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Tag: Enugu State

  • Enugu housing corporation faces scandal over Blossom Garden Estate

    Enugu housing corporation faces scandal over Blossom Garden Estate

    The Enugu State Housing Development Corporation (ESHDC) has been thrust into the spotlight following allegations of large-scale corruption, abuse of office, and mismanagement tied to the controversial Blossom Garden Estate project.

    Once promoted as a flagship housing initiative designed to expand residential opportunities in the state, Blossom Garden Estate has instead become the center of what stakeholders describe as a “monumental betrayal of public trust.”

    According to Barrister Kingsley Ilodibe, a legal practitioner and concerned stakeholder, the estate has been rendered inaccessible and unviable, with allottees unable to take possession of plots they legally purchased.

    At the heart of the scandal is a private company, Hephzibah & Beulah (H&B), allegedly linked to the Managing Director of the ESHDC. The company is accused of illegally occupying more than 800 hectares of land within the estate, selling plots under its own name, and allegedly sharing proceeds with top officials of the housing agency.

    Critics say this constitutes a glaring conflict of interest and a violation of public trust.

    Despite designs showing a 30-meter-wide road meant to link districts within the estate, the land has reportedly been fenced off, leaving buyers stranded.

    “This is no longer a case of mismanagement; it is a clear act of deception and administrative sabotage,” Ilodibe said, warning that failure by Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah to intervene immediately could worsen the crisis.

    Observers further accuse the ESHDC of failing to deliver on its promises across other projects.

    Despite acquiring large tracts of land and launching multiple housing schemes over the past two years, the agency has allegedly failed to provide basic infrastructure such as drainage systems and paved roads.

    Many of the layouts remain undeveloped, raising questions about transparency in land administration.

    Even more troubling, insiders claim that no director within the agency can account for key land-related decisions made over the last year, fueling suspicions that land allocations in Enugu may have been hijacked by private interests.

    Ilodibe cautioned that if urgent steps are not taken within 48 hours, concerned citizens may mobilize a mass social media campaign to expose further alleged irregularities. “Ndi Enugu deserve transparency, not treachery,” he declared.

    The scandal has sparked calls for Governor Mbah to order a full investigation into the operations of the ESHDC, restore public confidence, and ensure accountability in the state’s housing sector.

  • Gov Mbah free to join APC – ex-DG VON

    Gov Mbah free to join APC – ex-DG VON

    Former Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr Osita Okechukwu, says Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State is wholeheartedly welcomed to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Okechukwu, who is a foundation member of APC, said this in a statement in Enugu on Monday issued on behalf of the APC Foundation Members in Enugu State and South-East.

    The statement reacted to a statement against Gov. Mbah’s liberty to join APC attributed to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, at a meeting in Enugu on Sunday.

    Okechukwu quoted Nnaji as saying: “Anybody who wants to run for the governorship of Enugu State, let him come to the APC, we will go to contest, we are waiting for them.”

    According to him, we the foundation members of APC wish to state unequivocally that His Excellency, Dr Peter Mbah, and his group are wholeheartedly welcomed to APC Enugu State in accordance with the standard convention of our great party.

    “Gov. Mbah and his group should not be scared by anybody,” he said.

    Okechukwu said that APC members are at a loss “why Nnaji, who himself is from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is chasing away the exceptionally performing Gov. Mbah”.

    “For we, the foundation members, Gov. Mbah should disregard our dear brother Chief Nnaji, because we want to win Lion Building for the first time and join 23 other states to guarantee President Bola Tinubu’s victory in 2027,” he said.

    He advised Nnaji to pay more attention to his ministry.

    “Otherwise, we will not allow Chief Nnaji who came distant fourth with 14,575 votes in the gubernatorial election and fouled atmosphere for President Tinubu with 4,722 in the 2023 presidential election to rubbish APC again,” Okechukwu said.

  • EERC moves to resolve power outage in parts of Enugu

    EERC moves to resolve power outage in parts of Enugu

    The Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC) says it is taking steps to resolve erratic power supply in different parts of the state.

    The commission disclosed this in a statement posted on its website www.eerc.en.gov.ng on Sunday evening.

    Recall that MainPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited had on Aug. 4 issued a statement and blamed the development on the drastic reduction of energy being supplied to it by the parent company, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC).

