The South-East Stakeholders Forum (SESF) has accused Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State of operating an administration characterised by “harsh anti-people” policies.
The forum said that Governor Mbah’s administration has failed to address human capital development in the state despite increased federal allocation.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday titled “Reverse Your Harsh Anti-People Governance” and signed by its Executive Director, Onyirimba Mazi, the Forum said that Governor Mbah’s administration has shown “indifference to the suffering of the masses” while imposing heavy tax burdens and failing to deliver on key campaign promises.
“We declare emphatically that the Governor Peter Mbah administration has so far scored zero in human capital development despite the increased allocation and support from the Federal Government which trickle down to the grassroots.
“In Enugu State, nothing is trickling down to local government councils, the people are yet to feel the direct impact of the Mbah administration,” the forum said.
The stakeholders accused the state government of abandoning several projects despite huge budgetary allocations while using conventional and social media to create false impressions.
It specifically faulted Mbah’s claims that 30 smart schools had been completed across the state, alleging that only one could be verified.
“We have traversed the length and breadth of Enugu State and could only find one completed smart school. Where are the other 29 Governor Mbah claims had been completed?” the group stated.
The forum also criticised the governor’s decision to float an airline, describing it as wasteful at a time when residents are groaning under multiple taxes.
“We are at loss over the floating of an airline by Gov Peter Mbah while other commercially viable States like Lagos and Rivers States which boast of higher internally generated revenue, IGR are focusing on projects with potentials of enhancing the socio-economic status of their citizens and enhancing their lifestyles,” they said.
“What we are witnessing in Enugu is the imposition of heavy tax burden on the people to finance white elephant projects like an airline that is definitely not viable.”
The group reminded the governor that 27 months after assuming office, he has yet to fulfil his campaign promise of delivering pipe-borne water to Enugu metropolis within six months.
It also lamented growing insecurity in the state, saying many residents now sleep with one eye open.
On the recently inaugurated CNG buses, the group claimed the initiative has failed to benefit the masses.
“Indeed, the recently inaugurated CNG buses confirm our fears that Gov Mbah is anti people,” the group said.
“The CNG buses are supposed to be for the masses with lower fares, but what we are seeing are buses charging higher fares than Keke Napep and mini buses. Didn’t the governor say the CNG buses fares are subsidised by the government?”
The group asked Governor Mbah to urgently review his policies and realign them to address the needs of the people rather than embarking on “projects that only generate media hype without tangible impact on citizens,” they stated.
