Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki has today announced his defection from the All Progressives Congress, APC. The announcement came this evening on his Twitter Handle where the Senate President released a statement. You would recall that earlier today, the APC sacked all executives of its Kwara State chapter in an attempt to wrestle the state structure away from Saraki.

Releasing a statement to his defection Saraki stated that the APC is neither currently structured nor has the resolve and ability to deliver on its mandate of change. The Senate President added that Nigeria can not afford another 4 years of the APC’s ineptitude and also lamented that party had become fractured and divided.

Bukola Saraki also lamented the apparent lack of transparency and accountability that had befallen the party. In a statement released on his official handles he says “...External
influences have become overbearing on the party organs. Some members are treated like outsiders. A Party that does not have internal democracy cannot deliver a government that will adhere to democratic principles.
The APC has failed to learn from history and has squandered the goodwill of the Nigerian people, on whose backs they came into Government...”

Announcing his defection, Saraki says it was not an easy decision but a decision taken with all sense of duty and patriotism.

Saraki announced his decision to rejoin the People’s Democratic Party citing that the new leadership of the Party had demonstrated that they had learned from the mistakes they made in the past which made him to leave 4 years ago.

Meanwhile, Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and APC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi have also announced their defection from the APC to PDP following Saraki’s well received announcement.

http://thepunditng.com/nigeria-deserves-better-bukola-saraki-as-he-decamps-to-apc/

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has sought the assistance of members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and similar professional organizations in his administration’s efforts towards entrenching fiscal discipline and transparency in the management of public funds.

Gov. Ugwuanyi said that such administrative principles of accountability and transparency have helped his administration to reduce wastages and leakages in the finance of the state, adding that the collaboration will not only “encourage greater public participation in both the making and implementation of government policies” but will also strengthen the people’s trust in government.

The governor, who spoke at the 2018 Eastern Zonal Accountants Conference of the ICAN, held in Enugu on Tuesday, described the Institute as a professional body that has contributed immensely to the development of the nation’s financial sector as well as the effective implementation of fiscal policies.

Gov. Ugwuanyi, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, emphasized the importance of the conference towards the “adoption of measures that would ensure rapid economic growth and expansion for the nation, especially in this period of mounting fiscal challenges”

“As an organization embodying professional Accountants in both the public and private sectors in Nigeria, ICAN’s contributions to the development of the nation’s financial sector and the effective implementation of fiscal policies, cannot be overemphasized”, the governor maintained.

He, therefore, thanked ICAN members for choosing Enugu as the venue for the conference and assured them of the readiness of his administration to partner the Institute towards the actualization of its objectives “more especially as they affect the peace and progress of Enugu State and indeed, the entire eastern region”.

Earlier in his address, the 54th President of ICAN, Alhaji Razak Jaiyeola, appreciated the governor’s commitment towards the realization of the Institute’s goals, saying that the organization is a body of professionals that assists in the management of the nation’s economy.

Alhaji Jaiyeola emphasized that the meeting will afford the members the ample opportunity to deliberate on the nation’s quest for economic diversification, disclosing that the “Institute has over four thousand members that cut across all sectors of the economy and making their marks in that area of discipline”.

He, therefore, charged the members to remain focused and committed to “regular training” to enable them sustain their relevance in the dynamic society. #amokelouis


http://thepunditng.com/ugwuanyi-seeks-ties-with-ican-on-management-of-public-funds/

PRESS STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, HIS EXCELLENCY, DR. ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI, CON,  ON 31ST JULY, 2018. 


I wish to inform Nigerians that, after extensive consultations, I have decided to take my leave of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

This is not a decision that I have made lightly. If anything at all, I have tarried for so long and did all that was humanly possible, even in the face of great provocation, ridicule and flagrant persecution, to give opportunity for peace, reconciliation and harmonious existence. 