    It stated that the reduction followed the decision to slash electricity tariff for Band A from N209 per kWh to N160 per kWh.

    Many parts of the state, especially those in Bands B to E, had been thrown into darkness since Aug. 1 to date.

    The commission said it met with both EEDC and MainpPower, assuring Enugu residents that it was taking the necessary steps to restore normalcy.

    “Sequel to the public announcement from MainPower, which stated that EEDC directed the curtailing of power supply to Bands B to E Feeders, and the challenges in vending being experienced by the customers in the state, we invited MainPower to a meeting.

    “The aim is to ascertain the reasons for the decision to curtail power supply in Enugu State and vending challenges being experienced by customers.

    “During the meeting, MainPower explained that they (MainPower and EEDC) were having difficulties separating Enugu State from the rest of the states in the coverage area of EEDC.

    “This challenge was termed ‘code coverage conflicts and related glitches’ but gave assurance that the issue would be sorted out very soon,” the commission said.

    EERC, however, mandated MainPower to formally communicate with the customers on vending challenges and efforts being made to resolve it.

    The commission also reminded the company of the provisions of its Business Rules, which require that it should make a formal petition within 30 days of the commission’s tarrif order, if it was not satisfied, instead of resorting to curtailing of supply.

    “The petition will enable a public hearing on the Tariff Order to which the outcome will be implemented. The Business Rules is accessible to all the stakeholders on the commission’s website (www.eerc.en.gov.ng),” it stated.

    EERC added that it was consulting with relevant stakeholders at the state and federal levels and will endeavour to apply appropriate regulatory approach in dealing with the issue.

    It maintained that the measure would help to ensure that developers, service providers, customers and Enugu people get the full benefit of the evolving subnational electricity market in the state.

    “We will also ensure that MainPower recovers sufficient revenue that covers their efficient costs of doing business in Enugu State plus a fair return on capital invested, as provided in section 34 (2)(b) of the Enugu State Electricity Law 2023,” the commission added.

  • States lack power to fix tariffs for electricity generated from national grid – NERC tells Enugu Govt

    States lack power to fix tariffs for electricity generated from national grid – NERC tells Enugu Govt

    The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has said the Enugu Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC) lacks the authority to determine electricity tariffs when the power is generated and transmitted from the national grid.

    NERC made this known in a statement published on its website on Friday in Abuja, while clarifying that although the 2023 Electricity Act (EA) empowers States to regulate electricity within their jurisdiction, “States do not have jurisdiction over the national grid and over electric power stations established under Federal laws/operating under licences issued by the commission”.

    Recall that EERC recently reduced the tariff for Band A customers from ₦209.5/kWh to ₦160.4/kWh.

    NERC stressed that State Electricity Regulatory Commission must holistically incorporate the wholesale costs of grid supply to their states without any qualification or deviation in their design of tariffs for end-use customers in order not to distort the dynamics of the market.

    “Or be prepared to make a policy intervention by way of a subsidy for any deviation in the tariff structure that distorts the wholesale generation, transmission and legacy financing costs in the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI),” the statement reads.

    The statement disclosed that NERC was aware of stakeholders’ concerns over EERC’s tariff order to Mainpower Electricity Distribution Ltd, which depend solely on power from the national grid.

    It said that NESI stakeholders had expressed concern about the consequences of the reduction of tariffs for Band A customers in MEDL’s network area to NGN160.4 per kWh.

    “And the freezing of tariffs of customers in the other bands on the wholesale generation and transmission costs along with the financing costs for legacy obligations in NESI.

    “It is pertinent to state that the NGN160.4 per kWh was arrived at largely by reducing the current average Generation Tariff of NGN112.60 per kWh to NGN45.75, with an assumption of subsidy component, a difference of N66.85 per kWh,” it said.

    According to the statement,  Section 34(1) of the EA places a statutory obligation on the commission to “create, promote and preserve efficient electricity industry and market structures, and ensures the optimal utilisation of resources for the provision of electricity.”

    It added that the commission was also aware that EERC as a sub-national electricity regulator also had a similar statutory obligation in their enabling law.

    The statement noted that neither NERC nor EERC as responsible regulatory institutions would take decisions that exposed the national grid and wholesale electricity market to a financial crisis in contravention of express powers granted to them by the Constitution.

