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The African Export-Import Bank, Afreximbank, has committed to supporting the vision and agenda of the Governor Peter Mbah administration in Enugu State through the financing of several key projects to drive development and investment in the state.

The Bank said its interest in Enugu State stemmed from the vision Mbah had espoused and the work he was doing in the State, which it said, were in line with the bank’s goals and objectives for the rapid development of the African continent, noting that anything good that happens to Nigeria, inextricably happens to Africa.

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These were made known by the President of Afreximbank, Prof. Benedict Oramah, during a working visit to the Government House, Enugu, Tuesday, describing Mbah’s investment and development drive as impressive, adding, “whenever we see a leader take such solid and courageous steps, we fall in line because it makes our work much easier”.

Oramah said: “We have been discussing how to support the Enugu State Government and people. Today is the 2nd of January. So, this is the first official assignment I would do in 2024. It is remarkable for me and it speaks a whole lot about our friendship and also the confidence in the work you are doing and the vision you have, not only for this great state, but also for our country, Nigeria.

“We also thank you for the wisdom of visiting us in Cairo and having an extensive discussion on the development priorities of your government. We share in most of those priorities. In fact, I think the strategic thinking you have shown is still out of the book of our own, especially in how we believe that sub-nationals can contribute to the development aspirations of our country, Nigeria, and our continent.

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“I know we have identified specific areas, where we intend to quickly advance collaboration. We want to take a look at the hotel and the Conference Centre that is under development to work with you and see how quickly we can complete them.

“We also are very interested in supporting the development of the new terminal at the airport and especially the cargo and, of course, using it as a base to implement and grow an agro-processing zone. The airport will be critical in getting that done.

“We also think that the work that is being done at the hospital is nice. We are working on the African Medical Centre of Excellence. We are building one in Abuja. So, it is in that spirit that we will be looking at that medical centre to see how we can bring it into the circle.

“We are also interested in considering the development of solid minerals in Enugu State. We would follow that very closely to see also how we can play a role.

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“There are a number of infrastructural projects, roads that not only connect us, but also all the way to Cameroun. And that is why I think we have agreed that we put in place their preparation facility so that we can begin to develop bankable values for those aspects of interventions that we share as priorities.

“I want to assure you that you can count on us because we believe in the vision you have and we believe that those things that you have identified are things that will shape this state and also our country, Nigeria, and continent.

“Nigeria is not only the largest shareholder of Afreximbank, but also the largest economy on the continent. So, everything that happens to Nigeria, happens to Africa. So, for us, anything we can do to make Nigeria great is something that helps us to make Africa great.

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“So, it is our hope that by the end of 2024, we can point to some of these projects as completed projects or projects nearing completion for the benefit of Enugu State people, for the benefit of Nigeria, benefit of Africa, and of course, benefit of Afreximbank.”

Speaking, Governor Peter Mbah, who appreciated the Afreximbank President and his team for prioritising Enugu State in bank’s plans and development support, reiterated the determination of his administration to grow the state’s economy from $4.4bn to $30bn, assuring that the Enugu State Government would play its own part to ensure the actualisation of those pinpointed infrastructure to drive investment and grow the Enugu State and the nation’s economy.

Mbah also listed the steps taken by his administration to de-risk investment and promote ease of doing business in the state.

“Our aim is to make Enugu State the premier destination for investment. We are determined to make it easy for the investors to come in. So, we are highly impressed and very happy about the collaboration with Afreximbank and its affiliates. We have truly looked forward to this day because all that is lacking in everything we have said here is the necessary financial support. But with the assurances we are getting from you and with the zeal we both have in realising or accomplishing these projects, I have no doubt in my mind that our partnership will become a model”, Mbah stated.

Enugu’s 2024 budget to be funded mostly by IGR – Gov. Mbah

Enugu State governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, says the state’s N521.5bn 2024 budget, which he recently signed into law, will be financed through internally generated revenue (IGR).

Mbah, who also assured that the budget would be implemented to the letter, address lingering poverty, hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy, while raising workers welfare and purchasing power, however called on the workers to be ready to put in their best.

The governor stated this at a Holy Mass held at the Government House Chapel, Enugu, to mark the commencement of work in the New Year and pray for God’s blessings upon the state in 2024.

Mbah, who reiterated that only about 12 per cent of the ₦521 billion budget would be funded through borrowing, appealed to the people for more support through tax payment and protection of public assets.

“Now that we have this ambitious budget, which we are committed to implementing to the fullest, it is also for our people to continue to support the government. We must make sure that we protect government assets. They are our assets. We should not vandalise or steal government assets because you would only be cutting your nose to spite your face when you do so, as they belong to the people of Enugu State.

“We also encourage our people to pay their taxes, and they will see what the tax money that is being paid is used for.

“As you know, a lot of this spending is going to come from mobilising domestic revenue. We do not intend to borrow much. In fact, we are only borrowing less than 13 percent of the total budget seize. It will be for our people to continue to support the government.

“With the sort of spending we are going to be executing here in Enugu State, we are going to be able to tackle unemployment.

“We are also going to be able to deal with a lot of things as I have just mentioned, with more funds available to our civil servants and indeed to the entire people of Enugu State,” the governor said.

While reiterating that his administration would tackle dearth of infrastructure, provide quality and affordable education system through the construction of 260 smart schools, governor Mbah added that the ongoing construction of 260 Type-2 primary healthcare centres across the state would afford a healthy population of workforce for the much expected investment.

“From the over ₦414 billion capital expenditure, we are doing a number of radical things that we believe will impact the wellbeing and lives of the civil servants.

“We are going to be building 260 smart schools. What that translates to is that civil servants will no longer have a need to look for money to send their children to private schools.

“Each smart school also comes with teachers’ quarters. What that means is that the teachers will no longer have to bother about transportation or accommodation because these are all embedded in the smart schools that we are developing.

“We are also building 260 Type-2 primary healthcare centres. What that also means for the average civil servants is that they would not have to struggle to find money to go to a private hospital. They will have world-class medical services obtainable from the primary healthcare centres.

“In our mass housing effort, we plan to do 20,000 units in this same year’s budget,” he concluded.

The Holy Mass, which featured prayers for the state and the Mbah administration, was celebrated by the chaplain of the Government House, Chapel, Rev. Fr. Anthony Udeh, had in attendance Governor Peter Mbah; Deputy Governor, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai; Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu: Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Ozoemenam Afojulu; cabinet members, Government House workers, and several dignitaries, among others.