Perhaps, more significantly, I am mindful of the fact that I carry on my shoulder a great responsibility for thousands of my supporters, political associates and friends, who have trusted in my leadership and have attached their political fortunes to mine. However, it is after an extensive consultation with all the important stakeholders that we have come to this difficult but inevitable decision to pitch our political tent elsewhere; where we could enjoy greater sense of belonging and where the interests of the greatest number of our Nigerians would be best served. 

While I take full responsibility for this decision, I will like to emphasise that it is a decision that has been inescapably imposed on me by certain elements and forces within the APC who have ensured that the minimum conditions for peace, cooperation, inclusion and a general sense of belonging did not exist. 

They have done everything to ensure that the basic rules of party administration, which should promote harmonious relations among the various elements within the party were blatantly disregarded. All governance principles which were required for a healthy functioning of the party and the government were deliberately violated or undermined. And all entreaties for justice, equity and fairness as basic precondition for peace and unity, not only within the party, but also the country at large, were simply ignored, or employed as additional pretext for further exclusion. 

The experience of my people and associates in the past three years is that they have suffered alienation and have been treated as outsiders in their own party. Thus, many have become disaffected and disenchanted. At the same time, opportunities to seek redress and correct these anomalies were deliberately blocked as a government-within-a-government had formed an impregnable wall and left in the cold, everyone else who was not recognized as “one of us”. This is why my people, like all self-respecting people would do, decided to seek accommodation elsewhere. 

I have had the privilege to lead the Nigerian legislature in the past three years as the President of the Senate and the Chairman of the National Assembly. The framers of our constitution envisage a degree of benign tension among the three arms of government if the principle of checks and balances must continue to serve as the building block of our democracy. In my role as the head of the legislature, and a leader of the party, I have ensured that this necessary tension did not escalate at any time in such a way that it could encumber Executive function or correspondingly, undermine the independence of the legislature. Over the years, I have made great efforts in the overall interest of the country, and in spite of my personal predicament, to manage situations that would otherwise have resulted in unsavoury consequences for the government and the administration. My colleagues in the Senate will bear testimony to this. 

However, what we have seen is a situation whereby every dissent from the legislature was framed as an affront on the executive or as part of an agenda to undermine the government itself. The populist notion of anti-corruption became a ready weapon for silencing any form of dissent and for framing even principled objection as “corruption fighting back”. Persistent onslaught against the legislature and open incitement of the people against their own representatives became a default argument in defence of any short-coming of the government in a manner that betrays all too easily, a certain contempt for the Constitution itself or even the democracy that it is meant to serve. 

Unfortunately, the self-serving gulf that has been created between the leadership of the two critical arms of government based on distrust and mutual suspicion has made any form of constructive engagement impossible. Therefore, anything short of a slavish surrender in a way that reduces the legislature to a mere rubber stamp would not have been sufficient in procuring the kind of rapprochement that was desired in the interest of all. But I have no doubt in my mind, that to surrender this way is to be complicit in the subversion of the institution that remains the very bastion of our democracy. I am a democrat. And I believe that anyone who lays even the most basic claim to being a democrat will not accept peace on those terms; which seeks to compromise the very basis of our existence as the parliament of the people. 

The recent weeks have witnessed a rather unusual attempts to engage with some of these most critical issues at stake. Unfortunately, the discord has been allowed to fester unaddressed for too long, with dire consequences for the ultimate objective of delivering the common good and achieving peace and unity in our country. Any hope of reconciliation at this point was therefore very slim indeed. Most of the horses had bolted from the stable. 

The emergence of a new national party executives a few weeks ago held out some hopes, however slender. The new party chairman has swung into action and did his best alongside some of the Governors of APC and His Excellency, the Vice President. I thank them for all their great efforts to save the day and achieve reconciliation. Even though I thought these efforts were coming late in the day, but seeing the genuine commitment of these gentlemen, I began to think that perhaps it was still possible to reconsider the situation. 

