In a show of appreciation for Governor Peter Mbah's pragmatic and people-oriented leadership, Senator Osita Ngwu, representing Enugu West Senatorial District, commended the governor for taking action to alleviate the adverse effects of the Federal Government's removal of fuel subsidy on the people of Enugu State.
Senator Ngwu praised the governor's swift actions, stating that the committee's initiation was excellent news for those retirees who dedicated their productive years in service to the Coal City State. The move reflects Governor Mbah's commitment to addressing the welfare of retirees and ensuring they receive their deserved benefits.
The senator expressed his confidence that both the palliatives and the pension payment committee would provide much-needed relief to the citizens of Enugu State during these challenging times. He also urged the committee members to work diligently and transparently to achieve their set objectives and ensure that the benefits reach those in need.
Governor Mbah's care and empathy were demonstrated through the rollout of palliatives to mitigate the untold hardship faced by the residents of Enugu State due to the harsh economic realities resulting from the fuel subsidy removal.
“Just when residents of Enugu State felt that their suffering was endless, our amiable Governor brought succour. This, he did by setting up a committee for the procurement, storage and distributions of the relief items to the citizens.
“He gave clear instrument to committee chaired by his loyal deputy, His Excellency Ifeanyi Ossai, to handle the palliatives with transparency and ensure the speedy distributions of those items to those in dire need of them,” the lawmaker stated.
“This is in line with His Excellency’s
campaign promises to uphold the welfare of the people; to help cushion the immediate and short-term effects of the removal of subsidy and the vision to eradicate poverty in Enugu State, particularly in ensuring that the vulnerable ones; the retirees have access to funds to maintain a reasonable and dignifying standard of life.
“It is also quite commendable that since the assumption of office, Governor Mbah has embarked on numerous people-oriented policies, programmes and projects to take the state to the next level of development.
He added, “The Governor left no one in doubt over his well-intended decision when he said: ‘What we are doing now is to see how to fix the pains people are going through. There are also plans for short and medium-term solutions, and that we are going to do in due course.'”
“While His Excellency’s concerted and genuine efforts cut across many sectors, particular mention must be made of the swift steps to solve perennial challenge of water supply in Enugu. As it is amongst humans, water is life and light (power) is the key to socio-economic progress, hence the Governor is bringing life fully to the people.
“I thank the Governor for being alive to his responsibilities within a short stay in office, we call on all Enugu residents, irrespective of all differences to support him to provide more dividends of democracy even as we pledge our unalloyed support and loyalty. Thank you your Excellency! Ride on!,” the Enugu West Senator added.
The Palliative Committee, chaired by Hon. Okechukwu Sydney Edeh, the Association of Local Governments in Nigeria (ALGON) Chairman in Enugu State and Chairman of Nkanu East Local Government Area, along with other esteemed members, will oversee the distribution of the palliatives.
In a significant move to address the concerns of retirees in the state, Governor Mbah inaugurated a Committee on Verification and Payment of Outstanding Pensions and Gratuities to State Retirees. The committee, led by Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), includes distinguished members such as Kenneth Ugwu, the Head of Service, Mr. Anthony Okenwa, the State's Accountant-General, and Prof. Obiamaka Egbo, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Finance Management.
