Introduction
Born in March 20, 1964, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who became the Governor of Enugu State in 2015 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was widely seen as peace-loving, a dove, that is. He holds a master’s degree in Business Administration and worked in the Insurance industry where he rose to the position of General Manager before he won the seat to the House of Representatives to represent Igboeze-North/Udenu Federal Constituency, a position he held for 12 years before being elected as governor of Enugu State. Since then, he has managed the affairs of the Coal City State. On May 29, 2023, he is expected to hand over the baton of leadership to a new Governor having served his constitutionally-sanctioned two terms.
Preamble
In this research undertaken by Ikengaonline (a non-profit media organisation dedicated to public accountability and good governance) in collaboration with Dataphyte (a data analytics company) under the auspices of WSCIJ, the eight-year administration of Gov. Lawrence Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who mounted the saddle as Enugu State Governor on May 29, 2015, was x-rayed. Specific measurable values were considered, with a focus on key sectors of governance, to determine the impact of the administration on the people.
Mode of Data Collection
Data were collected using various processes and methods, which include but are not limited to site visits, inspection of documents, review of government records under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, interviews, and testimonials. Where necessary, experts were called upon to shed more light on a subject.
Having collected the data, a thorough analysis was carried out by numerous stakeholders, comprising a team of policy experts, seasoned journalists, and representatives of Civil Society Organizations, as well as other relevant bodies. A three-tier scoring system was adopted to rate the administration’s overall performance in a particular sector. Consistent with investigative journalism best practices, the goal is to present the facts objectively and dispassionately, without compromising sources and methods.
Summary of Performance
Governor Ugwuanyi’s performance was assessed across nine critical administrative areas, which collectively represent the entire scope of the research (100%). Regrettably, he failed to score a pass in any of the categories (0%). Furthermore, he failed in 78% of the categories, while in 22% of all the assessed criteria, the results were inconclusive and couldn’t be definitively classified as a pass or a fail (Indeterminate).
The Full Report
Respect for the Rule of Law
In a series of lawsuits against the Gov. Ugwuanyi-led administration in Enugu State, various interest groups and trade unions have taken legal action. Some of these cases have seen court rulings favoring the plaintiffs. The crucial aspect under scrutiny is the administration’s commitment to upholding the rule of law by faithfully implementing these court judgments and rulings.
Case No.1: Agricultural and Allied Employees Union (AAEU) v. Attorney-General of Enugu State
A noteworthy judgment delivered by the esteemed Hon. Justice I. J. Essien of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Enugu Division, on February 8, 2018, has been closely examined. The court ordered the Enugu State Government to remit the unlawfully deducted check-off dues from the members of the AAEU.
In his ruling, the judge made resounding declarations, stating that the deduction of check-off dues from the claimant’s members in Enugu State without remittance to the claimant is not only illegal and unlawful but also null and void. Furthermore, the Judge unequivocally deemed this act unconstitutional and devoid of any effect whatsoever.
Case No. 2: Upholding Education Rights – Proprietors Association of Private Schools (PAPS) v. Enugu State Ministry of Education
In a landmark legal battle that unfolded in 2022, the Enugu State High Court issued an interlocutory injunction that shook the foundation of education in the state. This injunction restrained the State Ministry of Education from imposing, demanding, or collecting fees for crucial basic education examinations.
These examinations, including the Common Entrance Examination, First School Leaving Certificate Examination, State Uniform Examinations, and the Basic Education Certificate Examination, are vital milestones in a student’s educational journey.
The plaintiff, the Proprietors Association of Private Schools (PAPS), represented by Barrister JMCC Ogbuka, challenged the legality of the state government’s fee collection in the main suit labeled 0B/22/2022. Ogbuka compellingly argued that the imposition, demand, and extortion of money from basic education pupils in the state for these examinations lacked any legal authorisation.
Moreover, he emphasized that such practices directly contravened the Compulsory Free Basic Education Act 2004 and the Child Rights Acts 2003, both of which are existing laws enacted by the National Assembly.
In a momentous ruling, Justice C.C Ani, the presiding judge of the Udenu Judicial Division, not only recognized the urgency and importance of the matter but also granted the prayers of the applicants. Justice Ani declared that the state must immediately desist from any further imposition, demand, forceful collection, or extortion of funds from primary 1 to JSS 3 classes in all public and private schools across the state.