However, as I have realized all along, there are some others in the party leadership hierarchy, who did not think dialogue was the way forward and therefore chose to play the fifth columnists. These individuals went to work and ensured that they scuttled the great efforts and the good intentions of these aforementioned leaders of the party. Perhaps, had these divisive forces not thrown the cogs in the wheel at the last minutes, and in a manner that made it impossible to sustain any trust in the process, the story today would have been different. 

For me, I leave all that behind me. Today, I start as I return to the party where I began my political journey, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

When we left the PDP to join the then nascent coalition of All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014, we left in a quest for justice, equity and inclusion; the fundamental principles on which the PDP was originally built but which it had deviated from. We were attracted to the APC by its promise of change. We fought hard along with others and defeated the PDP. 

In retrospect, it is now evident that the PDP has learnt more from its defeat than the APC has learnt from its victory. The PDP that we return to is now a party that has learnt its lessons the hard way and have realized that no member of the party should be taken for granted; a party that has realized that inclusion, justice and equity are basic precondition for peace; a party that has realized that never again can the people of Nigeria be taken for granted. 

I am excited by the new efforts, which seeks to build the reborn PDP on the core principles of promoting democratic values; internal democracy; accountability; inclusion and national competitiveness; genuine commitment to restructuring and devolution of powers; and an abiding belief in zoning of political and elective offices as an inevitable strategy for managing our rich diversity as a people of one great indivisible nation called Nigeria. 

What we have all agreed is that a deep commitment to these ideals were not only a demonstration of our patriotism but also a matter of enlightened self-interest, believing that our very survival as political elites of this country will depend on our ability to earn the trust of our people and in making them believe that, more than anything else, we are committed to serving the people. 

What the experience of the last three years have taught us is that the most important task that we face as a country is how to reunite our people. Never before had so many people in so many parts of our country felt so alienated from their Nigerianness. Therefore, we understand that the greatest task before us is to reunite the county and give everyone a sense of belonging regardless of region or religion.

Every Nigerian must have an instinctive confidence that he or she will be treated with justice and equity in any part of the country regardless of the language they speak or how they worship God. This is the great task that trumps all. Unless we are able to achieve this, all other claim to progress no matter how defined, would remain unsustainable.
 
This is the task that I am committing myself to and I believe that it is in this PDP, that I will have the opportunity to play my part.  It is my hope that the APC will respect the choice that I have made as my democratic right, and understand that even though we will now occupy a different political space, we do not necessarily become enemies unto one another. 



Thank you.


Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON
President of the Senate

http://thepunditng.com/saraki-releases-press-statement-on-why-he-decamped-to-pdp/

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At today's civic reception in honour of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State by the people of Nkpologu in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, hometown of the Senator representing Enugu North Senatorial District, Senator Chukwuka Utazi, the governor was unanimously endorsed for a second term in office for his unprecedented achievements in the state.

The jubilant people of the community said Gov. Ugwuanyi deserves a second term in office, stressing that despite the fact that Enugu State is "being classified among the weak states in terms of revenue base" , the governor through his sheer dexterity and administrative ingenuity has placed the state "high among the high earners in internally-generated revenue, as the FIRS recently acknowledged".

In an address delivered on behalf of the people of Nkpologu by Sir. Ofordile Okafor, SAN, the community added that in spite of the state "being in the lower rungs of beneficiaries from the Federation account, Governor Ugwuanyi has ensured that salaries are paid before the 25th day of every month, a no mean achievement, in an economy struggling to stay afloat".

According to the community, "While other states are retrenching and reducing their workforce, Governor Ugwuanyi is employing, especially teachers and specialized services, to improve the quality of the personnel in the service delivery sectors of the state".

The people also appreciated the governor for his educational policies, which they said ensured "the return of the multi-campus structure of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology to Nsukka and Nkpologu", pointing out that he has also carried out massive infrastructural developments across the nooks and crannies of the state.

Special prayers were offered to the governor at St. Teresa's Parish, Nkpologu by a handful of priests on his arrival to the community for the colourful event.

