Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Governor Peter Mbah assumed office on May 29, 2023, after his election on March 18, the same year.
Mbah on assumption of office promised to provide potable drinking water to every home in Enugu within his first 180 days in Office having observed that one of the critical needs of the people especially in the state capital is lack of drinking water.
The governor immediately went to work on provision of water by constructing water galleries in parts of the city and in 180 days he told the world while commissioning the water at 9th mile corner that he had fulfilled his promise on provision of water to the people.
Subsequently, Mbah commissioned the 9th Mile 24/7 Water Scheme in Enugu which, according to him was capable of producing 70 million litres of water per day.
To ensure that water supply is guaranteed to Enugu residents, Governor Mbah built a 4.4mw gas-powered plant.
According to the governor: “It was clear to us, that the status of water supply at the time was deplorable. At that time, there had been no reliable water supply in most parts of Enugu State for almost 20 years.”
However, months later many parts of Enugu metropolis are yet to get water supply owing to problem of reticulation and what government alleged as sabotage.
Currently, work is still ongoing to realise this laudable project by the administration.
Another area where the government has claimed to be doing well is the area of roads infrastructure.
In third quarter of 2023, the Mbah administration said it has awarded contracts for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of 71 roads in the state.
Although he promised to deliver the projects before one year of his administration, that might not be feasible as some of them are still ongoing even as the rainy season has begun.
The administration also promised to build Smart Schools in the 269 wards across the state to improve basic education.
However, only the one in Owo, the governor’s village in Nkanu East Local Government Area has been fully completed.
The Peter Mbah-led administration has also done many things to promote sports development in the state.
Before the present administration took over in May, the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium had been under lockdown for two years following the inability of the former government to complete the renovation work on the playing turf.
Enugu Rangers was, therefore, banished to Awka in Anambra for their Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) matches.
This almost pushed the team to relegation in the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons.
However, between May and November 2023, the new administration fixed the playing turf and sporting activities returned to the stadium.
The resultant effect is that, at the moment, Rangers are now playing comfortably well at the stadium and is staying top of the 20-team NPFL 2023/24 season with 57 points after 33 matches.
The government has also hosted some sporting events under the private sector partnership.
These include the first, biggest and most intense, terrifying and brutal Martial Arts Mega Cage Fight Championship, held in Enugu the state capital on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024.
The event witnessed international fighters from Kenya, Uganda, Senegal and Congo, who came down to Enugu to fight for honours, in a Championship, sponsored by, I Tour Africa and Warrior Sports Championship in collaboration with Enugu State Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The state government through private sector partnership also organised Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, Boxing Championship which drew boxers from across the state.
The state also hosted the Chief of Naval Staff sporting competition held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.
The Enugu State swimming association in collaboration with the Nigeria Police is currently organising a swimming championship slated for June 27, 2024 in Enugu.
On May 4th, the state hosted the 1st Coal City half Marathon which was sponsored by the Zenith Bank.
Over 200 marathoners from across the 36 states of the Federation took part in the marathon.
Speaking during the marathon, the governor promised to build a games village to accommodate all sports events in the state.
According to Lloyd Ekweremadu, Commissioner for Youths and Sports in Enugu State, five athletes including para athletes from the state have been selected to participate in this year’s Olympics
He said that those were athletes who won laurels during the last para sports festival.
Under the present administration in Enugu State, several hitherto moribund sporting associations have been revived including Enugu State Swimming Association, Taekwondo Association and Boxing Association all working towards the growth of the sector.
Although the Governor has made impressive marks on some sectors, he needs to expand the scope as he begins the second year.