The implications of this case are profound. At its core, this legal battle underscores the significance of accessible and inclusive education for every child, regardless of their socioeconomic background. The court’s intervention, preventing the state from burdening students and their families with additional financial constraints, speaks volumes about the importance of upholding the rights of the most vulnerable members of society.
Case No. 3: Protecting the Rights of Tricycle Operators – Tricycle Operators Association of Nigeria v. Enugu State Government.
In yet another blow to the state, a resounding declaration was made by Hon. Justice Oluwakayode Ojo of the Enugu Division of the Industrial Court of Nigeria.
This case was brought forward by the Tricycle Operators Association of Nigeria, who sought justice for the extortion and imposition of illegal levies imposed upon their members by agents of the state government.
In a landmark ruling, the Court left no room for ambiguity. It unequivocally affirmed that the claimants, being a registered trade union with a primary objective to organize, regulate, and promote the business activities of tricycle operators across Nigeria, have the inherent right to be recognized and allowed to operate freely in Enugu State, just as they do in other states.
Furthermore, the Court issued a powerful directive to the State Government, commanding them to cease any further interference in the operations of tricycle operators. This decision aimed to put an end to the unjust arrests and detentions that these operators had faced while simply carrying out their legitimate activities. The Court declared such actions by the state as not only illegal but also null and void, upholding the tricycle operators’ rights and dignity.
In a resolute stance against the unlawful practices imposed upon tricycle operators, the Industrial Court further condemned the collection of emblem fees and licenses from these hardworking individuals in the state. This declaration emphasized the unlawfulness, illegality, and unconstitutionality of such practices, delivering a powerful message that the rights of tricycle operators must be protected and respected.
Case No. 4: Ending the Burden of Multiple Taxation – Dr. Afam Edeh vs. Enugu East Local Government
In a groundbreaking legal battle that unfolded in 2020, an Enugu High Court delivered a judgment that struck at the heart of multiple taxation imposed on business operators within the state. This case, brought forward by Dr. Afam Edeh, challenged the excessive levies imposed by the Enugu East Local Government.
After hearing the compelling arguments put forth by the plaintiff’s counsel, Olu Omotayo, Esq., Justice Cyprian Ajah made a resolute ruling. Justice Ajah emphasized that the power to impose such taxes had been granted to the state by the “Taxes and Levies (Approved list for collection) Act, Cap T2 Laws of the Federation 2011,” enacted by the National Assembly in accordance with Sections 7 and 8, Part 11 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
In the landmark judgment delivered in Suit No: E/257/2020, Dr. Afam Edeh vs. Enugu East Local Government & another, the court boldly declared that the collection of business premises levies by Local Government Areas in Nigeria and their officials from citizens was unequivocally illegal.
This ruling carries profound significance for businesses and entrepreneurs across the state. It upholds the principle of fairness and protects them from the undue burden of multiple taxation. The court’s decision sends a clear message that local government authorities must adhere to the laws and regulations established by the National Assembly.
The impact of this case extends far beyond the immediate parties involved. It challenges the status quo and sets a precedent for future taxation practices, not only within Enugu State but throughout Nigeria. The ruling serves as a beacon of hope for business owners, ensuring that they can operate in an environment that fosters growth and economic prosperity, free from the shackles of excessive taxation.
Summary
Our extensive investigation into the aforementioned cases has uncovered a pattern of partial compliance by the State Government, coupled with insidious attempts to undermine the court rulings through subtle threats, blackmail, and underhanded tactics. These tactics have also included alleged inducements to union leaders, further compromising the integrity of the legal process.
For instance, when the ruling on the illegal payment of Common Entrance Examination fees by private schools was issued, the State Government swiftly retaliated by releasing a circular that posed a grave threat to the very existence of unregistered private schools in the state, which amounted to over a thousand establishments. The names of these schools were circulated and publicly disclosed. We learned that behind closed doors, some form of covert out-of-court negotiations were underway, as the government sought to manipulate the situation. This questionable behavior casts doubts on the government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and honoring the sanctity of court decisions.