Truly, Enugu State is in the hands of God! #amokelouis

http://thepunditng.com/senator-utazis-community-honours-gov-ugwuanyi-for-good-governance/

Security Agencies Lay Siege on Nigeria’s Democracy as Saraki, Ekweremadu defy Buhari

In a desperate attempt to ridicule Nigeria’s democracy, officers of The Nigeria Police and EFCC following orders from above disbursed emergency invitation letters to leaders of the Nigerian Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki and Senator Ike Ekweremadu to appear at their offices by 8am and 10am respectively violating the customary 24 hours prior notice standards.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris wrote the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, to appear at the office of Nigeria Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in Abuja, over the death of 23 people killed in the robbery incident that took place in Offa, Kwara state, in April this year.


The letter was dated Monday the 23rd of July and sent by 8pm at night instructing Dr Saraki to present himself at the IRT offices by 8am the next morning. This was not just an abuse of office by the IGP but a direct violation and disrespect of the office of the Senate President, the 3rd highest office in the land.

Reacting to the disgraceful events, Dr Saraki stated that the invitation to him by the Police over the Offa robbery investigation is a mere afterthought, which is designed to achieve a sinister political purpose. He made an official statement saying that he had it on good authority that the Police had already decided on the suspects to arraign in court in Ilorin, Kwara State on Wednesday based on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mohammed U.E. and that the turn around to invite him was a ploy aimed at scoring cheap political points.

Saraki decried the timing of the invitation as it was right before an alleged plan by some Senators and House of Representatives members from leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC). The President of the Senate’s fears were confirmed when Police men allegedly acting on the orders of the IG laid seige on his house at about 6am in the morning despite inviting him to appear by 8am.

In an unexpected but unsurprising turn of events, the home of the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ikweremadu was also barricaded by officials of the Department of State Police(DSS) and the EFCC.

The EFCC has sent a letter of invitation to him earlier in the morning asking him to appear in their office by 10am. It would be extremely naive to consider the The timing of the two invitation letters as a mere coincidence. It was obvious to Nigerians who were following that the entire drama was a very weak but desperate plot to stop the planned defections by stopping the sitting of federal representatives of the Nigerian people.

It is not the first time that the exective tried to undermine another arm of Government by using instruments of the state and otherwise independent institutions. You would recall that The DSS attacked several Supreme Court and High court Judges in 2016 in an obvious affront against the Nigerian Judicary.

The disregard for the rule of law  and misuse of state institutions under the Buhari administration is a growing concern for Nigerians as we approach the elections next year.

The anti-corrption fight is turning out to be an attack against political opponents, with the new executive order that seems to target the President’s adversaries, it is quite obvious that Nigeria may slide into a gestapo state before the next elections due to the current administration’s desperation to hold on to power

Nigerians have seen first hand the desperation of President Buhari to hold on to power as the road to 2019 becomes broader, however there is a serious sense of unease around Nigerians as they know that today was just the beginning of acts of desperation that will be thrown into play on the road to 2019.

http://thepunditng.com/security-agencies-lay-siege-on-nigerias-democracy-as-saraki-ekweremadu-defy-buhari/

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BREAKING: Nigerian Police Under The Instruction Of President Buhari Has Blocked Senate President Bukola Saraki From Leaving His House This Morning, Possible House Arrest Of SENATOR Saraki Is Underway

Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9_HKY-AzLI

Chairman of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Enugu State Council, Comrade Igbokwe Chukwuma Igbokwe confirms Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi's payment of July salaries of state's Civil/Public Servants today (July 23rd, 2018) without receipt of Federal Allocations for June and July, 2018.

...Commends Gov. Ugwuanyi "for setting a record", saying:
"This action of His Excellency, which is happening for the first time since the creation of Enugu State is an undeniable proof that he is not just workers-friendly but truly committed to workers' welfare".

