NEXT ENUGU GOVERNMENT MUST ERADICATE POVERTY IN THE REGION, ACCORDING TO AN ACTIVIST

The next governor of Enugu State, according to human rights activist Obiora Omeje, must lift the state out of its “current poverty index.”

Omeje stated that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuayi’s successor should be an industrialist with a strong economic team in a statement made available to our correspondent on Saturday.

To prevent the state from being ranked as one of the poorest in the nation, he suggested that the new governor appoint a capable economic team.

He stated, “The Poverty Index Rate of some states was based on basic fundamental infrastructure and social amenities like roads, health, education, living standard, etc. He was referring to National Bureau of Statistics data on Enugu State as of 2019.

“Enugu was ranked 11th among Nigeria’s 20 poorest states.

“With Enugu ranking second in poverty after Ebonyi, with a poverty rate of 58.19%, the next governor must consider improving the state’s source of income by improving internally generated revenue and allowing investors to come in with initiatives to industrialize the state, which will eventually create more employment.”

He described the situation as “unacceptably bad,” adding that “the Coal City is blessed with numerous resources, including resourceful youths spread across the 17 local government areas.”

He lamented that “Several roads in the state are in bad shape, with the insecurity problems now posing a threat to economic activities. With all of these challenges, it is unarguable that it will be unappealing to foreign investors and will almost certainly slow the growth of internal revenue.”

He advised that the state’s IGR could be improved through land reforms, tax reform, security of lives and properties, tourism promotion, the construction of a tech hub with the recently signed start-up bill, and resource management.