Regarding the collection of levies by state agents acting through the Local Governments, the responsibility for this collection has been conveniently outsourced to private companies, following the court ruling. However, instead of professional government agents, we discovered young boys and girls, employed by these private entities, stationed along roadsides, doling out receipts to tricycle operators and bus drivers, all the while making returns to the government. This dubious arrangement raises serious concerns about accountability, transparency, and the government’s true intentions in resolving the issue.
Tragically, some local government agents have blatantly disregarded the court ruling that stripped them of the power to collect levies. They continue to harass, intimidate, and unlawfully seize people’s belongings in their shops, all in the name of collecting illegal levies on business premises.
This flagrant defiance of the court’s decision reflects a dangerous disregard for the rule of law and an alarming abuse of power by those entrusted to serve and protect the interests of the community. These revelations paint a distressing picture of a government that, despite judicial interventions, persists in finding loopholes and alternative means to maintain its stranglehold on power and financial gain. Such actions undermine the very essence of justice and erode public trust in the fairness and impartiality of the system.
The implications of these cases stretch far beyond the immediate parties involved. It speaks to the fundamental principles upon which our legal system is built—fairness, justice, and the rule of law. The implementation of court judgments and rulings is a litmus test for any administration’s commitment to upholding these principles. Upholding the rule of law is not a mere formality; it is a cornerstone of a democratic society.
Implementation of Local Government Autonomy:
In Enugu State, there are 17 Local Government Councils, each headed by a Chairman who serves as the political and administrative leader. On the surface, these Chairmen hold the authority and responsibility for their respective councils. However, our in-depth investigation has exposed a stark reality: the true power and control lie in the hands of the Governor.
Despite being designated as the Administrative Head and Accounting Officer of their councils, the Chairmen are mere puppets in the grand scheme of governance. They are bound by unwavering loyalty to the incumbent Governor and obediently carry out directives issued by their political superior.
This revelation highlights the dominance of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the Chairmen of all the Local Government Councils in Enugu State. The party exercises absolute control and commands the unwavering loyalty of these appointed officials. This control extends to the financial realm, where the councils receive their allocations directly from the Federation Allocation.
Our investigation has discovered that the monthly allocations to the councils average around N170 million, with the exception of Nsukka area council, which receives a little over N200 million. However, while the councils are entrusted with collecting these funds, a significant percentage is surreptitiously siphoned off by the State Government.
An retired accountant, with insider knowledge, described this situation as the proverbial “hand of Esau and voice of Jacob.” He revealed that the councils merely serve as conduits for the funds, while the State Government exerts control over their expenditure. In fact, there have been instances where the councils struggled to pay their workers, necessitating direct intervention from the Governor to ensure timely payment.
Regrettably, this pattern of control and manipulation transcends successive administrations, and not unique to the Ugwuanyi government. Council finances are predominantly utilised for political engagements orchestrated by the State Government, rather than being channeled towards essential community development initiatives.
The plight of the local government staff is emblematic of the larger issue at hand. Their voices go unheard as they witness the erosion of their council’s autonomy and the subjugation of their Chairmen to the whims of the State Government. The Councils, once envisioned as pillars of grassroots governance, have been reduced to mere instruments for political expediency.
Security
In the past two years, Enugu State has been gripped by a relentless surge of violence and attacks, with over 100 incidents shaking the very foundations of security within the state.
These attacks, targeting both armed security personnel and innocent civilians, have grown alarmingly in frequency and intensity. The perpetrators, believed to be diverse groups including Fulani herders encroaching on communities, have unleashed a reign of terror. Among the areas severely affected is the Eha-Amufu Community, which has witnessed repeated raids by marauding killer herders, sparking what is often labeled as a “herders/farmers clash” over valuable farmlands.
These clashes, often with the herders assuming the role of aggressors, have occurred in various local government areas, including Isi Uzo, Uzo Uwani, Igboeze South, Nkanu East, Udi, Ezeagu, Aninri, Aku in Igbo-etiti, and Awgu, among others. The impact of these attacks on unarmed citizens has been devastating, leaving a trail of victims in their wake.
Another form of attack that has ravaged the state is suspected to be the work of hoodlums cloaking themselves in the guise of secessionist agitations. They ruthlessly target security operatives, including the Army, Police, Civil Defense, and Vigilantes, as well as individuals whom they perceive as unsupportive of their cause. These assailants show no mercy, executing ambushes on road checkpoints, abducting innocent civilians, and at times subjecting their victims to horrific rituals.
