The Honourable member representing Nsukka East State Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, Engr. Dr Pius Onyekachi Ezugwu has stated that his defection from the Labour Party (LP) to the ruling Peoples Democratic Government in the state, is in the interest of his constituents.

Dr Ezugwu told newsmen in Enugu over the weekend that he decamped from the LP to PDP in order to bring his people into the developmental agenda of the state.

“When the government is working, there is no need for opposition. To ensure my constituency is part of the development in Enugu State, I decided to join forces with the government.

“This decision was made in the best interest of my constituency, to ensure we are included in the ongoing projects,” he told journalists.

In March 2024, six members of the Labour Party in the Enugu State House of Assembly decamped to PDP.

It could be recalled that the Labour Party, LP, which galvanised members and supporters in the building up to the 2023 general elections have become a shadow of itself in view of seemingly intractable leadership impairments that have engulfed the party both at state, regional and federal levels.

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Although the demolition of Ogige Market in Nuskka Local Government Area came with hardships, sufferings and misgivings, the member representing Nsukka East Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon Engr Dr Pius Onyekachi Ezugwu has stated that the pains are temporary as the benefits will outweigh the current suffering.

Hon Dr Ezugwu who sympathised with the affected traders and shop-owners said the demolition was done in good faith and called on the affected traders and the good people of Nsukka to give the Enugu Government under Barr. Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah the opportunity to carry out his immense development plans for the area.

“Initially, there was a lot of emotions and misunderstanding. When I was outside the country, I often see buildings being demolished, which initially seemed unnecessary. However, after seeing the development that followed, I understood the process. The demolition of Ogige Market in Nuskka is causing temporary pain, but it’s necessary for long-term benefits. The new shopping spaces will be more efficient, and we’re intervening to ensure that shop-owners can afford the new spaces made available. The pain is temporary, but the benefits will be long-lasting, Hon Dr Ezugwu told journalists in Enugu.

He explained why the demolition was unavoidable despite the obvious sufferings and pains the people would experience

“The government is seeking to acquire one or two hectares for development. The issue is that the market is very close to the main road, so demolishing parts of it affects shops. However, the intention behind these actions are for the overall development and benefit of Ndi Nsukka in particular and Ndi Enugu in general.”

When asked to know if the affected traders and shop-owners were compensated, Hon Ezugwu said although he was not in the know, but added that it is the norm to compensate people whose structures are demolished for development adding that the development of the new ultra-modern bus terminal will be completed within 12 months once the project takes off.

“I’m not in the capacity to answer that, but from what I know, they were given enough notice last year in October. Compensation was provided to those at Ogui, so I believe the shop owners at Nsukka will also receive compensation.

“It is expected to last for 12 months. There is day and night construction to ensure high-quality work is completed promptly,” he added.

BRT Purchased, Compensation Paid – Commissioner for Transportation Obi Ozor

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Transportation, Enugu State, Hon. Dr. Obi Ozor, in has confirmed that the affected traders were paid compensation even as he disclosed that 5, 000 Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) have been purchased by the state government awaiting delivering. 

He explained that there was need to rejig the state’s transport system to match with what is obtainable in the developed countries of the world, stressing that it made no sense for the administration to build all the roads in Enugu and end up with unkept and highly disorganised and outdated motor parks that make life difficult for commuters.

“The Dr. Peter Mbah Administration has resolved to ensure a total overhaul of our transportation system: air, railway, road, and even the waterways.

“The contractors that will handle the railway project from Enugu, Nsukka to Uzo-Uwani are already in Enugu, and of course you know the governor is already on his toes to ensure that the international terminal at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu is completed and functional.

“Bus Rapid Transport, BRT, buses with 80-passenger capacity have already been bought and will arrive in Enugu in no distant time. All this is because the state has discovered that half of our salaries go to transportation. We want to reduce the pains of Ndi Enugu and uplift their standard of living.

“We need to start developing Igbo land and change our transportation system so that our people can travel, import, and export their goods with ease.

“We also want to make a passionate appeal that those affected should bring their documents for enumeration, as it will help us to pay compensation and allocate spaces once the project is completed in 12-month time. We will give them the right of first refusal,” Ozor said.

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By Amaechi Agbo

A United States of America, USA University, TBU Extension University, has conferred an Honorary Doctorate Degree on the member representing Nsukkat East Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon Engr. Pius Onyekachi Ezugwu.

Hon Ezugwu received the degree certificate of Doctor of Philosophy, PhD (Honoris Causa) in Public Administration in Enugu on Saturday, July 13, 2024 through African Society for Public Administrators, Leaders and Managers (ASPALM) in Affiliation with TBU Extension University.

ASPALM is a regional executive education platform founded on the ideal philosophy to innovate and improve the practice and development of management, leadership and governance in Africa, with Nigeria as the lead country.

It serves as a network centre, connecting and collating leadership experiences of other regional economies and underpinning the lessons for Africa’s growth and advancement especially in the area of Public Administration and Management

Speaking During the conferment ceremony in Enugu, Hon Engr Dr Pius Ezugwu expressed gratitude to ASPALM for finding him worthy of the honour and lauded the Enugu State government for providing the enabling environment for enduring relationship between the Executive and the Legislature in redefining Enugu State.

He noted that the award of Honorary Doctorate Degree will spur him to do more in areas of human empowerment, development as well as initiating bills that will ensure the progress of the good people of Enugu State.

“I am delighted to have been considered for the conferment of Honorary Doctorate Degree (Ph’D) in Public Administration by ASPALM in affiliation with TBU Extension University, USA. This is a testament that the little efforts we are making towards improving the well-being of our people are being recognized. I want to thank ASPALM for this great honour.

“I want to also appreciate the Enugu state government under the able leadership of His Excellency, Dr Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for providing the synergy for the effective relationship between the Executive and the Legislature in Enugu State in changing the dynamics of leadership.

“This conferment is a push to do more and I will not relent. Indeed, Tomorrow is Here. On behalf of the good people of Nsukka East Constituency, I say thank you and God bless,” Hon Engr Dr Ezugwu said. 

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