Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Agbaja Leaders of Thought comprising indigenes of Ezeagu and Udi Local Government areas in Enugu State have called on the Federal Government to revive the abandoned coal mines in the state.
The group led by the former Power and Mines Minister, Prof Chinedu Nebo, made the call in Enugu on Sunday during its meeting.
In a presentation made by Prof. Ike Oluka, the Chairman Strategy and Planning of the leaders of thought, they expressed dismay that the abandonment of the coal mines had posed serious ecological challenges to the state.
Oluka said the coal mines needed urgent attention to avoid endangering future generations.
According to the cultural group, the improper closure of the underground mine tunnels and dangers of landslides are worrisome.
They urged the Federal Government to investigate the alleged illegal sales of property of both the Nigeria Coal Corporation and the Nigeria Railway Corporation in the state.
Oluka also urged the state government to hasten development of the Free Trade Zone at the 9th Mile in Udi LGA proposed by previous administrations to boost the economy of the state through job and wealth creation.
On the current security challenges in the state, the former minister urged Agbaja people to support the efforts of the state governor, Dr Peter Mbah, to nip the ugly trend in the bud.
Nebo, a onetime Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), commended the governor for the quality of the Closed Circuit Television (CCTV ) camera being installed in some parts of the state and pledged the readiness of the group in complementing his efforts to keep Enugu State safe.
Addressing the group, Mr Arinze Chilo-Offiah, the Special Adviser to the governor on Micro Small Medium Enterprises, urged communities in the state to donate lands to investors willing to invest in the state.
Chilo-Offiah, who hails from the area, noted that many investors left the state due to attacks and unfriendly attitudes by some communities who scrambled for lands for selfish reasons.
The governor’s aide, however, advised the group to form investment promotion authority in partnership with the state government with a view to attracting investors and developments in their various communities.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Udi Local Government Area, Mr Philip Okoh, disclosed that efforts were in top gear by the state government to establish a Trailers Park as well as construct a flyover at the 9th Mile corner to ease traffic in the area.
Okoh said that he had intensified security in volatile areas in the local government by clearing the bush parts covering the roads for easy identification of suspected hoodlums among other achievements.
The Chairman of Ezeagu council area, Mr Chukwudi Ozoeluba told the group that some Chinese investors had already began establishing a big poultry in the area adding that he had set up a vigilance group to ensure adequate security in the council area.
Others who spoke at the meeting including members of the Board of Trustees of the group, Rev. Ugo Chime and Dame Sylvia Onwubemeli, stressed the need to establish ICT centers in rural areas to save students from traveling to the city for Computer based examinations.