These killers operate with impunity in forested areas such as Awgu, Aninri, Igboeze North, Igboeze South, and Isi Uzo. The wanton loss of life is also attributable to criminal gangs masquerading as cultists, wreaking havoc both on and off campuses. Their primary targets are rival factions, but tragically, unsuspecting members of the public also fall victim to their ruthless attacks.
Political thuggery represents yet another sinister dimension of the crisis, particularly during the lead-up to general election. Politically motivated violence has surged in recent times, with the 2023 election acting as a catalyst for an upsurge in such attacks.
Ikengaonline’s exhaustive investigation reveals a chilling reality: more than 100 attacks have been reported across various parts of the state in the past two years. However, the true extent of the violence remains difficult to ascertain due to ongoing counter operations conducted by police and other security agencies.
A reliable security source who spoke to Ikengaonline, estimated the number of attacks to be well over 100, reflecting the grave magnitude of the crisis. “I cannot provide an exact figure for the attacks as our counter operations with the police and other security agencies are ongoing. However, I can confidently state that I have participated in investigating more than 100 incidents in the past two years,” the source revealed.
A vigilante personnel in Igboeze North Local Government Area, preferring anonymity, disclosed that the area alone has witnessed over 40 attacks in the past two years. “Here in Igboeze North, soldiers have been targeted repeatedly, our neighborhood watch office has been assaulted, and our operatives have lost their lives. Ordinary people have fallen victim on numerous occasions, even within the confines of the marketplace,” the source revealed.
It should be noted, however, that the security challenge over these past several years is not unique to the Ugwuanyi administration or Enugu State. The government has in many instances tried to strengthen security through the use of forest guards and community policing using vigilante groups with some limited success.
The security challenges facing Enugu is part of an ongoing trend in the country where a garden variety of non-state actors have continued to unleash daily deadly attacks on the citizens while the government charged with the protection of lives and property falls short on that solemn responsibility.
Finance
BUDGET
Based on our analysis of Enugu State’s budget documents, the total budget between 2015 and 2023 amounted to N1.21 trillion. The highest budget was recorded in 2021, reaching N186.64 billion. Out of this amount, N101.13 billion was allocated for capital expenditure, while N68.71 billion was dedicated to recurrent expenditure.
Further scrutiny of the state’s budget reveals a shift in expenditure allocation trends. Between 2015 and 2019, Enugu State allocated a larger portion of its budget to recurrent expenditure. However, starting from 2020, a greater proportion of the budget was directed towards capital expenditure.
In total, out of the N1.21 trillion budget over the span of nine years, Enugu State allocated 50.11 percent to capital expenditure and 49.89 percent to recurrent expenditure.
INTERNALLY GENERATED REVENUE (IGR)
A significant component of a state’s fiscal size is its internally generated revenue (IGR). Enugu State generates its IGR through various means, including Pay-As-You-Earn Tax (PAYE), direct assessment, road taxes, and revenues from ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Enugu State generated a total of N158.01 billion as internal revenue between 2015 and 2021.
In 2020, the state’s IGR faced a decrease of 24.08 percent. This decline can be attributed, among other factors, to the impact of the Corona-virus pandemic on the economies of many states in Nigeria and globally. Fortunately, by 2021, the state had started to exhibit signs of recovery, generating higher revenues compared to previous years, except for 2019.
THE FEDERATION ACCOUNT ALLOCATION COMMITTEE (FAAC)
Every month, the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) distributes funds among Nigeria’s three tiers of government. These funds consist of government revenue generated from taxes, oil sales, and other statutory sources in the previous month.
In 2015, Enugu State received a total FAAC allocation of N40.11 billion. However, in 2016, the allocation decreased to only N25.46 billion, marking a significant decline of 36.53 percent compared to the previous year. Nonetheless, by 2017, the state experienced a noteworthy increase of 44.73 percent in its allocation.
The year 2018 witnessed Enugu State’s highest FAAC allocation of N69.17 billion. Since then, the state has consistently received allocations above N58 billion, never falling below that threshold.