Enugu State is truly in the hands of God. #amokelouis

http://thepunditng.com/tuc-chairman-confirms-payment-of-july-salaries-without-faac-allocations/

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Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (middle) receiving the "Distinguished Service Award of Excellence in Governance" from the newly installed 2nd District Governor of Rotary International District 9142, Nigeria, Rtn. Dr. Dan Ajawara (left), during the award dinner in his honour by the club in Enugu, yesterday

Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (right) with the newly installed 2nd District Governor of the Rotary International District 9142, Nigeria, Rtn. Dr. Dan Ajawara (middle) and his predecessor, Rtn. Emman Ude Akpeh, during the installation ceremony at The Base Event Centre, Enugu, yesterday.

The Rotary International District 9142, Nigeria, yesterday honoured Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State with a "Distinguished Service Award of Excellence in Governance" for his outstanding performance in office.

The prestigious award was presented the governor at a colourful dinner in his honour, after the installation ceremony of the 2nd District Governor of the Club, Rotarian Dr. Dan Ajawara, held at The Base Event Centre, Enugu.

Presenting the award, the newly installed District Governor, Dr. Ajawara, described Gov. Ugwuanyi as "a humble, humane, unassuming and visionary leader, who leads by example", adding that it was based on his sterling performance and leadership qualities that "we are honouring him today".

Dr. Ajawara noted that it was rare for Rotarians to come together to honour a sitting governor, disclosing that they are apolitical.

He stressed that Gov. Ugwuanyi as a Rotarian and governor has kept faith with the ideals of the Rotary Club through his people-centered programmes that "touch people's lives in so many ways", saying: "The people have unanimously agreed he (Ugwuanyi) will continue leading them".

According to him, "Rotary is not into politics. We take note of the people's feelings and that is why we are honouring him (Ugwuanyi) today with this Distinguished Service Award of Excellence in Governance. The Coal City experience is really imparting positively on the people. We hope that this honour will spur you to do more".

Responding, Gov. Ugwuanyi, who appreciated the District for finding him worthy of conferment with its highest award, described the gesture as a great honour.

He paid special respect to the Chairman of the occasion and former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, who was represented by Chief Emeka Eze and other dignitaries at the event and "heartily congratulated" Dr. Ajawara on his installation as the 2nd District Governor.

Gov. Ugwuanyi pointed out that as a Rotarian and former President of the club in Emene, he was "very much conversant with the aims, objectives and the ideals of the Rotary Club as well as the excitement and joy that accompany the installation of a new District Governor". He, therefore, expressed optimism that Dr. Ajawara will succeed as he "has all it takes to lift the District to greater heights in the service of humanity".

The governor used the occasion to reaffirm his commitment to continue to promote the ideals of the 4-Way Test of the noble Club and bring them to bear on his personal life and discharge of his duties "as the Chief Servant of the people of Enugu State".

"We remain grateful to the Rotary Club for its many years of partnership and assistance to the Enugu State government in helping to spread the message of hope, comradeship and solidarity among all classes of people especially through the provision of communal facilities and attending to the needs of the poor.

"While also thankful for the decision to host this historic occasion in Enugu, we wish to pledge our continued support and cooperation towards the attainment of our common objectives and the noble ideals of the Club", the added.

http://thepunditng.com/rotary-intl-honours-gov-ugwuanyi-for-good-governance/

…to hold Marathon Race in November

The administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has approved the release of the sum of N400, 238,237 .00 as its counterpart fund payment to the state’s Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP II) to enable the project continue effectively in the state.

The project is under the joint sponsorship of the World Bank and French Development Agency in collaboration with the Federal and Enugu State Governments, established to improve the ease of transportation and bring sustained access to the rural population through rehabilitation and maintenance of key rural roads in selected states in the country.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting of the State Executive Council (EXCO), the State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Greg Nnaji, stated that Enugu State has taken its pride of place as one of the states where RAMP programme is being implemented effectively.

