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Tag: Enugu State

  • NG-CARES commends Gov. Ugwuanyi over transparency, and resource management

    Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwanyi of Enugu State, has been commended by the Nigeria Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus(NG-CARES) over his management of public resources.

    NG-CARES is the Federal Government body, saddled with the responsibility of expanding access to livelihood support and food security services and grants for poor and vulnerable households and firms.

    The body commended Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration for observing due process in the management of resources and other administrative engagements.

    They also praised Ugwuanyi for enthroning prudence, probity and accountability in the state.

    The group gave the commendation when the Management Team of NG-CARES paid an advocacy visit to Gov. Ugwuanyi at the Government House, Enugu.

    Addressing newsmen, the National Coordinator of NG-CARES, Dr Abdulkarim Obaje, disclosed that they were impressed with what they observed in Enugu State in terms of due process and prudent management of public resources by the government.

    He said the group was impressed by the government’s commitment to the success of its programme in the state.

    Obaje explained that the NG-CARES programme “is a 750 million dollars credit facility from the World Bank to cushion the negative impact of COVID-19 on the poor and the vulnerable in Nigeria”.

    He added that all the 36 states of the federation were participating in the programme, disclosing that “each state is entitled to N20 million dollars at the end of the programme in June 2023″.

    On the outcome of their meeting with the State EXCO, NG-CARES National Coordinator disclosed that the EXCO had given approval for the budget implementation and had also empowered the Chairman of the State-Cares Steering Committee.

    Others are the Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Mrs Adaonah Kene-Uyanwune, to continue to paddle the boat of NG-CARES in the state without necessarily resorting to the EXCO.

    Describing the EXCO’s approval as “spectacular”, Obaje pointed out that it would  fast track the activities of the body.

    “We want to commend His Excellency (Ugwuanyi) and of course the State Executive Council (EXCO) for the quality of prudence in management of public resources which we witnessed during this visit.”

    “We are very impressed to note that funds are released only after State EXCO has deliberated on it, and there is due process.

    “The World Bank is an institution that respects due diligence in management of resources and we saw that exemplified in Enugu State.

    “This is going into our records as one of the best practices in management of resources. The process put in place here in Enugu is commendable and we must put that in our records.

    “We are also impressed with the quality of understanding of the processes involved in NG-CARES implementation in Enugu State.

    “This emboldens the Chairman of the State-Cares Steering Committee, Mrs. Adaonah Kene-Uyanwune.

    “She is here and we are really impressed with the knowledge she has exhibited and her leadership style.”

    Obaje expressed confidence that Enugu would be one of the states in Nigeria that would have the highest amount of resources from the World Bank through the Federal Government.

    “As far as World Bank portfolios under Enugu State is concerned, the finances of Enugu State is in safe hands and we are very comfortable with the process that has been put in place”.

    Earlier, NG-CARES Team Leader, Dr Martina Nwordu, explained that the delegation was in Enugu on advocacy visit to evaluate what the state government had done so far on the programme.

    He said the visit would encourage it to do more towards the full actualisation of the set objectives of the programme.

    She stated that the programme was aimed at impacting the lives of the poor and the vulnerable, positively.

    On the outcome of their deliberations with Gov. Ugwuanyi and members of the State EXCO, Dr Nwordu said: “We are absolutely impressed because this is the first time it is happening.

    “EXCO gave approvals to the Chairman of the State-CARES Steering Committee on delivery platforms, and this is a very big achievement for Enugu State as regards this programme”.

  • FG says Enugu varsity fire triggered by untapped gas reservoir

    FG says Enugu varsity fire triggered by untapped gas reservoir

    The Nigerian Petroleum Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has confirmed a fire incident triggered by a suspected associated gas reservoir within the vicinity of Caritas University in Enugu.

    Mr Gbenga Komolafe, Commission Chief Executive, NUPRC in a statement on Friday said the incident occurred on May 22 but  was reported to NUPRC on May 26.

