FROM: LarryBravo Nwaiwu, Enugu

Enugu State Governor, Barr. Peter Mbah has extolled the virtues of the Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Ugwu, saying the lawmaker represented uncommon legislative qualities and astute character that endeared him to his constituents and the people of the state in general through his robustly engaged leadership of the 8th Assembly.

The governor, who further hailed the cordial relationship that exists between the executive arm and the legislative arm of government in the state, added that the relationship has translated into the provision of dividends of democracy for the people in terms of growth and development.

Governor Mbah, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Barr Ifeanyi Ossai, made the remark, yesterday, at an event marking the thanksgiving mass and civic reception of the Speaker by his people of Okpatu, Udi North State Constituency, in Udi local government area of the state.

“I want to inform the people of Okpatu and Udi in general that Enugu State Government and the House of Assembly have a robust symbiotic relationship. In the history of parliamentary relationship, I think this is about the most robust and smooth. There is no executive bill we sent to the House of Assembly that they did no pass after rigorous scrutiny and debate, nor did they not pass it in record time. I am using this opportunity from a grateful government to thank the House of Assembly and particularly the Speaker that is providing the leadership. We need that stability for us to keep on in our job of fulfilling the promises we made to you. So, we are grateful to the speaker and all the members of the House,” the governor noted.

While appreciating the people of Udi for the overwhelming support the government received during the electioneering period, the governor explained that the administration had already embarked on massive infrastructure that is ushering in revolution in development across the state, adding that what the people had witnessed over the past few months was only a snippet of what is to come.

“I want to tell you that in Enugu State, we’re witnessing a revolution in development that we have never seen before and I can attest to this fact that it has started. What you are seeing now is just a snippet of what will happen. This is just a conflagration and it’s going to expand. Our elasticity of will to do the people’s work is limitless and we have the courage and the unstoppable energy to keep to the assignment you gave us to do. And I am making a firm commitment on behalf of our Governor and the government he leads that we will not let Enugu State down,” he further reassured.

Mbah also noted that the federal presence in the state in terms of some of the ongoing highways projects and other interventions were as a result of the frequent engagement with the federal government by the state government, observing that the administration had committed a lot in lobbying the federal government which ensured the continuous works at the 9th Mile-Okpatu-Ukehe and the 9th Mile-Opi federal roads, among other projects.

He appreciated the Nigeria president, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, and other federal bodies for the partnership leading to the social engineering in the state even as he beaconed on the federal legislators from the state to keep on working for the progress and development of Enugu.

Speaking earlier, the Speaker said the overwhelming victory of the PDP in the council area was a significant message that the people still had unflinching faith and confidence in the government led by the party.

He thanked his people for the reception and promised to keep on doing more than they expected from him, assuring that development would be spread across the state with the inclusive posture of the administration.

The Speaker further appreciated the governor for working diligently to deliver on his promises to the people, promising that his leadership would not clog the effort to make the state great again.

“I want to promise the governor that the House of Assembly will continue to have a cordial relationship with the executive because it will be for the overall interest of the citizens and people of Enugu State.

“To my Okpatu people, I want to assure you that I will always be by the side of the governor to get your fair share of development, of infrastructure and of growth that the administration can give,” he added.