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Determined to ensure effective disposal of waste in Enugu State, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, yesterday, ordered the establishment of a task force that would assist the Enugu State Waste Management Authority (ESWAMA) in getting rid of refuse at dump locations in the state, especially in Enugu metropolis.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting of the State Executive Council (EXCO), the State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Ogbuagu Anikwe, disclosed that Gov. Ugwuanyi “expressed disappointment with the management of the agency and promised to effect radical changes should they continue to fail in their duties to keep the city clean”.
Mr. Anikwe stated that the governor, while addressing the EXCO meeting “reiterated his resolve that Enugu must continue to be squeaky clean and asked ESWAMA management to live up to the task or risk being disbanded”.
The Information Commissioner also disclosed that the Council approved the release of the sum of N310.23m to the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) for the conduct of the November 4, 2017 Local Government Elections in the State.
He noted that the approval, which was sequel to a financial request for funds made to the state government by the Chairman of ENSIEC, Dr. Mike E. Ajogwu, SAN, was in addition to the N25m earlier approved by the Council on 19th July, 2017, as take-off funds for the Commission.
The funds, according to the Commissioner, will be deployed for procurement of sensitive materials, ballot papers and election forms, transportation, security, publicity and payment of honoraria and allowances to fulltime and ad-hoc staff.
Mr. Anikwe equally announced that the Council voted to resurface the entrance to the Ogbete Main Market, Enugu, which he said, is beginning to constitute an eye-sore, quoting the governor as saying: “This is a beautiful town and all those entrusted with responsibility to keep it so must do their jobs.”
During the briefing, the State Commissioner for Gender Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Princess Peace Nnaji told journalists that the Council approved a gender policy that would be incorporated in all public establishments and offices in the state, with technical support from the UK Department for International Development (DFID).
She stated that Enugu and Kaduna states were selected by DFID for the replication of the approach which the Federal Government implemented in 2013 as the Girls & Women in Nigeria Initiative (GWIN).
The Project, she explained, is aimed at improving the lives of the disadvantaged, specifically girls and women, by integrating their needs into official budgetary processes.
“For Enugu State, the replication has been named ENGAGE, the Enabling Growth and Access for Girls and Women (ENGAGE) Project,” Hon. Princess Nnaji, explained in a memo to the State Executive Council.
Explaining further, she told newsmen that every ministry and agency of government will henceforth have a Gender Desk that will analyze activities and projects in terms of how they reflect gender sensitivity in their composition or distribution, adding that “the ministries and agencies are not expected to look for new projects to implement but will be looking at existing projects in the budget and redesign and refocus them to ensure they deliver more for poor girls, women, men, and boys”.
Shortly after the Council meeting, Gov. Ugwuanyi swore in Local Government Transition Committee Chairmen and Deputies to replace those who resigned to contest in the September 16, 2017 LG primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), urging political parties to ensure a rancor-free electioneering process, “as this would be a huge step in ensuring that the wishes of the electorate are respected and that they get the leaders they truly deserve”.
The governor added that this “is also in accordance with my resolve to ensure that Enugu remains at peace during my tenure as governor”.
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