Engr. Nnaji disclosed that nine rural roads totaling 115.36km are being executed in the first phase of the Enugu RAMP II, adding that “the project is equally preparing the procurement activities associated with selection, design, supervision and construction of the second phase of roads totaling about 400km”.

He noted that the above was in addition to the commencement of the procurement activities for the selection and maintenance of 49.8km of rural roads under the Community Based Road Maintenance and Annual Mechanized Maintenance.

The nine RAMP roads include Abor road; Egede-Awhum road; St. Mary Ngwo-Nsude road; Ugwuoba-Nkwere Inyi-Inyi road; UNTH-Enugu Agu-Ndiagu-Umuaniagu-Obe-Amurri road.

Others are Neke-Mbu-Ogbodo Aba-Obollo Etiti road; Ukpabi-Nimbo-Ugbene Ajima-Eziani road; Ikwoka-Amagu-Ajuona-Akabusiyi Obimo road and Adani-Asaba-Igga-Ojjor road.

Speaking further, the Works Commissioner explained that Enugu RAMP II has an approved budget of N7.6 billion from the World Bank for its 2018 activities. He stated that the Enugu State government’s estimated counterpart fund to the project based on the World Bank budget was N417,730,000.00. He also explained that the amount came down to N400,238,237.00 “because the state government had within 2017 released to the project part payment of the arrears of its 2010 -2017 incentives as well as the money for payment of compensations for the first phase of roads”.

Equally approved by the Council was the hosting of Coal City Marathon scheduled to take place in Enugu in November this year. The State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr. Joseph Udedi told journalists that the race is an international event that will attract participants from the thirty-six states of the federation including some African countries.

He listed the inherent benefits of the sporting event, which will kick-off from Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, through major streets of Enugu metropolis back to the stadium, to include making Enugu State the centre of “Sports tourism in Nigeria and Africa; creating a good relationship and social economic development; showcasing the
state’s good image; enhancing the health and fitness of the participants and general growth of the athletes, among others”.

He said that 3000 participants are expected in the race, adding the registration is free and will commence soon online.

Stressing the readiness of the state government in making the event a huge success, Mr. Udedi called on residents of the state and beyond to take advantage of the forthcoming event to promote the image of the state and its potentials for all around economic growth.

In his submission, Commissioner for Information, Mr. Ogbuagu Anikwe recalled with delight the encomiums poured on Gov. Ugwuanyi and the Chairman of Internal Revenue Service, Prince Emeka Odo, by the Joint Tax Board (JTB) on the state’s impressive IGR performance, during its recent meeting in Enugu.

Mr. Anikwe further disclosed that Enugu State recorded N12.96 billion IGR in its half-year assessment report, which was N120 million higher than what was generated in the corresponding period last year. He added that the state is 2nd in terms of states that boosted their IGR profile last year, representing 32.5% above what it collected last year, among other remarkable feats. #amokelouis

http://thepunditng.com/19501-2/

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Captivating pictures of the colourful inauguration of Ebonyi River Bridge, Ikem, Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State and the Obollo Eke - Agala - Okpaligbo road in Udenu L.G.A by the People's Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, in keeping with his administration's grassroots development initiatives aimed at opening up the rural areas for all round economic growth.

Enugu State is truly in the hands of God! #amokelouis

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There was wild jubilation in Enugu as Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi formally inaugurated the historic and undulating Miliken Hill road, Ngwo, reconstructed and modernized with street lights by his administration for the first time since it was constructed in 1909 during the colonial era.

The all-important 3-kilometer Miliken Hill section of the road, is part of the 12-kilometer 9th Mile - Ekochin-Ngwo-Miliken Hill - New Market federal road, recently rehabilited by the state government, as an alternative route for travellers plying the Enugu - Onitsha expressway.

Inaugurating the road amid excitement from residents of the state and road users, Gov. Ugwuanyi stated that the project is a "great infrastructural asset and rich heritage of our coal city state".