    It added that the commission was currently engaging EERC on their tariff order as it related to any perceived area of misinterpretation/misunderstanding on wholesale generation and transmission costs on their import of power from the national grid and grants.

    The commission gave assurance of its unwavering statutory commitment that the electricity market would be made whole in terms of cost recovery in compliance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

  • Gov Mbah swears-in 6 new Commissioners, Head of Service, reassigns others

    Gov Mbah swears-in 6 new Commissioners, Head of Service, reassigns others

    Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State has reshuffled his cabinet, swearing-in new Head of Service, six new Commissioners and reassigned three others.

    Mbah also assigned portfolios to the new appointees following the administration of Oath of Office on them by a representative of the Ministry of Justice, Ms Chizoba Ogbodo, at the Government House, Enugu on Wednesday.

    The newly sworn-in appointees included Godwin Anigbo, Head of Service; Mr Benjamin Okoh, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure; Prof. Bernadette Okoli, Commissioner for Human Development and Poverty Eradication and Enyinna Ogbonna, Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources.

    Others are Dr Samuel Ogbu-Nwobodo, Commissioner for Trade, Investment, and Industry, Prof. George Ugwu, Commissioner for Health and Mr Ben Collins Ndu Jr., who was designated as the Commissioner for Water Resources.

    Dr Felix Nnamani was reassigned from the Ministry of Water Resources to the Ministry of Labour and Employment as Commissioner and Dr Malachy Agbo was reassigned from the Ministry of Human Development and Poverty Eradication to the Ministry of Information.

    The former Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Gerald Otiji, was reassigned as the Commissioner for Housing.

    Speaking the swearing-in, Mbah charged the appointees to hit the ground running, stressing that there would be no honeymoon period for them.

    He said the administration had in two years steered high expectations among the people of the state as well as Nigerians in general and could not lower its performances across sectors.

    “You would soon notice that here in Enugu, we have steered such a high expectation among our people and everyday it feels as though we are presenting a scorecard.

    “Therefore, you have to hit the ground running, as there will be no honeymoon period for you, unfortunately,” he said.

    The governor further charged the appointees to work as a team, in line with the established cultures of the administration.

    “We also recognise teamwork champions. We do not encourage working in silos. You have to work as a team.

    “We believe that by working as a team, we are able to accomplish our collective goals. You should not see your colleagues as rivals. They should actually complement your efforts instead.

    “Our modest accomplishment in the state so far is not done by a single champion. We like to recognise our successes as team efforts,” he advised.

    Speaking on behalf of other appointees, Ogbu-Nwobodo thanked the governor for finding them worthy out of the many other highly qualified Enugu citizens and beyond, assuring him that they would not let him down.

    “Since you chose to entrust us with this sacred duty as you make history on a daily basis, we will keep faith with our Oath of Office.

    “We will be loyal and dedicated in the discharge of our duties. We will strive to contribute to the nationally acknowledged success that your government has become,” he said.

    The swearing-in ceremony was witnessed by the Deputy Governor, Ifeanyi Ossai; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Victor Udeh.

    Others are commissioners and senior appointees of government as well as the spouses of the appointees.

    The four commissioners who were dropped include Mrs Adaora Chukwu (Trade and Investment), Mr Chika Ugwuoke (Labour), Dr Ikechukwu Obi (Health) while Dr Martin Chukwunwike is the state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

  • Police kill suspected kidnapper, arrest 5, rescue victim in Enugu

    Police kill suspected kidnapper, arrest 5, rescue victim in Enugu

    The Police Command in Enugu State has killed a suspected kidnapper, arrested five suspects and rescued a victim in multiple operations in the state.

    The Command’s Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, in a statement on Friday in Enugu, said that police operatives also recovered an AK-47 rifle with two rounds of live ammunition.

    Ndukwe said that other items recovered included a Toyota Corolla car, ₦10 million in cash obtained as ransom and other incriminating exhibits.

    He said that the command achieved the feat through series of intelligence-driven operations conducted from July 5 to July 16.

    According to him, the command has recorded significant breakthroughs in its sustained fight against violent crimes, particularly kidnapping.

    “On July 16, at 3p.m, operatives attached to Okpuje Division, in collaboration with members of the Neighbourhood Watch, Forest Guards, and local hunters, swiftly responded to a distress call regarding suspected armed kidnappers.