Overall, Enugu State received a cumulative FAAC disbursement of N360.50 billion between 2015 and 2021.
DEBT PROFILE
Another important metric to examine is the state’s debt profile. In 2015, data from the Debt Management Office (DMO) indicated that Enugu State had a total domestic debt of N37.55 billion. This debt increased in 2016 and 2017 but experienced a slight decrease in 2018.
Apart from the marginal decrease in 2018, Enugu State’s domestic debt consistently grew each year, reaching a peak of N91.86 billion in 2022. As a result, Enugu State ranks 26th among states with the highest domestic debt as of the end of 2022.
The state’s foreign debt has also exhibited a significant increase since 2015. Analysis of Enugu State’s foreign obligations reveals a remarkable 68.26 percent rise in external debt between 2015 and 2022.
EDUCATION BUDGET
Education is one of the fundamental pillars of society, recognised by the United Nations (UN) as a key factor in overcoming poverty. Due to its crucial role, there have been widespread calls for governments to increase funding for education. Dataphyte’s analysis of the Enugu State education budget revealed that between 2018 and 2023, a total of N141.25 billion was allocated to the education sector.
Further examination indicates that since 2022, there have been declines in the education budget of Enugu State. The 2023 budget allocation for education was only 2.76 percent higher than the allocation in 2018.
DAYS OUT OF SCHOOL (STRIKES)
In Nigeria, various professionals have embarked on strike actions for different reasons, and teachers/lecturers are not exempt from this. For example, between 1999 and 2022, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) went on 16 strikes, resulting in a total of 1,539 days of school closures for Nigerian public university students.
Dataphyte’s findings also revealed that primary school teachers in Enugu State have engaged in several strikes, causing disruptions to students’ learning.
In May 2022, primary school teachers in the state embarked on a month-long strike. The strike began on May 6, 2022, and was only suspended on June 8, 2022. The teachers took this action due to the state government’s failure to pay them the N30,000 minimum wage.
Similarly, in 2022, primary school teachers initiated an “indefinite strike” on July 28, demanding the same N30,000 minimum wage. The strike was lifted on August 26, 2022, resulting in an estimated 24 days of school closures for the students.
PERFORMANCE IN NATIONAL EXAMINATION(WAEC)
Every year, students from Nigeria and four other West African countries (Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and The Gambia) participate in the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) examinations.
In 2016, out of the 1.75 million students (from both public and private schools) who took the examination in Nigeria, 47,463 were from Enugu State.
According to data from the NBS, out of the 47,463 students from Enugu State, 26,991 achieved five credits and above, including Mathematics and English, representing a pass rate of 56.87 percent.
In 2017, the state recorded a pass rate of 68.70 percent. However, in 2018, it dropped below 60 percent, marking the state’s lowest performance during the period under review.
NUMBER OF OUT-OF-SCHOOL CHILDREN
In 2018, data from the NBS revealed that there were 82,050 out-of-school children in Enugu State, with males accounting for 75.16 percent of the figure and females accounting for 24.84 percent.
Although the NBS has not released recent data on the number of out-of-school children in the country, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reported in 2022 that there were now 20 million out-of-school children in Nigeria.
This represents a significant increase from the estimated 10.19 million reported by the NBS in its 2022 report.
According to a report published by The Guardian in 2022, the number of out-of-school children in Enugu State was estimated at 117,091. With this number from The Guardian report, the number of out-of-school children in Enugu State witnessed a 42.71 percent increase compared to the 2018 figure.
Health
HEALTHCARE BUDGET
Data gleaned from the Nigeria Governors Forum show that between 2018 and 2023, a total of N69.75 billion was allocated to the state’s healthcare sector. In 2018, the healthcare budget was N13.31 billion. The following year, the healthcare budget dropped to N10.46 billion, indicating a 21.41 percent decrease.
In 2020, the healthcare budget increased to N12.40 billion, being the second-highest budget that has been allocated to the healthcare sector in the period under review. Between 2021 and 2023, the state’s healthcare spending was below N12 billion.
ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE: PRIMARY/SECONDARY/TERTIARY
The Nigerian healthcare system has a three-tier structure, namely primary, secondary, and tertiary. As noted in several reports, easy access to adequate healthcare has been a major challenge in the country. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality considers access to healthcare as consisting of four components—coverage, services, timeliness, and workforce. Thus, access to healthcare in Enugu State will be considered under these components where data are available.