    Komolafe said it was confirmed that there was no pipeline right of way in the area  but the incident was caused by the activities of some contractors who were drilling a water borehole on the university  premises.

    He said on receipt of the incident report, NUPRC and related agencies immediately carried out an investigation and discovered that the incident happened in the process of drilling a water well with a target drill depth of 400 meters for the university.

    He said it was learnt that the university engaged the services of HydroGeo Engineering Services for the drilling of water borehole but the job was later sub-contracted to Orange Water Wells Drilling Company.

    He said in the course of the drilling, pressurised seepage was encountered after about 200 meter and fumes were gushing out of the drilled hole.

    “One of the workers who suspected the fumes to be gas seepage reportedly wanted to confirm his suspicion, and in process introduced a source of ignition which led to the fire outbreak.

    “It was the unfortunate action that provided a stronger basis for the qualification of the fumes as associated gas.

    “Following the fire outbreak, the drilling contractor swiftly removed the drill pipes, demobilised the rig and immediately notified the Enugu state government of the incident.

    “The state and federal fire services which were mobilised to the site, battled the fire for more than two days.

    “The university authority cordoned off the site and restricted access to the area; and directed for the immediate discontinued usage of all facilities within the affected area, including a nearby hall used for examinations,” he said.

    He further said that the NUPRC representatives, in collaboration with officials of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NNPC, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other related enforcement agencies visited the site on May 27 and 31.

    He said the visit was for preliminary investigation to ascertain the status and gain insight on the cause.

    He said it would determine immediate safety and geotechnical measures required to put off the fire and prevent loss of lives, property and damage to the environment.

    He said the officials confirmed that no fatality was recorded as a result of the incident, although a staff of the drilling company had sustained first-degree burns.

    According to him, the staff was treated and discharged from the hospital.

    “The preliminary investigation revealed that there is no pipeline right of way in the area.

    “There is a continuous supply of gas from the underground source evidenced by the continuous fire which is suggestive of the presence of shallow gas which may be associated with coal bed methane gas or gas seepage.

    “In both cases, it may not necessarily be a reservoir accumulation but associated gas which the drilling process provided a flow line; a development similar to incidents associated with coal mines.

    “Plans are being finalised by Caritas University to carry out Geophysical Resistivity Survey of the area from June 3 to June 4, to acquire data that will give better insight on the near surface gas concentration in the area and its potential spread.

    “Also, an all-inclusive stakeholder engagement took place in Enugu on the June 1, for alignment deliberations and mutual commitment to achieve the immediate killing of the fire and stoppage of the gas leakage,” he said.

    According to him, NUPRC is proactively collaborating with all relevant stakeholders and is determined to deploy appropriate technology to ensure that the fire is put off and the source of gas leakage is sealed.

    This, he said would ensure environmental sustainability and safety of lives and property.

    He added that the Commission has already identified an indigenous company with verified competence and proven track record in managing related fire incidents.

    He said intervention options were being considered which would be finalised after another visit scheduled for June 6.

  • Ekweremadu withdraws from Enugu PDP gubernatorial primary

    Ekweremadu withdraws from Enugu PDP gubernatorial primary

    Former Deputy President of the Senate, Chief Ike Ekweremadu has announced his withdrawal from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial primaries.

    The Director-General, Ikeoha Campaign Organisation, Mr Charles Asogwa, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Enugu.

    Recall that the PDP had fixed May 25, 2022 as its primaries to select the flag-bearer of the party in the 2023 gubernatorial election in the state.

    However, Asogwa said that the senator representing Enugu West Senatorial District would no longer participate in the exercise.

    “We wish to inform our supporters and Nigerians that Sen. Ike Ekweremadu will not be participating in the PDP governorship primary election scheduled for this Wednesday, May 25, 2022.

    “We continue to trust God as we appreciate our teeming supporters and people of Enugu State for the goodwill they have ceaselessly invested in the actualisation of the ‘Pathway to a New Enugu State.

