Nwifuru has performed well in key areas of governance in three years – Onyike

A former Commissioner for Information in Ebonyi State and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abia Onyike, has commended Governor Francis Nwifuru for what he described as remarkable performance across critical sectors of governance within three years in office.

Speaking in an interview with Business Hallmark, Onyike said the Nwifuru administration had prioritised the welfare of workers, healthcare, education, empowerment, infrastructure and peace-building in the state.

According to him, every administration has its own priorities, and Governor Nwifuru identified the immediate needs of Ebonyi people upon assumption of office.

“Every government has its own unique priorities. What I believe about the government of Governor Nwifuru is that when he came in, he assessed the problems on the ground in Ebonyi State and decided to prioritise certain sectors,” Onyike said.

Gov Nwifuru on project inspection

He noted that one of the administration’s earliest interventions was the clearance of gratuities owed to retired civil servants, teachers and local government workers.

“First and foremost, he had to clear the backlog of gratuities owed to retired civil servants, and the money involved was not less than N20 billion.

“He cleared the gratuities for teachers, civil servants and local government staff across the entire state because the previous administration had neglected those responsibilities. For eight years, nobody was paid anything.”

Onyike further stated that the governor tackled unemployment by lifting the embargo on employment in the state public service.

“He also tackled the issue of unemployment in the state because for eight years, the previous administration did not employ a single individual into the public service of Ebonyi State.

Ebonyi State University of ICT, Oferekpe Agbaja in Izzi Local Government Area,

“So he lifted the ban on employment and was able to recruit about 1,500 civil servants into the mainstream civil service. He also employed about 2,000 teachers.”

He added that the administration recruited health professionals to address manpower shortages in public hospitals.

“In sectors where manpower was needed, particularly in healthcare, he employed medical professionals such as doctors, pharmacists and others who had hitherto not been employed.

“At that time, the 14 general hospitals in the state had only about seven medical doctors in total. That meant some hospitals had no doctors at all.

“What the governor did was to employ more doctors to ensure that each hospital had at least three medical doctors. He also increased their salaries and allowances to the point that the running cost for doctors in each hospital is now about N500,000 monthly.

“The general hospitals are now functioning because he also ensured the provision of drugs and other equipment necessary for effective healthcare delivery.”

On education, Onyike said the administration revived scholarship programmes abandoned by the previous government while also recruiting teachers to strengthen learning in public schools.

“In the educational sector, he employed teachers and boosted the sector. He has also awarded scholarships to many Ebonyi students.

“Under the previous administration, no single individual had access to scholarships. In fact, the scholarship scheme that existed in the state was discontinued by the previous administration.

“So Nwifuru restored it, and as we speak, not less than 2,000 Ebonyians are studying in various universities in the United Kingdom and selected Nigerian universities for Master’s and PhD programmes. Some of them have already started graduating.”

He also pointed to ongoing infrastructural development, especially within the state capital.

“For infrastructure, the Abakaliki metropolis has undergone a major facelift because all the roads in the city are being rehabilitated and asphalted.”

According to Onyike, Governor Nwifuru’s inclusive approach to governance has helped restore peace and stability in the state.

“His administration has also tried to restore peace and tranquillity in the state, quite unlike what happened during the previous administration.

“There is now a policy of non-interference in community development issues. As we speak, the state government does not dictate who leads the development unions in various communities. That was one of the major causes of crises in the past.”

He argued that the governor’s leadership style has generally reduced political tension and improved governance.

“There is a deliberate effort to ensure peace, stability and tranquillity in Ebonyi State because of Nwifuru’s approach to governance. He is more consultative and inclusive, and this is generally acknowledged across the state.”

Rural road

Speaking on youth empowerment, Onyike disclosed that the administration had empowered thousands of young people financially.

“The governor started a youth empowerment programme which includes training and financial support for young people to establish businesses.

“As we speak, over 30,000 youths have received financial support to streamline their business activities and establish small-scale enterprises. They were given about N2 million each.”

On security, he said Ebonyi now enjoys relative peace and improved governance.

“Security-wise, there is generally peace in the state. Ebonyi now enjoys a peaceful atmosphere. There is a deliberate effort to restore good governance.”

Onyike further argued that the state civil service had regained stability under Nwifuru after years of neglect.

“Another thing is that the Ebonyi State civil service under Nwifuru has returned to normalcy.

“The entitlements and allowances denied to civil servants by the previous government have been quietly restored by Nwifuru. The civil service is now functioning again as a key instrument for the development of the state.”

He contrasted the current administration with that of former governor and current Minister of Works, David Umahi.

“Quite unlike what happened during the time of Umahi, when the civil service was destroyed completely because that government was founded on dictatorship, Nwifuru believes all ministries and parastatals should function effectively and assume full responsibility for their duties.”

He noted that the governor had also improved funding for boards and parastatals.

“They are now properly funded to carry out their responsibilities. Payments to members of various boards and parastatals have also been significantly increased.

“For instance, at the Ebonyi State Broadcasting Service, when the former governor was in office, each board member received about N70,000 monthly. Under the present government, each person now receives about N450,000 monthly. That same approach applies across boards and parastatals in the state.”

Highlighting additional achievements of the administration, Onyike listed road construction projects, modern classroom blocks and housing for traditional rulers.

“Governor Nwifuru has also accomplished the following: construction of roads in communities across the state; construction of expansive model classroom blocks in selected secondary schools, with three schools selected from each of the 13 local government areas; and the building of duplexes for traditional rulers in the state.”

He described the administration as people-oriented and rooted in the philosophy of service.

“Nwifuru’s government is people-centred and people-oriented. His administration is a continuation of the efforts made by former governors, Senator Sam Egwu and Chief Martin Elechi.

“These leaders emulated the philosophy of the late Dr Akanu Ibiam, who emphasised selfless service to humanity.”