According to data from NBS, 3.6 percent of women aged 15 to 49 in Enugu State are covered by health insurance. While for men in the same age bracket, only 2.4 percent are covered. Data further reveal that 3.2 percent of the children under the age of five in the state were covered by health insurance, while those aged 5 to 17 years were pegged at 3.3 percent.
There are no data to fully assess the second component – service. However, Enugu State was rated as the second best performing in primary healthcare service delivery in Nigeria between 2019 and 2021 by ONE Campaign, an international organiSation. The state came second after the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). But an Ikengaonline 2022 investigative report on the state of healthcare in Enugu State did put a lie to that award.
DOCTOR-TO-PATIENT-RATIO
One of the major challenges in the Nigerian health sector is the lack of adequate medical personnel to meet the needs of the country’s increasing population. This is evident in the low doctor-to-patient ratio, which has been exacerbated by the recent mass migration of doctors from the country. In 2018, according to data from NBS, Enugu had 2,685 doctors. With the state’s estimated population of 4.68 million, the doctor-to-patient ratio was 1:1,744, meaning there was one doctor per 1,744 people. Compared to other states in the South-East region, Enugu State fared better.
However, in 2019, the number of doctors in the state dropped drastically to 440, making the doctor-to-patient ratio 1:10,969. There wasn’t much difference in 2020. The state’s doctor-to-patient ratio was estimated at 1:10,883.
CONDITION OF PUBLIC HEALTH FACILITIES
Although Enugu State was said to have emerged as the second-best performing state in primary healthcare service delivery in Nigeria between 2019 and 2021, several reports have claimed that the condition of public health facilities in the state is pitiable.
For instance, a report by Enujuba Alexander in 2019 noted that many of the primary health facilities in the state were dilapidated and poorly equipped. The report further noted that many of the workers were accused of nonchalance in their duty. Last year, Ikengaonline corroborated Alexander’s report on the pitiable condition of many of the primary healthcare facilities, with a particular reference to Amalla-Orba Comprehensive Health Centre in Udenu Local Government Area.
Infrastructure
At the inception of the Ugwuanyi administration 8 years ago, the Governor promised to prioritise infrastructural development in Enugu, specifically road construction. However, little was accomplished in this area, with few new roads constructed and existing ones poorly maintained and riddled with potholes.
Enugu State was among the beneficiaries of the World Bank’s Rural Access Mobility Project (RAMP-2), which funded the earthwork and drainage system of many roads connecting rural communities. At an event in December 2020, the governor promised to asphalt all these roads by 2021 and 2022, but this did not materialise.
The administration’s biggest road projects, including the Neke-Mbu and Ogbodu Aba road, the Ukpabi-Nimbo-Ugbene Ajima-Eziani, and the Owere-Umuabor-Edem Umabor-Aguudene-Mbu road, involved asphalting roads already worked on under the RAMP-2 programme.
Despite these shortcomings, the administration can point to some successes, such as the Opi-Nsukka urban road, the rehabilitation of the Milliken Hill section of the 9th Mile – Ekochin-Ngwo-Milliken Hill – New Market federal road, and the flyover bridge project at Nike Lake/T-Junction. However, many have questioned the utility of the flyover bridge project compared to the dualisation of the Opi-Ugwogo-Nike Road, which has become a hot spot for kidnappings.
In contrast, Governor Sullivan Chime’s administration oversaw a massive infrastructural boost, particularly in Enugu urban, where new access roads were built to connect rural and sub-urban communities to the cities. The Akwata bypass, a notorious traffic nightmare, was fixed, and new layouts and networks of roads were inaugurated, complete with neon lights to control traffic flow.
The administration also built a new civil service secretariat complex to replace an old one from the colonial era and initiated the construction of a multi-billion Naira Enugu State Medical Diagnostic Centre, which was almost complete by the end of Chime’s tenure and has since been handed over to the Federal Government. Overall, while there were some achievements under Governor Ugwuanyi’s administration, the scale of infrastructure development falls short compared to his predecessor’s accomplishments.