    “We urge them to remain peaceful and be assured that we will keep them abreast of our decision on the way forward,” Asogwa said.

    Meanwhile, the Enugu State Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mr Ndubuisi Onyia has debunked rumours that Sen. Ike Ekweremadu has decamped to the party to continue his governorship ambition.

    He said this in a telephone conversation on Wednesday in Enugu.

    “As we speak, Ekweremadu has not joined APGA in Enugu State, unless he did so in another state. So, such rumor, as far as I am concerned, is unfounded, ” he said.

    Onyia added that the party in the State was busy with its primary elections to elect candidates to represent her in various elections in the State in 2023.

    It would be recalled that, there were unconfirmed reports on Tuesday that the Senator, who is a governorship aspirant on the platform of the PDP had decamped to APGA to further his chances for the 2023 elections.

  • Enugu doesn’t need cultist as governor – Mbaka tells Ugwuanyi

    Enugu doesn’t need cultist as governor – Mbaka tells Ugwuanyi

    The Enugu State Spiritual Director, Adoration Ministry, Rev. Ejike Mbaka, has said people of the State do not need a cultist to be their next governor in 2023.

    The preacher stated this on Sunday when the former Minister of Power and foremost PDP governorship aspirant, Prof Bart Nnaji sought his spiritual blessings during Sunday Holy Mass at the Adoration Ground, Emene.

    He said the people of Enugu State are praying so that God will give them: “someone sane, a tested and trusted personality, a competent hand, a father, a lover, an industrialist, a visionary, a godly person, a down-to-earth humble personality.”

    “We don’t need terrorism in this state. We don’t want to hear that this one is in this cult while the other person is in another cult and then a cult war will start. They are all our children but we need a father to be governor so he will bring the entire Enugu together.”

    ALSO READ: Nnamdi Kanu is only one that speaks and Igbo youths obey – Father Mbaka

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that while praying for the former Minister that God would grant his heart desires, Mbaka also said that his ministry had been praying for Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi that God would lead him to support a candidate that would sustain peace in the State after him.

    Although the outspoken Catholic priest said he had no preferred candidate, he told Nnaji that it would be well with him while describing him as a “great son of Enugu State and a power generator”.

    In his words; “One of my children will become the Governor after Gburugburu. We are also praying for Gburugburu so that God will give him the wisdom, the grace, and the favour to select a man after God’s own heart. That is my prayer for him in Jesus’ name.

    “The person of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is in tandem with peace. There may not be too many flyovers in Enugu but there is peace. By midnight you see the people of Enugu walking about the streets fearlessly without security. The white men that came here the other day assessed it and I thank God for the good people of Enugu State that supported him to achieve it. The youths of Enugu, it shall be well with you.

    “So, that is why I am praying for Gburugburu so that he will not make a mistake because one single mistake will put people in trouble. None of the politicians who are aspiring to be governor will expose their inner will.

    “What you see are people who are not real. None of them is saying things from their heart, but we are waiting. Anyone they bring we will work for the people. If he wants peace, we will give him peace, if he wants to toy with the poor, we will chase him out of the seat.

    “We need a compassionate, empathic, and sympathetic personality. Someone with a good heart and a good person. Because our people can survive even if you don’t help them. My prayer is that he selects a man of peace, a good man. I am not recommending anyone to him but I am praying that God puts a good man into his heart.”

  • Enugu State Govt set to resolve teachers’ strike – Commissioner

    Enugu State Govt set to resolve teachers’ strike – Commissioner

    The Enugu State Government is putting final modalities in place to resolve issues raised by striking primary school teachers.

    The state Commissioner for Education, Prof. Uchenna Eze, told newsmen on Friday in Enugu that ongoing negotiation between government and Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) had been “fruitful and progressive”.

    Thenewsguru.com reports that the NUT embarked on an indefinite strike over the non-payment of N30,000 minimum wage by the state government.