Gov. Ugwuanyi also inaugurated other legacy projects in the rural areas such as the Ebonyi River Bridge in Ikem, Isi-Uzo Local Government Area and Obollo Eke - Agala - Okpaligbo road in Udenu LGA in keeping with his administration's grassroots development initiatives.

Describing the Miliken Hill road as "our natural roller coaster", Gov. Ugwuanyi disclosed that "no road in our environment affords tourists and motorists the beautiful view of Enugu that this road offers".

According to him, "I stand here today with joy in my heart, buoyed by the happy faces of Ndi Enugu, to inaugurate this reconstructed historic and legacy Miliken Hill road; a renowned tourist attraction whose history is consistent with coal discovery in our state in the early 20th century.

"The great excitement that greeted the reconstruction of this legacy road is therefore consequential and our gratitude, most profound, goes to God Almighty for affording us the means and commitment to deliver this project".

Gov. Ugwuanyi, therefore, urged motorists to drive safely and with care.

While inaugurating the other projects, Gov. Ugwuanyi noted that they were "in keeping with our policy to open up the rural areas and encourage the all round economic growth of the state".

"We were also motivated by our resolve to alleviate the sufferings of our people and give them a new lease of life wherever they may be in the state", the governor added.

Earlier in his remark, a leader of Ngwo community and former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Chief Dubem Onyia expressed gratitude to Gov. Ugwuanyi for keeping faith with his promise to reconstruct and modernize the road with street lighting and other safety measures.

Chief Onyia stated that the road was symbolic and very significant to the people of Ngwo, Enugu State and the entire Igbos", saying that the governor has wiped out their tears for good.

He maintained that no government had reconstructed the road after it was built, appreciating the governor for his prompt intervention on the road. He equally reassured the governor of the People's unflinching support for his re-election in 2019.

The Chairman of Enugu North Local Government Area, Hon. Emma Onoh appreciated the governor for the courage and vision in reconstructing the road.

Other speakers at the events equally appreciated Gov. Ugwuanyi for his commitment to the wellbeing of the people of Enugu State through his administration’s massive infrastructural development and other people-oriented programmes.

http://thepunditng.com/jubilation-as-gov-ugwuanyi-inaugurates-reconstructed-historic-enugu-miliken-hill-road/

Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (middle) with the Chairman, Joint Tax Board, Mr. Tunde Fowler (3rd right); Executive Secretary of the Board, Sir. Oseni Elamah (2nd right); Enugu State Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Eucharia Offor (3rd left); Chairman, State's Internal Revenue Service, Prince Emeka Odo (4th left), others, during the 141st meeting of the JTB, yesterday.

…commends him on effective IGR utilization for development

…calls on other Governors to emulate him

The Chairman of the Joint Tax Board (JTB), Mr. Tunde Fowler has commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for putting in place a proficient and “unparalleled” tax regime, which has ensured that the state exceeded the 15 percent tax revenue to GDP benchmark suggested by the United Nations for the funding of budgets.

The JTB Chairman, who is also the Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) also applauded Gov. Ugwuanyi for the unprecedented growth in the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of Enugu State as well as the judicious utilization of the said funds for the rapid development of the state.

Fowler, who spoke during the 141st meeting of the board holding in Enugu, which had in attendance chairmen of the Board of Internal Revenue from the 36 states of the federation, also lauded the governor for his quality leadership, giant development strides in the state and “excellent” hospitality.

He, therefore, called on other governors to emulate Gov. Ugwuanyi’s measures in enhancing the efficiency and productivity of his state’s Board of Internal Service for improved revenue profile in their various states.

The chairman stated that the objective of the meeting, themed: “Leveraging on ICT for Efficient Tax Administration and Revenue Enhancements, Focusing on States IRS”, was to discuss tax matters and how to provide better services as well as “look at contracts executed with tax payers’ money”.

While further appreciating Gov. Ugwuanyi for his effective utilization of tax payers’ money for the rapid development of the state, Fowler advised the visiting Chairmen of BIR to share the experience with their governors, accordingly.

