Senator Natasha Hadiza Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, has filed a N5.1 billion lawsuit against Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi for alleged defamation. The suit, filed on April 7, 2025, at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, seeks a series of declarations and damages over statements made by Senator Nwaebonyi during televised interviews and online videos.
Through her legal team led by Michael Jonathan Numa SAN, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan contends that Nwaebonyi, during a March 6 appearance on Channels TV’s *Sunrise Daily*, described her as a “gold digger,” “habitual liar,” and “habitual blackmailer.” She claims the statements are false, malicious, and defamatory, and have caused significant harm to her reputation and standing in public view.
The lawsuit also cites a March 3 interview on Arise News where Nwaebonyi allegedly stated she was “a mother of six from different men.” Further comments included in YouTube videos from News Central TV and other platforms are also being challenged. Among the statements highlighted are accusations that her current marriage was a result of blackmail and that she falsely accused Reno Omokri of sexual harassment.
Akpoti-Uduaghan argues that these remarks, broadcast to a wide audience, are not protected under freedom of speech and instead amount to personal attacks aimed at damaging her character. She seeks a declaration that the statements are defamatory, an apology published in national newspapers, and a court order restraining Senator Nwaebonyi from making further defamatory remarks.
In addition to the requested N5 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages, she is also asking the court to award N100 million as the cost of the action and post-judgment interest at 10 percent per annum until full payment is made.
President Donald Trump has informed his inner circle that Elon Musk will soon step back from his role as a key administration figure, shifting to a supporting advisory position.
While Trump remains pleased with Musk’s contributions to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), both men have agreed it’s time for Musk to return to his business ventures, according to three sources familiar with the discussions.
Musk’s exit follows growing frustrations within Trump’s administration over his unpredictability and perceived political liabilities, according to Politico.
His outspoken support for a conservative judge who lost a Wisconsin Supreme Court race by 10 points underscored concerns about his role. Despite previous assurances that Musk was “here to stay,” the shift in stance aligns with the upcoming expiration of his 130-day special government employee status.
A senior administration official noted that Musk is expected to maintain an informal advisory role. Another insider dismissed the idea that Musk would completely disappear from Trump’s orbit, saying, “Anyone who thinks that is fooling themselves.”
The move comes amid tensions over Musk’s lack of coordination with senior staff and Cabinet members. His unexpected social media posts, including controversial agency-cutting plans, often blindsided White House officials.
Despite these challenges, Trump has continued to publicly praise Musk’s work.
During a Cabinet meeting, Trump lauded him for exposing government waste: “Elon, I want to thank you—I know you’ve been through a lot,” he said, calling him “a patriot” and “a friend of mine.”
Musk, wearing a red MAGA hat, received further praise from Cabinet members who had previously clashed with him over his aggressive bureaucracy-cutting approach.
Both men have hinted at Musk’s departure. When asked by Fox News’ Bret Baier if he would leave when his special government employee status expires, Musk responded, “I think we will have accomplished most of the work required to reduce the deficit by $1 trillion within that time frame.”
Trump echoed the sentiment, saying, “At some point, Elon’s gonna want to go back to his company. I’d keep him as long as I could.”
While Musk has been a powerful ally, some in Trump’s circle believe his unpredictability is becoming a liability. One longtime adviser put it bluntly: “They think he’s a genius, but he’s a one-man wrecking ball.”
The shift became evident at a recent Cabinet meeting when Trump clarified that agency cuts were the responsibility of department heads, not Musk. While some officials felt relieved, others acknowledge Musk’s significant role in Trump’s agenda. “Elon’s taken a lot of bullets for Trump—a lot,” one ally noted. “But if it starts to rub off on him, that’s when the honeymoon ends.”
According to the report, tensions peaked about a month ago when Trump told secretaries during a March 6 Cabinet meeting that they, not Musk, were responsible for making cuts at their agencies.
When Trump doubled down at last week’s Cabinet meeting, confirming Musk’s impending departure from his full-time White House role, some secretaries felt relieved, according to sources familiar with their thinking.