    ”The state government has already begun the process of implementing the new wage for primary school teachers.

    ”The leadership of the union is participating in an ongoing negotiation to that effect which is at its final stages,” he said.

    The commissioner said that the ministry was so surprised to hear of the ongoing indefinite strike even as the state and the union have a robust cordial relationship.

    ”It is impatience on the part of the primary school teachers to embark on the strike when we were making serious progress. We are at the final stage of concluding on the ongoing negotiations.

    “The ministry and the union will definitely resolve the issue very soon and our children will get back to school to resume the third term academic activities,” he said.

    The commissioner assured parents and guardians that the state government would resolve to settle the matter very soon.

    Thenewsguru.com reports that the state government had in an originating summons with number NICN/EN/01/2022, against the NUT, asking the court to bar the teachers from embarking on any strike on the ground that they were essential workers.

    The government, however, lost the suit, as the NIC ruled that the teachers could go on strike as they were not “essential duty workers,” as alleged by the government.

    However, dismissing the suit, the NIC accused the state government of discriminating against primary school teachers.

    The NIC presided over by Justice Oluwakayode Arowosegbe, had in an interlocutory injunction restrained the teachers from embarking on any form of industrial action pending the determination of the substantive suit and ordered an accelerated hearing.

    Delivering its judgment in the suit, Justice Arowosegbe, dismissed the suit and ordered the Government of Enugu State to go back and negotiate with the teachers, describing it as discriminatory for the Claimant to pay some workers in the state the minimum wage, from February 2020, while refusing to pay the teachers same.

    The Judge noted that the state could not stop the teachers from ventilating their grievances through industrial action.

    The court in the judgment delivered on March 8, held that the Primary School teachers in Enugu State do not fall within the categories of workers who provide essential services, hence they can embark on strike and other lawful means to press home their demand.

  • 2023: Frank Nweke Jr cleared to contest APGA guber ticket

    2023: Frank Nweke Jr cleared to contest APGA guber ticket

    Former Minister of Information, Mr Frank Nnaemaka Nweke Jr has been cleared to contest for the gubernatorial ticket of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Enugu State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports this was contained in an official statement signed and released by Sly Ezeokenwa, Secretary, Screening Committee 2022.

    The development was sequel to clearance from the Presidential and Governorship Screening Committee, duly appointed by the National Working Committee of the party, following the screening of prospective aspirants – pursuant to the provisions of Paragraph 16 (3), Chapter 3 of the APGA Electoral Guidelines for the 2022 Primary Election.

    Nweke, in his declarative statement in April 2022 had said if he emerged as governor, his administration would transform Enugu State into a foreign industrial hub.

    He served as Chief of Staff to former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani and was later appointed the Minister of Youth, Minister of Information, and later the Minister of Information and Communications, during the second term of President Olusegun Obasanjo (2003–2007).

    Meanwhile, the statement listed other aspirants ‘cleared’ to include; Umeadi Peter Nnanna Chukwudi (Presidential screening), Udensi Chikwendu Ukaobasi (Governorship screening – Abia State), Ijioma Nwokoro Ijioma (Abia), and Ibe Gregory Ikechukwu (Abia).

    Others are Waya Joseph (Benue), Akaa Priscilla Denen (Benue), Odoh Benard Ifeanyi (Ebonyi), Ozoemena Obi Donatus Madubuike (Enugu), Nnamani Emeka (Enugu), Udeh Donatus Ofobuikem (Enugu), Ombugaku Mathew Avre (Nasarawa State).

    TNG reports Uwa Etigwe SAN was listed as ‘Uncleared.’

  • Fr Mbaka to build 500-bed university hospital, three factories in Enugu

    Fr Mbaka to build 500-bed university hospital, three factories in Enugu

    The Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria (AMEN), Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka is set to build a 500-bed University Hospital, three factories, a waste management plant and other facilities within the vicinity of the Adoration Centre, in Enugu State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Rev. Fr. Mbaka conceived the projects in partnership with a British firm known as HP Kapital Limited with a view to remodelling the Adoration Centre to serve as a multifunctional facility.