He said: “As you come to Enugu, you can see how tax monies were used. Following the testimony given by the Chairman of Board of Internal Revenue of Enugu State, Mr. Emeka Odo, as a good friend, all the Chairmen are supposed to have the copies of advance sheets to their Governors for them to see what was going on in Enugu State and how things are supposed to be done”.

He maintained that tax revenue is “no doubt the only means to ensure sustainable economic and social development”, emphasizing their role “as tax administrators to carry out our duties diligently to ensure that all the current tax revenue is collected as at when due”.

According to him, “looking at the figures of Enugu State, I would like to congratulate you (Ugwuanyi) that the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service is living up to its responsibilities in the area of increasing the state’s revenue base. It has exceeded this figure (UN 15% benchmark) already.

“The measures you have taken to enhance the efficiency of your Board in Enugu State are unparalleled. At this point, I call on other governors to do what is being done in Enugu State and if within six months we cannot see any difference, we will say something is wrong.

“But, I am sure these measures taken by the Enugu State Revenue Service if taken by other state governors, our revenue profile will improve tremendously”.

Declaring open the event, Gov. Ugwuanyi, who welcomed the participants to the state, disclosed that his administration, in realizing the need to reduce its dependence on the then dwindling statutory receipts from the Federation Account, “immediately embarked on the reform of public finances in the state to align with our developmental priorities and realities”.

The governor added that the state government also repositioned the state’s Internal Revenue Service through the appointment of a board of seasoned professionals; establishment of new Revenue Courts; enactment of the Land Use Assessment Appeal Tribunal Law; reorganization of the board to meet the required standards to deliver the desired results, etc.

“We are glad to report that these measures have made a tremendous impact on our revenue streams, enabling our IGR to peak at N22 billion last year in contrast to the N14 billion we collected in the whole of the 2016 fiscal year”, he added.

Gov. Ugwuanyi noted his administration’s prudent management of the state’s financial resources was responsible for the numerous “unprecedented development programmes” it has implemented so far to make life more meaningful for the people. He stressed that with the lean receipts from the Federation accounts, the state government has continued to pay workers’ salaries on or before 25th of every month; paid all civil servants the 13th month salary as Christmas Bonus and the June salaries despite the non-receipt of the FAAC allocation for the month.

The governor also used the occasion to appeal to JTB Chairman to intervene on the over N18 billion debt in back duty taxes collectively owed the Enugu State government by federal institutions and agencies, namely; the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH); the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN); the Federal Orthopedic Hospital Enugu; the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Enugu; the Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu; the Project Development Institute (PRODA), Enugu; the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the National Examination Council (NECO).

Other speakers such as the Executive Secretary of JTB, Sir Oseni Elamah mni and Chairman of Enugu State Internal Revenue Service, Prince Emeka Odo also hailed Gov. Ugwuanyi’s good governance and commitment to the success story of the revenue board. #amokelouis

http://thepunditng.com/ugwuanyi-has-exceeded-un-tax-revenue-to-gdp-benchmark-says-joint-tax-board/

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The Good News:

The five new ultra modern fire service stations in Enugu State recently embarked upon by the administration of Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi at Four- Corner, Ozalla, Nkanu West LGA; Ogrute, Igboeze North LGA; 9th Mile Corner, Udi LGA; Orba, Udenu LGA and Oji, Oji River LGA, have been COMPLETED to standard.

It is on record that the time the three old fire service stations at Ogui, Enugu North LGA; Nsukka, Nsukka LGA and Idaw River, Enugu South L.G.A were built was in 1962 (56 years ago) when Enugu State was under the defunct Eastern Region.

Truly, Enugu State is in the hands of God! ‎#amokelouis

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Still on Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi's rural development initiatives in Enugu State - the face of the newly constructed Obollo Eke - Agala - Okpaligbo road ready for inauguration.

Enugu State is in the hands of God! #amokelouis

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