Mr Peter Mbah.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mbah and his deputy governor-elect, Ifeanyi Ossai, will be inaugurated as helmsmen of the Coal City following their victory in the March 18, 2023 governorship polls in the state.
The stakeholders expressed the optimism in separate interviews with NAN on Monday in Abuja.
The Director-General, Peter Mbah Support Group (PMSG), Chief Emeka Ogbu-Nwobodo, expressed optimisim of a prosperous economy from May 29.
Ogbu-Nwobodo told NAN that he relied heavily on Mbah’s manifesto to grow the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the state from $4.4 billion in 2022 to $30 billion by 2031.
“This is a very ambitious mission statement. It is indeed desirable to return Enugu state to its post independence era growth and retain it as the investment destination of Eastern Nigeria.
“Peter Mbah is capable of raising the bar in two years.
“He has demonstrated this in his Pinnacle Oil prior to his emergence as the governor-elect,” he said.
The director-general said it was thoughtful of the incoming governor to propose targeted policy incentives for public-private sector investments in key growth enabling sectors.
Ogbu-Nwobodo listed the sectors as: energy and natural resources development; agro-allied industrialisation and rural development; private sector development and integrated productive infrastructure development.
Chief Jude Aninta, the Abuja Coordinator of the group, said they looked forward for a prosperous Enugu economy from May 29.
Aninta told NAN that the incoming administration would surprise the citizens with “systematic, sustained and forward looking aproach”, to the development of the state.
“I am excited by the governor-elect’s plans in commerce and industry with focus on thriving Special Economic Zones to accelerate Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) development.”
Aninta said that Mbah’s promise to partner venture capital firms to create over N100 billion venture capital for MSME’s per annum would help turn around the state’s economy in the shortest time possible.
Also, a development expert, Mr John-Kennedy Chime, noted that the governor-elect had set a target of providing portable water to inhabitants of the capital city in his first 100 days and construction/expansion of 10,000 kilometres of road across the state.
Chime also expressed optimisim that Mbah and his team would drive the administration’s urban renewal, roads and bridges, public transportation, creative industry, tourism and ICT initiatives as spelt out in the mission statement.
“I want to see a lot of developments in the rural areas in order to harness the agro-potential of our state and give the rural dwellers a real sense of belonging.
“Mbah has promised to apply modern technologies to provide security, job creation for the teeming youth, massive improvement of education; healthcare delivery, women and sports.
“Enugu people will derive the joy from their Mbah/Ossai choice.
“We do not expect less and I am sure that the incoming Mbah administration will be unique and break many new grounds,” Chime added.
Chief Emeka Aba, an industrialist and astute businessman, said the likes of Peter Mbah were not easily found.
Aba noted that Mbah’s humility, discipline, foresightedness, industry, business acumen, integrity and spirit of accommodation would be deployed to governance to uplift the standard of living of Enugu people.
He urged other stakeholders in the Enugu to sink their differences and partner the new administration to bridge the infrastructure deficit of the state.
“Today it is Mbah. It could be you tomorrow,” Aba added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
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