    “The armed kidnappers were sighted in a forest at Okpuje-Ani community in Nsukka Local Government Area.

    “Upon arrival, the armed suspects engaged the team. The operatives returned fire, neutralising one of the suspects while others escaped.

    “An AK-47 rifle loaded with two live rounds of ammunition was recovered from the neutralised suspect,” he said.

    The spokesman said that in a separate operation on the same day at about 4.00p.m., operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad, acting on credible intelligence, arrested one Aliyu Adamu, 23, at Ugwu-Onyeama axis of Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.

    “During interrogation, the suspect confessed to participating in multiple kidnappings and stated that he had been invited from Awka, Anambra, by another suspect now at large for criminal operations in Enugu State,” he said.

    Ndukwe said that on July 15, at about 2:20p.m., the Commands Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad apprehended two female suspects – Juliet Chukwu, 39; and Nancy Chukwu, 40; – in an intelligence-led operation.

    “The suspects, who are sisters and claimed to be law enforcement officers, were apprehended while sharing a ransom of ₦10 million.

    “The ransom was obtained from their kinsman, whom they had conspired to kidnap on July 14, 2025, after initially demanding ₦50 million.

    “The victim was rescued unharmed, and the operatives recovered the ransom cash and a Toyota Corolla vehicle belonging to one of the suspects,” he said.

    The spokesman said that earlier, on July 5, at about 5:30p.m., operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad arrested two suspects – Usman Musa, 20; and Musa Zaria, 24; both from Kogi State.

    He said that the two suspects were apprehended during a tactical operation at Okemmou, 9th Mile Corner in Udi Local Government Area.

    “The suspects were found in possession of clothing and a wristwatch belonging to two male victims kidnapped on July 4, 2025.

    “The victims later identified both the items and the suspects as those involved in their abduction.

    “The detained suspects will be arraigned in court once investigations are concluded. Efforts are ongoing to detain other suspects at large,” he added.

  • Police bust human trafficking syndicates, detain 11 suspects, rescue victims

    Police bust human trafficking syndicates, detain 11 suspects, rescue victims

    The police have dismantled two major human trafficking syndicates operating in Enugu State and Anambra, while detaining 11 suspects across the two states.

    Police operatives also rescued multiple victims including children, pregnant women and foreign nationals in a bold and coordinated crackdown on organised human trafficking.

    The Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a statement he issued in Enugu on Monday.

    Adejobi said that recently acting on credible intelligence, police operatives of the Zone-13 Police Zonal Command, Ukpo, executed a precision-led sting operation, targeting a deeply rooted child trafficking and baby factory network.

    He said that the operation led to the arrest of eight suspects from various locations, including: Uzoamaka Ani, 27, Joy Madu, 52, and Victoria Akasike, 56.

    According to him, these individuals, during interrogation, confessed to active involvement in child theft, abduction, illegal adoption schemes and the operation of unlicensed medical facilities functioning as baby factories.

    “Their criminal activities were strategically spread across Enugu and Anambra States, targeting vulnerable women and children for exploitation and sale.

    “The victims rescued during the operation include a seven-month-old infant, a four-year-old child, and two heavily pregnant women, all held under captivity in a remote village.

    “Both pregnant women, identified as indigenes of Ebonyi State, were reportedly lured and held for the purpose of forced births and subsequent sale of their newborns.

    “The rescue was swift and executed without harm to the victims, who are now in safe custody and receiving necessary care,” he said.

    The FPRO said that the police had intensified efforts to apprehend other members of the syndicate who managed to escape during the sting operation.

    In a related development, the force spokesman said that operatives of the Police Command in Ondo State have successfully rescued a Ghanaian national, David Angerinya, who was trafficked into Nigeria under pretence.

    He said that the operation was launched following a formal petition from the Interpol Liaison Office at Force Headquarters, Abuja, which called for immediate police intervention in a suspected case of transnational human trafficking.

    According to him, acting swiftly, police operatives initiated a targeted investigation that led to the arrest of three suspects, which included: Hayford Nyamekye, Alex Awine and Felix Kojo.

    “Investigations revealed that these suspects are part of a wider international trafficking syndicate that specialises in deceiving individuals, particularly from neighbouring West African countries, with fake promises of employment and travel visas to countries like Canada.