    Mbaka revealed plans for the projects when he visited the Governor of Enugu, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to seek his support for the projects. Governor Ugwuanyi declared that his administration will support a proposal.

    Ugwuanyi, who spoke when Mbaka led the Group Chairman of HP Kapital Limited, Nandishwar Kaushal and his team to visit him at the Government House, Enugu, said the state government will do all that is required, considering its limited resources, to assist and ensure that the laudable projects succeed.

    The delegation visited the Governor to formally inform him of their remodelling plan for the Adoration Centre to serve as a multifunctional facility to include a University Hospital of international standard with specialized medical services such as a helipad and air ambulance, a five-star hotel, recreation facility and convention centre, among others.

    Requesting land for the projects, the delegation also informed the Governor of their plan to build an energy plant to manage waste and convert it to wealth. They equally said they will build three factories that would employ 600 people locally, who will be trained by 40 engineers to be trained abroad, among other inherent benefits to the state and the local community.

    Speaking, Gov. Ugwuanyi expressed delight at the project action plan which he said was in line with the accomplishments of his administration in creating jobs for the youth and providing qualitative and affordable healthcare services to residents of the state, including the rural dwellers.

    The governor, who noted that Fr. Mbaka has paid his dues, stressed that his administration will continue to support and encourage any venture that would create jobs and add value to the economy of the state and the living standard of the people.

    “I want to assure and reassure you that the Enugu State Government will do all that is required, giving our limited resources, to assist you”, he said.

    Earlier in his presentation, the Group Chairman of HP Kapital Limited, Kaushal, informed Gov. Ugwuanyi the University Hospital will be affiliated with “your University here (ESUT) and AU University in Britain”, adding that “the degrees that will be issued will be in collaboration with your University and AU British University”.

    He disclosed that the company hopes to have an initial strength of 7,500 students in a number of different Curriculums, “not only medicine”, explaining further that “the staff accommodation is going to be 2,500 people” locally and internationally.

    On corporate social responsibility, the chairman stated that they will help the needy and the less privileged, revealing that “10 per cent of all beds, no matter the cost of the bill, we will treat those patients for free so far those persons are registered citizens of Enugu State”.

    Corroborating, Fr. Mbaka thanked Gov. Ugwuanyi for his fatherly support, pointing out that it would be a thing of joy “the generation to come will know that this project came to be in Gburugburu’s (Gov. Ugwuany’s) time”.

    The AMEN Spiritual Director maintained that the project is coming to Enugu State because of the existing peace and the enabling environment provided by the governor.

    According to him, “The HP Kapital Limited is not just coming as a mono entrepreneurial team; we are partnering with them. It is a holistic partnership between them and Adoration Ministry. All you have suggested are in tandem with our vision and mission. More so when you talked about the charitable dimension and how this will be beneficial to the inherent resident community; it is part and parcel of our dream”.

    Fr. Mbaka prayed for the timely commencement and successful completion of the project, and assured Gov. Ugwuanyi of their collective commitment and determination to ensure that he inaugurates some of the projects before the end of his administration.

    “Your Excellency, by the time you are not in the office as a Governor of Enugu State there are a lot of things for which you should be remembered for. And I pray that among all the credible, multiple, pragmatic, and demonstrated developments, one of them should be this project we have come with today”, he said.

  • Appeal Court strikes out suit seeking the sack of Umahi as Ebonyi Governor, his Deputy, for defection

    Appeal Court strikes out suit seeking the sack of Umahi as Ebonyi Governor, his Deputy, for defection

    A suit seeking the sack of Ebonyi Governor David Umahi and his Deputy, Kelechi Igwe from office for defection has been struck out by the Court of Appeal Enugu Division on Friday, for being inconsistent with the Constitution.