Gender Inclusivity
When Governor Ugwuanyi assumed office in 2015, there was widespread anticipation that his administration would be at the forefront of championing gender equality and inclusivity in Enugu State. Stakeholders were filled with optimism, believing that the government would finally give women their rightful place in the governance of the state.
This hope was further buoyed by the fact that Governor Ugwuanyi’s Deputy, Mrs Cecilia Ezeilo, is a woman. Her presence in such a significant position reignited the confidence of many women who believed that their voices would finally be heard.
In 2016, shortly after assuming office, Mrs Ezeilo, during the training of 600 women in the software Information Technology (IT) Infusion Programme at the Enugu State Tech Hub Center, reiterated the government’s commitment to creating wealth for women and youths in the state. Her words inspired hope and reinforced the belief that tangible progress towards gender inclusivity was imminent.
Another initiative, the “Arise Women and Blow-my-mind Software Infusion Programme,” was launched by the administration. It was the largest Software Infusion Programme in the state, prioritising women with a ratio of 400 women to 200 men. Such programs were seen as concrete steps towards achieving gender balance and empowering women in various sectors.
Furthermore, the Enugu State Government made a commendable move by incorporating and implementing a gender policy in all public establishments and offices, with support from the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID). The initiative, known as ENGAGE (the Enabling Growth And Access for Girls and Women Project), aimed to foster gender equality and create an enabling environment for girls and women.
However, an in-depth investigation conducted by Ikengaonline has revealed that despite the promises and initiatives, little has been accomplished in terms of achieving the long-awaited gender balance in the state.
For instance, out of over 25 Commissioners in the state, only three are women, holding positions in Gender Affairs, Finance, and Special Duties.
This stark disparity raises concerns about the true commitment of the government to gender inclusivity. It is disheartening to witness such minimal representation of women in key decision-making roles.
Additionally, the establishment of gender desks in various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) appears to be nothing more than a mere policy statement, lacking functionality in practice. A director in one of the MDAs, speaking anonymously, expressed disillusionment, describing the implementation of the gender policy as a facade.
“The policy is nonexistent as far as I am concerned,” she revealed, highlighting the stark reality that gender inclusivity remains a distant aspiration rather than a tangible reality.
Water & Sanitation
Throughout Ugwuanyi’s eight-year tenure, residents of Enugu metropolis experienced a crippling shortage of potable water and major issues with refuse disposal in most areas of the city. Residents were forced to rely on water vendors for their daily water needs, making it unaffordable for many people.
In addition to the water scarcity problem, refuse disposal also became a big issue in Enugu State. The state capital, Enugu, is now littered with heaps of garbage due to the inability of the government to effectively manage waste. The state government has not provided adequate refuse collection and disposal services, leading to piles of refuse on the streets with the attendant health consequences.
When the administration of former governor Sullivan Chime came on board in 2007, it sought to modernise refuse collection, disposal, and solid waste management by procuring more than 15 waste disposal compactors and over one hundred dumpsters which were deployed in all parts of Enugu metropolis and Nsukka Urban.
In 2011, the Chime administration also took delivery of 285 refuse bin holding pads, built 283 conventional refuse bin slabs and fire motorised bin slabs in major urban roads in the state capital and Nsukka. The former governor per report also approved the purchase of earth moving equipment for ESWAMA, including three tippers, two bulldozers and pail loaders each.
In an investigation report published by Arinze Chijioke, it was alleged that the problem of waste managed came partly because the state government decided to strip the Enugu State Waste Management Authority (ESWAMA), existing waste management body of its responsible for waste disposal and handed it over to a committee that is only answerable to the governor.
The Ugwuanyi administration failed to maintain the waste disposal compactors provided for waste management and now relies on rickety trucks that take days to clear wastes. The state’s water and sanitation situation requires urgent attention from the government to improve the lives of the people and promote public health.
Scoring System
Pass: When the administration is deemed to have performed creditably in a particular sector.
Fail: When the administration is deemed to have performed woefully in a particular sector.
Indeterminate: When the facts are not compelling enough to score the administration’s performance in that sector as a pass or fail or when outcomes do not match investments.
A research by Ikengaonline in collaboration with Dataphyte under the auspices of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), this report was made possible through the generous support of John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
