The group highlighted the governor’s recent initiatives, including the award of contracts for 141 urban and 20 rural roads and the construction of additional 133 smart schools.

In a statement issued weekend in Enugu by PAWI’s Director of Monitoring/Evaluation and Strategic Communications Director, Dr. Mrs. Ogochukwu Obealor, the group praised Governor Mbah’s administration for its adherence to the principles of inclusion, transparency, and accountability.

 The group noted that the recent road projects aligned with PAWI’s good governance philosophy, which emphasized fair and ethical conduct and public participation in decision-making processes.

“The Probity and Accountability Watch Initiative (PAWI) commends His Excellency Barr Peter Mbah, Governor of Enugu State, for his exceptional leadership and commitment to good governance as evidenced by his recent initiatives in infrastructure and education.”

“After a thorough evaluation of Governor Mbah’s administration, PAWI is pleased to acknowledge the award of contracts for the construction of 141 urban roads and 20 rural roads across Enugu State. This significant investment aligns with our core principles of inclusion, transparency, and accountability. The dual focus on urban and rural infrastructure ensures that both city and rural dwellers benefit equally, fostering equitable development across the state.”

“Additionally, we applaud the Governor’s approval for the construction of 133 new smart schools, bringing the total number of smart schools to 260. This initiative is instrumental in providing modern educational facilities in every political ward, thereby enhancing educational access and quality throughout Enugu State.”

“These developments are not only crucial for improving transportation and educational infrastructure but also play a pivotal role in supporting agricultural productivity. By easing transportation bottlenecks and improving market access, these projects will significantly benefit local farmers and contribute to sustainable economic growth.”

“We are glad that we are seeing the value for money in a manner that is compliant with relevant policy and is conducted in a fair, ethical, impartial, and transparent manner.”

“Applying probity in development project, and all government decision making processes involving the expenditure of government money, demonstrates propriety in government dealings, building confidence to encourage citizens participation, through inclusivity, government actions, decisions and outcomes.”

“PAWI remains committed to promoting good governance through probity and accountability. We believe that these projects reflect the Governor’s dedication to ethical leadership and development, which aligns with our vision of a fair, transparent, and inclusive decision-making process”

“We urge all stakeholders to support these commendable efforts and contribute to the ongoing progress and prosperity of Enugu State, “the statement reads
Recall that governor Mbah’s administration has recently allocated a substantial budget of N183 billion for the construction of roads across Enugu State. This includes the dualisation of the 41.3km Abakpa Nike-Opi-Nsukka Road, the Penocks Junction-Nike Lake Road to T-Junction Flyover, the Nomeh-Mburubu-Nara Road with two new bridges, and the Umabi-Ehuhe Achi Road with a spur to Agbudu-Ihe-Owelli-Ogugu along the Enugu-Port Harcourt old road. Other key projects include Nomeh-Oduma Road, Mburubu-Nkereffi Road, and Amodu-Akpugo Road.”

Engr. Gerald Otiji, Enugu State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, outlined the scope of these projects in a detailed briefing.

 He emphasized that the road developments are crucial for enhancing agricultural productivity, reducing transportation bottlenecks, and facilitating the movement of goods from farms to markets. This investment is designed to uplift rural infrastructure and support economic growth by improving access and market connectivity.

Additionally, the Enugu State government has approved the construction of 133 more smart schools, expanding the total number of smart schools to 260. This initiative aims to ensure that every political ward in the state has access to a modern educational facility.

Governor Mbah has articulated that these road and educational projects are integral to his broader strategy of de-risking agricultural investments and bolstering economic growth. By improving infrastructure and educational opportunities, the state government aims to foster both urban and rural economic development.

PAWI, a non-for-profit and non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting good governance, emphasizes the importance of probity and accountability in government. The organization advocates for transparency, predictability, and inclusiveness in decision-making processes, which are crucial for fostering a fair and ethical society.

PAWI’s focus on probity, rather than solely on anti-corruption measures, reflects a strategic approach to improving governance by encouraging ethical behavior and incremental progress. The organization believes that enhancing probity and good governance will contribute to a more transparent and accountable system of governance.

The extensive investments made by Governor Mbah’s administration in both infrastructure and education are seen as a testament to the state government’s commitment to addressing development challenges and advancing economic progress across Enugu State.