     

    The duo in November 2020 defected to the All Progressive Congress(APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

     

    Following their defection, the candidate of the APC in the 2019 Governorship election, Senator Sonni Ogbuoji and his running mate, Justin Ogbodo Mbam, approached an Ebonyi High Court seeking the sack of the Governor and his Deputy.

     

    The plaintiffs prayed the Court to declare the seats of Umahi and Igwe vacant on account of their defection from the PDP to the APC.

    Ebonyi Governor David Umahi and his Deputy, Kelechi Igwe

     

    Ogbuoji and Mbam also demanded the Court to order that they be sworn-in immediately as Governor and Deputy having emerged second in the said election.

     

    But the High Court, in a judgement on February 28, struck out the suit and awarded N500, 000 as damages against the plaintiffs.

     

    Not satisfied with the ruling, the plaintiffs appealed the decision.

     

    But in a 37-minute judgement, the Appellate Court agreed with the lower Court’s ruling on the matter.

     

    The Appeal Justices, in a unanimous judgement read by Justice Alfa Belgore, dismissed the suit for being inconsistent with the Constitution and extant laws of the country.

     

     

  • COAS commends Gov. Ugwuanyi’s support to security agencies

    COAS commends Gov. Ugwuanyi’s support to security agencies

    The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao, has commended Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for his administration’s support to the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies in the state.
    This was disclosed in a message, conveyed by the new Air Officer Commanding, Ground Training Command, Enugu, Air Vice Marshal I.O. Daramola, when he paid a courtesy visit to Gov. Ugwuanyi at the Government House, Enugu, on Tuesday.
    Daramola was at the Government House, Enugu, to formally inform Gov. Ugwuanyi of his assumption of office as the Air Officer Commanding, (AOC) Ground Training Command, Enugu.
    The AOC reassured the governor of its commitment to the security and development of Enugu State.
    Daramola expressed satisfaction with the supportive role of Ugwuanyi in ensuring internal security in Enugu State and beyond.
    According to him, it is this support that has ensured that Enugu has remained the most peaceful state in the South East geo-political zone.
    Daramola said, “That goes with the fact that the numerous legacy infrastructure projects you have put in place, especially the roads within Enugu and in the rural areas are part of those things that ensured the state remains secure”.
    Responding, Gov. Ugwuanyi welcomed the new Air Vice Marshal to Enugu State. Stating that his administration’s partnership with the NAF in the state remained cordial.
    The governor noted that the NAF had always played a major role in the security architecture of Enugu State. He also reassured him that the state government would continue to collaborate with NAF. Alongside other security agencies to effectively discharge their duties.
  • Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi swears in Justice Ozoemena as new state Chief Judge

    Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi swears in Justice Ozoemena as new state Chief Judge

    Justice Raymond Ozoemena has been sworn in on Tuesday as, the substantive Chief Judge of Enugu State, by Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi after serving for three months in an acting capacity.

    His appointment on acting capacity was, due to the retirement of the former Chief Judge of the state, Justice Priscilla Emehelu, at the age of 65. The governor while swearing him in, said it was based on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC).

    The governor describing the exercise, which took place at the state government house said “God’s will, made manifest at God’s own time” and congratulated the new Chief Judge.

    The governor expressed assurance that Ozoemena would bring juristic erudition, diverse experience and integrity to bear on the administration of the Enugu State Judiciary

    “I wish you well and pray God to grant you stellar career as the Chief Judge of Enugu State”, Ugwuanyi added.

    Responding, the new Chief Judge thanked the governor for his endurance and consistency in ensuring that he was sworn in as Acting Chief Judge for two consecutive times and then the substantive Chief Judge of the State.

    Ozoemena promised the governor of his cooperation and support of the State Judiciary under his watch.

    He pledged to maintain the tempo of peace and harmonious relationship that existed between the Executive and the Judiciary in the state.