    “During the operation, an additional 39 Ghanaian nationals were discovered to have fallen victim to the same group.

    “Many of them lacked valid travel documentation, while those in possession of passports presented expired papers, further underscoring the depth of exploitation.

    “The victims were found in distressing conditions and are currently undergoing medical treatment,” he said.

    He said that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode  Egbetokun, had commended the gallantry of all police operatives involved in these successful operations.

  • No faction in Enugu Labour Party – Lawmaker

    No faction in Enugu Labour Party – Lawmaker

    Mr Harrison Ogara, representing Igboeze South Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, says there is no faction in the state chapter of the Labour Party (LP).

    Speaking in an interview with NAN in Enugu on Tuesday, Ogara said that Mr Peter Obi, as the 2023 LP Presidential Candidate, remained the leader of the state chapter of the party.

    He said that the chapter was fully behind the former Anambra governor and committed to following him to the new coalition, the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

    “It is uncharitable when you begin to make reference to factions in Enugu LP, we have only one LP in the state.

    “As it is in Enugu State LP, Obi is our leader and Sen. Nenadi Usman is our interim Chairperson,” he said.

    Ogara, who doubles as the spokesperson of the party in the state, said they were preparing to join ADC en masse because they believed that Obi would pick the ADC presidential slot.

    “We are joining ADC because we believe that Obi will emerge as the presidential candidate but anything short of that we will not be part of the coalition.

    “Let it not be a case of, pull him out from his comfort zone, and bring him here and mess him up, we are not part of that. We are all eyes watching what is going on but Obi remains our leader,” he said.

    According to him, Obi is still an LP member because the ADC is a coalition of different political parties coming together to contest against the ruling-APC in 2027.

    He said that they were waiting for the committee set up by the ADC in Abuja, led by former Gov. Emeka Ihedioha and former Gov. Liyel Imoke of Cross River.

    Ogara said the committee was mandated to workout a template on how state chapters would chose their interim leaderships.

    “So, for now, we are waiting for the committee to give us guideline on how to go about it in line with the coalition.

    “In a few days from now, the Ihedioha committee will come up with a guideline and we will take it from there,” he said.

  • Enugu govt kicks as police detain 3 masquerades in Nsukka

    Enugu govt kicks as police detain 3 masquerades in Nsukka

    The police command in Enugu State has detained three masquerades in Nsukka area of the state for allegedly assaulting law-abiding citizens.

    The command Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe said, in a statement in Enugu on Tuesday, that police operatives with the assistance of members of the community led to the arrest of the suspects on June 23, at 3:30 p.m.

    He said that the arrest of the suspects was in connection with the alleged physical assault of citizens by the ‘Oriokpa’ Masquerade group on June 22 as seen in a viral video.

    “The suspects, along with others still at large, took advantage of the ‘Oriokpa’ Masquerade celebration to assault several innocent members of the public, inflicting bodily injuries on them.

    “One of the victims was hospitalised for treatment due to injuries sustained during the attack.

    “The masqueraders initially resisted police arrest and fled the scene.

    “However, with the assistance of law-abiding community members, the three suspects were later identified and apprehended,” he said.

    The spokesman said that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, had ordered a thorough investigation into the case to ensure that justice was served.

    Ndukwe quoted the commissioner as saying that masquerade celebration was a sacred and symbolic aspect of the nation’s culture.

    He said that the state police chief , however, decried the actions of those who exploited the occasion to commit criminal acts.

    Ndukwe said that the commissioner warned against the use of cultural festivities as a cover for fomenting trouble and committing crimes against fellow citizens, as perpetrated by the ‘Oriokpa’ masqueraders.

    “The command is assuring the public that all those involved in the assault of law-abiding citizens will be brought to justice,” he added.

    Enugu Govt. condemns renewed masquerades’ attack on Nsukka residents

    Meanwhile, the Enugu State Government has expressed displeasure over the excesses of the Oriokpa masquerades, especially their renewed attacks on Nsukka residents.

    The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs Ugochi Madueke, made the government’s stance on the development known in a statement in Enugu on Tuesday.

    Madueke described the act as a violent conduct, which constituted public nuisance.

    “The State Government will take decisive action to bring the menace to an end.

    “Flogging, harassment, brutality and extortion of residents by masqueraders are unacceptable and negate the people’s true culture.

