By Jude Chikadibia Okpor
As today marks the Second Anniversary of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru’s period in office, it is a great opportunity to look back at the significant accomplishments attained in the light of “The People Charter Needs,” his administration’s guiding policy. This forward-thinking policy, which emphasizes inclusivity, all-round development and progress, has no doubt reshaped government intervention in key areas.
Over the last two years, the governor’s steadfast dedication to judicious, fair and equitable distribution of the state’s resources has not only improved the quality of life for residents but has also turned the state into a shining example of comprehensive growth. This stretches from Education, Health, Agriculture, Ease of Doing Business, Civil and Public Service, Human Capital Management/Welfare of Ebonyians, Women and Child Care, Water Supply, Solid Minerals, Internal Security, Alternative Power, ICT and Smart City, Environment, Sports and Youths Development, Culture and Tourism, Housing and Estate, Infrastructure Development, Management and Maintenance, Religious and Welfare, Roads and Bridges, and Commerce & Commerce.
His Excellency strategically encapsulated the aforementioned key areas into a policy direction, which he code-named “The People Charter Needs.” Thus, this piece succinctly foregrounds the achievements made under his leadership, honouring a legacy filled with empowerment and innovation.
EDUCATION
Under Governor Nwifuru’s leadership, education has been prioritized as the foundation for developing human potential. A total of 232 students have been awarded a full and comprehensive scholarship to study at the University of Bolton Manchester, and Anglia Ruskin University Cambridge, United Kingdom, and close to 600 sponsored to study for their Masters and Doctorate programmes in different universities in Nigeria; Outstanding 700 million naira subvention to Ebonyi State University released; Subvention to Ebonyi State University increased from 150 million to 280 million naira monthly; Approval for payment of tuition fees by the students of Ebonyi State University in instalments; Reduction of tuition of fees by 10%; Increment of salaries of Academic and Non-Academic staff of EBSU by 20% and 10% respectively; Implementation of 65 years of age and 40 years of service for the retirement of teachers in the state; Construction of primary school classroom blocks in the state to reduce accommodation problems; Ongoing construction of state-of-the-art Senate Building at the University of ICT, Oferekpe; Ongoing construction of eight (8) 3-storey Hostel Blocks at the University of ICT and the University of Aeronautic Engineering; Fencing of the University of ICT and the University of Aeronautic Engineering; Ongoing construction of eight (8) 2-storey building for Junior Staff Quarters at the University of ICT and the University of Aeronautic Engineering; Ongoing construction of twelve (12) Faculty Buildings at the University of ICT and the University of Aeronautic Engineering and EBSU; Construction of 32 nos 12-classroom blocks for primary schools and 41nos 22-classroom blocks model secondary schools across the state, among many other interventions in the sector.
HEALTH
In the healthcare arena, the Governor’s commitment to quality service deliver has resulted in the Recruitment of over 200 health personnel to man the 13 General Hospitals in the state; Payment of over 100 million counterpart fund for 2023 routine immunization; Establishment of Drug Management Agency in the state; Approval of N500,000 for fuel allowance and monthly pay for medical doctors in the General Hospital, Ebonyi State; Establishment of Public Health eye Committee to checkmate visual challenges for Ebonyians; Establishment of a situation room where activities of the General Hospitals are monitored from the State Ministry of Health; Procurement of Hilux and Bus for IMPACT field work for effective monitoring, supervision and general implementation of actions in the Ministry; Renovation and equipping of the 171 Primary Healthcare Development Centers of the state; Procurement and distribution of 42 Changan Jeeps and Ambulances to the 13 General Hospitals and the Government Clinic; Procurement of 4 MRI machines and medical consumables for use in the 13 General Hospitals to the tune of 11.5 billion naira; Reclaiming the Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, formerly AE-FETHA2 from the Federal Government; Absorption of 124 Health Workers in AMURT-Assisted Healthcare Centres in the state; Procurement of oxygen Cylinder/Heads for the Healthcare centres in the state; Procurement of 2,515 delivery kits and 1300 baby shower packs for maternal and child health interventions across 503 PHCs in Ebonyi State; Procurement and distribution of 40 motorcycles to Rural Health Workers; Curtailed the spread of monkey-pox which was diagnosed in the state by the centre for disease control; Sponsorship of critical stakeholders to Germany and Kano to study their health systems for replication in the state health sector, et cetera.
