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ENUGU — The Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Enugu State chapter, Hon. Ugo Ferdinand Ukwueze, has announced the unanimous adoption of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s manifesto by the 17 local government chairmen in the state as a collective social contract to accelerate development across communities.

Ukwueze, who is also the Executive Chairman of Igboeze South Local Government Area, made the declaration while assessing the governor’s mid-term performance presentation, which showcased projects, policy initiatives and development programmes undertaken by the administration across various sectors of the state’s economy.

He said the decision by the council chairmen reflected their determination to align local government development priorities with the state government’s agenda, insisting that the councils would work collectively to translate the manifesto into measurable outcomes at the grassroots.

The mid-term presentation attracted political leaders, members of the clergy, traditional rulers, representatives of the organised private sector and other stakeholders from the 17 local government areas.

Commending the administration’s development initiatives, Ukwueze identified education as one of the sectors receiving substantial attention, citing the construction of 268 Smart Green Schools across the state’s 312 wards.

He said the investment in modern educational infrastructure was being complemented by technical education and software development programmes aimed at preparing young people for emerging opportunities in the global economy.

The ALGON chairman also acknowledged the administration’s efforts to reposition Enugu’s economy through aviation, transportation, agriculture and industrial development.

He specifically highlighted the activation of the Enugu Air economy, the establishment of compressed natural gas (CNG) bus terminals and the revitalisation of United Palm Products Limited, which he said had attracted over N100 billion in investments into the palm plantation ecosystem.

According to him, the return of Sunrise Flour Mills to full operation through a public-private partnership and backward integration arrangement was another significant intervention in the state’s industrial revival efforts.

He also identified the development of a world-class abattoir and ranch for livestock production and protein processing, as well as the ongoing cargo terminal project, as initiatives expected to expand economic activities and create new opportunities.

On the solid minerals and energy sector, Ukwueze said the partnership between the state government and the Bureau of Public Enterprises had opened new prospects for exploiting Enugu’s extensive coal deposits.

He disclosed that the state had over two billion metric tonnes of high-grade coal resources and that an investor had already been secured for the proposed development of a new energy economy at Amansiodo.

On healthcare, he commended the construction and equipping of 260 Type Two Primary Healthcare Centres across the state’s wards and the recruitment of 2,250 health personnel to strengthen manpower and ensure continuous healthcare delivery.

He further highlighted the establishment of advanced diagnostic facilities, including MRI, radiology, CT scan and mammography services, as part of efforts to improve access to specialised medical services and position Enugu as a healthcare destination.

Ukwueze also drew attention to the administration’s tourism development initiatives, which include six tourism destinations and the repositioning of the historic Nsude Pyramid as an international cultural and heritage attraction.

Other projects he highlighted include the Cross of Hope development linking Ahum Monastery to Okpatu Hill, the Ovu Lake Resort with an 18-hole golf course, Akpofu lakeside development with 100 housing units, and the Akwuke Beach Resort.

He said the proposed Cross of Hope project would feature a 70-metre cross, an observatory and cable car facilities, while the Akpofu development would incorporate a jetty, boat regatta and clubhouse.

The administration’s efforts to attract international hospitality investments, including the Marriott brand and four branded hotels in Enugu, were also cited as part of the state’s strategy to strengthen tourism and investment opportunities.

Addressing concerns surrounding taxation, the ALGON chairman maintained that the administration’s reforms were focused on harmonising statutory charges relating to utilities, land use, tenement rates and service fees rather than introducing arbitrary new taxes.

He said Governor Mbah had pledged to publish the harmonised charges for public verification, adding that the state government was working to eliminate multiple taxation through legislative measures.

Ukwueze disclosed that the presumptive tax for small businesses had been pegged at N36,000 annually under the measures introduced through the Enugu State House of Assembly.

He urged residents to understand the administration’s tax reforms and avoid being misled by what he described as inaccurate narratives surrounding the policy.

The ALGON chairman also referenced the reported increase in the state’s internally generated revenue from N25 billion to N400 billion, describing the development as a significant milestone in the administration’s revenue mobilisation drive.

He expressed appreciation to the religious community, stating that 66 dioceses had honoured Governor Mbah in recognition of his moral leadership and inclusive governance.

The presentation was marked by enthusiastic reactions from participants, who reportedly interrupted proceedings with chants of “More four years, more four years” and the solidarity song, “On Your Mandate We Shall Stand.”

Speaking on behalf of the 17 council chairmen, Ukwueze said the adoption of the manifesto would be backed by measurable key performance indicators and monitoring mechanisms to ensure accountability and effective implementation.

He emphasised that local governments had constitutional responsibilities under the Fourth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and must therefore play active roles in supporting the state’s development agenda.

According to him, the councils would work to ensure that the benefits of government policies and projects reach communities through improved grassroots administration, infrastructure and economic opportunities.

He stressed that the collective adoption of the manifesto represented a commitment to shared responsibility between the state and local governments, with the ultimate objective of institutionalising sustainable development and strengthening Enugu’s position as an investment destination.

Ukwueze called on residents to continue engaging with the administration’s development programmes, expressing confidence that sustained cooperation among the different levels of government would consolidate the progress being pursued across the state.

“Enugu is growing, Enugu is rising,” he declared.