Astute leaders usually cash in on the best opportune moments to press home their demands. That was exactly what our most amiable Governor Ugwuanyi did when the top Management team of Revenue Mobilization Allocations and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Enugu, last Monday 11th October 2021. Governor Ugwuanyi had utilized that golden opportunity availed to him by that august visit to request for Enugu to be designated as an oil-bearing State in the country and further
urged the Commission to expedite action on the formalities involved in the process. He had proposed a 50:50 revenue sharing formula among the three States jointly involved namely: Anambra, Kogi and Enugu States.
The delegate from the RMAFC, which was led by the Chairman, Indices and Disbursement Committee, Mr Chris A. Akomas, was in Enugu for an interactive session with the members of the Enugu State Executive Council (EXCO), 17 Local Government Council Chairmen and other Stakeholders, in line with the Commission’s ongoing nationwide sensitization tour of the 36 States in the country and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on the review of the existing Revenue Allocation Sharing Formula, in the spirit of equity, justice and fairness.
Notwithstanding that Enugu State had not been benefiting from the Federal Government oil derivation allocation funds, she still competes and compares favourably with the States that have been enjoying same. Governor Ugwuanyi, with the lean resources of the State at his disposal, has constructed new roads, schools, health institutions, social amenities and massive housing estates in addition to carrying out renovation, expansion, rehabilitation and remodeling of the existing projects in the State. He has also maintained regular payments of the heavy wage bills of the State without harbouring arrears.
Recall that the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) had extolled Ugwuanyi for his astute economic management wizardry, stating that Enugu State enjoys financial freedom without dependence on the Federal Government Allocation. The reason being that Ugwuanyi has maintained optimum prudence in the management of the State lean resources. This is because Enugu State State under Ugwuanyi’s administration runs open government as a strong participant in the World Bank Assisted State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) in total fulfilment of its obligations to the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007.
Ugwuanyi’s call for recognition of Enugu as an oil bearing State became necessary due to the recent report that due recognition was given to Kogi and Anambra as oil-bearing States, with the exclusion of Enugu State, whereas the Orient Petroleum Oil Company operates between Kogi, Anambra and Enugu States. Moreover the Anambra River Basin where the oil has been discovered in such commercial quantity equally cuts across Igga, Ojo and Uzouwani Areas of Enugu State, with the OPL 915 and 916 Oil wells said to be located in Enugu State.
We, therefore, highly congratulate His Excellency Rt Hon Dr Lawrence Ifeanyichukwu Ugwuanyi and the good people of Enugu State on this good news. From all indications, sooner than expected, there is certainly going to be a bright light at the end of the tunnel. Thus with the expected inclusion of the Enugu among the oil-bearing States in the country, a golden opportunity would have finally come to Governor Ugwuanyi to fully fulfill his lofty dream of making Enugu the pride of the Igbo man; the legendary Headquarters of the erstwhile East Central States and a State capable of playing her leadership role as the historic Capital of the South East Geopolitical Zone.
Bibian Anekwe News added – “Real leadership is leaders recognizing that they serve the people that they lead.” .
Written by
OBODO COLLINS OKOLO
Deputy Corps Commander retired
A Sociopolitical Analyst
Media Team Member ENUGU DI N’AKACHUKWU MOVEMENT