    “Masquerades are revered in our culture and, therefore, expected to be conducted with dignity, safety and protection of citizens’ rights,” the statement added.

    The commissioner further stated that the masquerades’ conduct violated the conditions upon which their earlier ban was lifted.

    “The continuous abuse of this sacred tradition by some individuals is deeply disturbing and regrettable.

    “They have regrettably turned cultural displays into opportunities for violence, intimidation and extortion.

    “This contravenes previous engagements the government had with stakeholders and custodians of Nsukka tradition on the issue,” the statement added.

    Madueke reiterated the government’s zero tolerance for cultural practices, which
    endanger public safety or violates the law.

    “The government is working closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure that those involved in the incident were identified and brought to justice.

    “A comprehensive review of the Oriokpa masquerade’s activities will commence immediately with a fresh ban in consideration.

    “Community leaders and custodians of culture should ensure that all cultural practices are peaceful and safe for the citizens,” she further stated.

  • Enugu govt told to call housing development corporation to order

    Enugu govt told to call housing development corporation to order

    A group known as Concerned Citizens for Transparent Urban Development has called on the Enugu State Government to call the State’s housing development corporation to order.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Barr. Philip Ikechukwu Ogbodo made the call in a statement on Tuesday on behalf of the Concerned Citizens for Transparent Urban Development.

    Ogbodo noted that the Enugu State Housing Development Corporation (ESHDC) in recent years has degenerated into a cesspool of reckless land acquisition, gross underdevelopment, and managerial impunity, posing a looming disaster if left unchecked.

    “It has become necessary to urgently draw the attention of the general public, stakeholders in urban development, and, most importantly, the administration of His Excellency, Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, to the alarming decay, brazen impunity, and institutionalized rascality that have become the operational signature of the Enugu State Housing Development Corporation (ESHDC) in recent years.

    “Once a beacon of excellence and strategic urban planning, the ESHDC has now degenerated into a cesspool of reckless land acquisition, gross underdevelopment, and managerial impunity, posing a looming disaster if left unchecked.

    “A typical and troubling example is the so-called Blossom Estate—an expansive tract of land acquired and promoted by the Corporation under the guise of residential development.

    “However, years have passed, and not a single meaningful development has been executed on the site.

    “What now stands in place is a barren, neglected expanse—a time bomb waiting to explode into legal, social, and urban chaos. This is not just poor planning; it is institutional negligence at its peak,” he stated.

    Ogbodo stressed that in the past two years, the Enugu State Housing Development Corporation has become a shadow of its former self.

    “The Corporation, which was once a reliable engine for organized housing delivery, has now become synonymous with inertia and mediocrity.

    “The roads in their so-called estates are in terrible condition, with no trace of asphalt surfacing, no basic infrastructure, and no proof of professional project execution anywhere under their purview.

    “How can an agency responsible for structuring the residential future of our people be so recklessly mismanaged? How can lands running into hectares be acquired and warehoused for years, contributing nothing to the housing stock, infrastructure, or social development of Enugu State?

    “What is worse is that this level of abandonment and dereliction appears to be deliberate. There is zero accountability, zero community engagement, and zero visible leadership.

    “The entire system reeks of internal compromise and a total breakdown of professional standards. Those at the helm of affairs in the Corporation must answer critical questions about the misuse of public land, lack of transparency, and failure to deliver on core housing mandates,” Ogbodo stated.

    He called on the State Governor to order a full forensic audit of the Enugu State Housing Development Corporation’s projects and finances over the past two years; and suspend further land acquisition activities by the Corporation, pending proper accountability and planning.

    Ogbodo also called on Governor Mbah to dissolve and restructure the leadership of the ESHDC with immediate effect; and establish an Independent Review Panel made up of estate professionals, civil society organizations, and community representatives.

    He stressed that the State Government should ensure that all undeveloped lands are either reclaimed or returned to productive use within a legally mandated time frame.

    “The time to act is now. If this crisis is not addressed with the urgency it demands, Enugu State risks sinking deeper into a housing disaster that may take years and billions to correct.

    “The people of Enugu deserve better. Our urban future cannot be mortgaged to incompetence, greed, and disregard for developmental integrity.

    “Let this serve as a final wake-up call to all concerned. The land belongs to the people. The responsibility to develop it must not be abused,” Ogbodo stated.