AGRICULTURE
Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru-led administration has witnessed the commencement of Fertilizer Production at the State Fertilizer Factory, Abakaliki and expansion for production at optimum capacity; Procurement and distribution of 13,000 bags of fertilizers to rural farmers in the 2023 farming season; Approval and release of 100 million naira for rice and cassava production in 2023; Revitalization and expansion of the Nkaleke Hatchery to create massive jobs and raise internally-generated revenue; Procurement of brand 15 new agricultural equipment (tractors) for farming purposes; Ongoing construction of Ebonyi Feed mill to produce poultry, piggery and fishery feeds aimed at servicing the Ebonyi Integrated Farm and South-East, South-South and other parts of the country; Set up a taskforce on adulterated fertilizer; Construction of nine (9) bridges to connect markets and production sites; Enlistment of Ebonyi State as a Special Industrial Agro Processing Zone to increase household income and create massive jobs, increase access to infrastructure, food security and internally-generated revenue for government; Provision of cold vans for use abattoirs across the 13 LGAs through partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security; Development of multi-sectoral Action Plan for Food and Nutrition which will run till 2028; Procurement and distribution of 60,000 bags of fertilizers and other Agro inputs to genuine farmers for the 2023 and 2024 farming season; Development of Ebonyi State Climate Change Policy; Payment 100 million naira counterpart fund to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to boost agricultural activities in the state in 2023 and in 2024 doubled the counterpart fund by paying Two Hundred Million Naira (200,000,000); Signing of Subsidiary Loan Agreement (SLA) with the Federal Government as one of the few states to take part in Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) with payment of a counterpart fund of One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (150,000,000); Youth Training and empowerment on livestock production; Training and empowerment of women in agriculture in 2024 and 2025 with agricultural inputs; Approval of funds to breed chicks for the newly renovated Nkaliki Hatchery. The hatchery is expected to provide 2000 jobs at full capacity, many more.
EASE OF DOING BUSINESS
It can be said without fear of contradiction that Governor Francis has prioritized the Ease of Doing Business in the state. His policy stance in this dimension shows a real dedication to boosting the economy and creating jobs. By cutting down on unnecessary red tape, simplifying the taxation, permit and licensing processes, his administration created a smoother environment for businesses to launch, run, and grow. His Excellency’s approach not only reduces costs for operations but also draws in new investments and encourages local entrepreneurs. His kind of support allows businesses to concentrate on innovation and productivity, enhancing the state’s overall prosperity and solidifying its reputation as a business-friendly place, which in turn benefits the people by opening up more opportunities.
CIVIL AND PUBLIC SERVICE
His Excellency, in line with the People’s Charter of Needs mantra recorded a successful payment of gratuity for retirees from 2022 till date; Monthly payment of wage award of N10,000 to civil servants with effect from July 2023; Recruitment and deployment of 1,700 Ebonyians into the Civil and Judicial Service of the state; Regular payment of workers’ salaries; Full payment of outstanding pension and gratuity of retirees from 1996 to 2021; Payment of 100,000 Naira Christmas bonuses to all civil servants in 2023; Procurement of 4 Innoson CNG Buses for conveyance of civil servants; Approval of 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 arrears of promotion to civil servants; Launch of free Health Insurance of Civil Servants; Increment of monthly wage award from 10,000 to 20,000 with effect from May, 2024; Payment of 150,000 monthly bonuses to doctors working in the General Hospitals; Payment of Seventy-five Thousand (75,000) minimum wage to civil servants; Release of 2021, 2022 and 2023 promotion of civil servants; Approval of 2024 promotion and conversion for civil servants, and so on.
HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT/WELFARE OF EBONYIANS
This administration paid and distributed Debit Cards to 17000 beneficiaries across the 13 LGAs; Empowerment of 50 Ebonyians with Two Million Naira (N2M) each; Empowerment of 2040 Ebonyi people with N180,000 each under Labour Intensive Public Works of NG-CARES World Bank programme first Batch completed; Second Batch: Empowerment of 2040 Ebonyi people with N180,000 each under Labour Inclusive Public Works of NG-CARES World Bank programme, making it (N360,000), Three Hundred and Sixty Thousand Naira for each beneficiary; Empowerment of 1500 Ebony Youths with One Million Naira (N1,000,000) each drawn from the 13 Local Government Areas of the state; Distribution of food and rehabilitation/relief materials to 48,000 Ebonyians across the 13 LGAs; Disbursement and assessment of 10 Million Naira each to 31 communities for community development projects in the state; Increasing the number of CCT Beneficiaries in Ebonyi State from 43,000 to 220,000 beneficiaries; Profiling about 3000 Ebonyi Youths who are due and ready for the empowerment in all the 13 LGAs of Ebonyi State.; Empowerment of 1500 Ebonyi Youths with One Million Naira (1,000,000) each drawn from the 13 Local Government Areas of the state; Empowerment of the Amnesty Group with 2,000,000 each for 51 persons; Assisting in taking care of the welfare of the people in the tune 210,000,000 given to different individuals; Execution of community development projects across the 102 communities of the state in the tune of 1, 255, 000.000; Sponsorship of 200 Ebonyians with at least one from each political ward to embark on agro training of the prospective beneficiaries at the Called Servant to Serve (CSS) Farms, Nassarawa State; Procurement and donation of 32 Toyota Land cruisser Prado Jeeps to the Founding Fathers in appreciation of their selfless struggle for the creation of the state; Procurement and donation of 5 SUVs to the Catholic Mission in the state for evangelism in 2023; Distribution of 100,000 bags of rice to Ebonyians as palliatives to cushion the effect of the oil subsidy removal, and many more.
WOMEN AND CHILDREN
This administration has continued to prioritize issues of women and children. This assertion follows its numerous interventions in the area. This is equally evident in the records of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
WATER RESOURCES
From the Reactivation/rehabilitation of the Ezilo Water Scheme, reconnection of the scheme to the national grid, and gradual payment of the outstanding electricity bills, to repairs of distribution service lines within the Abakaliki Urban and extension of supply pipes, this administration has kept its words. There is an ongoing rehabilitation of the old Abakaliki water scheme, fencing of the central reservoir, fencing of the old Abakaliki water scheme and ancillary and works. The completion of civil works at the Ivo water project Ishiagu is done and dusted awaiting electrical and mechanical installations. The reactivation of Oferekpe water treatment plant, main supply line, fencing and ancillary works are ongoing. The construction of a water reservoir at Iboko is equally ongoing. To mention a few.
HOUSING AND ESTATE
His Excellency, by his avowed commitment, has equally made significant to this area. This can be seen in the construction of 140 Housing Units for the people of Amaeze and Izzo displaced during the Ezza/Ezillo communal crisis; ongoing efforts to construct Housing Units for persons displaced during the acquisition of the Centenary City land; Complete renovation of the dilapidated roof of the Staff Development Centre, Kpirikpiri, Abakaliki; Ongoing construction of 26 Housing Units (two per LGA) for selected widows; Approval for employment of 11 Builders to assist the state in the supervision of ongoing projects; construction of 26 Housing Units of 5-Bedroom Duplexes for Ebonyi State Senior Judges; Construction of over 143 Housing Units for the public/civil servants.
ROADS AND BRIDGES
That Governor Nwifuru’s infrastructure overhaul prominently features interventions in the construction and upgrade of roads and bridges cannot be gainsaid. This fact is evident in the ongoing construction of an overhead bridge and underpass at Vanco Junction, Abakaliki; Construction of three span Bridge (36m) along Ekka-Inyere Road Road (Akadoro River), Ezza North; Construction of three span Bridge (45m) (Akadoro River), Alubereke, Ezza North; Construction of three span Bridge (45m) with 2 nos 3m x 3m x 11 Box Culvert (triple and double cells) at Ike River, Ameke, Ishiagu, Ivo LGA and lots more. It must be stated that over 1000 kilometres of roads are currently undergoing construction in the state, with over 500 kilometres completed so far.
With the People’s Charter of Needs, no sector is being left behind. Solid Minerals, Internal Security, Alternative Power, ICT and Smart City, Environment, Sports and Youths Development, Culture and Tourism, Infrastructure Development, Management and Maintenance, Religious and Welfare, and Commerce & Industry, every area is receiving its deserved treat for the betterment of the state and its people and to the glory of God.
Governor Nwifuru’s two-year journey has been a shining example of people-focused leadership. By weaving together social welfare, economic growth, and top-notch infrastructure, he’s built a solid foundation for lasting prosperity. As Ebonyi State looks to the future, the “People Charter of Needs” mantra continues to shine as a beacon of hope, a promise that every citizen will flourish in the state they proudly call home.
Here is to a future as bright as the achievements we celebrate today!
Engr. Jude Chikadibia Okpor is the
Hon. Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Ebonyi State.