Still, Trump’s praise for Musk was sincere, they said. Despite their tumultuous relationship, insiders insist the president will always hold a special place for Musk—if not in his administration, then in his heart.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said the petition to recall the senator representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, is inadequate.
INEC said this in a terse post on X while promising to release a detailed statement on the development later.
The post read: “The petition for the recall of the Senator representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
President Tinubu has succumbed to the general outcry for overhaul of the present NNPC Board led by Mr Kyari . Confirming the overhaul in a statement made available to BVI Channel 1, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, said the President dissolved the NNPCL Board and appointed Mr. Bayo Ojulari as Kyari’s replacement, effective from Wednesday, April 2, 2025.
According to him, President Tinubu also appointed Ahmadu Musa Kida as NNPC’s new non-executive Chairman, replacing Pius Akinyelure, and also announced Adedapo Segun as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
Onanuga said, the President, in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), also appointed six non-executive directors from each geopolitical zone, who include: Henry Obih representing the south-east, Bello Rabiu from the north-west, and Yusuf Usman from the north-east. Others, he said, include Babs Omotowa, a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), for the north-central, Austin Avuru for the south-south, and David Ige for the south-west.
He further announced that the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Lydia Shehu Jafiya, and Aminu Said Ahmed of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources will represent their respective ministries on the new Board.
Onanuga cited need for “enhanced operational efficiency, restored investor confidence, and a more commercially viable NNPC” as the reason Tinubu invoked his powers under section 59(2) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 to carry out the sweeping reconstitution and shake-off
“This restructuring is aimed at repositioning NNPC Limited for greater productivity and efficiency in line with global best practices. We are taking bold steps to transform the company into a more commercially driven and transparent entity,” he stated.
He reiterated that the changes are with immediate effect, adding that the new Board has been handed a strategic action plan, which includes a “review of NNPC-operated and Joint Venture Assets to ensure alignment with value maximisation objectives”.
It was further gathered Onanuga that Tinubu, who has prioritised investment-driven reforms in the oil sector, highlighted that since 2023, his administration has attracted $17 billion in new investments and is now targeting $30 billion by 2027and $60 billion by 2030.
According to him, the government also aims to raise crude oil production to two million barrels daily by 2027 and three million by 2030, alongside a gas production goal of 8 billion cubic feet daily by 2027 and 10 billion cubic feet by 2030.
“Furthermore, President Tinubu expects the new board to elevate NNPC’s share of crude oil refining output to 200,000 barrels by 2027 and reach 500,000 by 2030,” he added, further stating that the administration has prioritised domestic refining capacity to reduce reliance on fuel imports and strengthen Nigeria’s energy security.
Concluding, he said “President Tinubu thanked the old board members for their dedicated service to NNPC Limited, particularly their efforts in rehabilitating the old Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, which enabled them to resume petroleum product production after prolonged shutdowns. He wished them well in their future endeavours.”
It was gathered that the new Group CEO of NNPCL, Ojulari, who hails from Kwara State, obtained a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
He started his career at Elf Aquitaine before joining the Shell Petroleum Development Company in 1991 as an associate production technologist.
His expertise spans petroleum process engineering, strategic planning, and field development, having worked across Europe and the Middle East.
In 2015, he was appointed Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO).
Until his latest appointment, he was executive vice-president and chief operating officer at Renaissance Africa Energy Company, leading a consortium that recently acquired Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) for $2.4 billion.
On his own side, Kida, the new non-executive Chairman of NNPCL brings over three decades of experience in the oil and gas sector. Also a graduate of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he earned a degree in Civil Engineering, he has a Postgraduate Diploma in Petroleum Engineering from the Institut Francaise du Petrol (IFP) in Paris.
He began his career at Elf Petroleum Nigeria before moving to Total Exploration and Production, where he rose to become Deputy Managing Director of Deep Water Services in 2015. He most recently served as an independent non-executive Director at Pan Ocean-Newcross Group, before his latest appointment by President Tinubu.
It would be recalled that many independent groups, including the Arewa Democratic Front (ADF), has repeatedly called and mounted pressure on President Tinubu to sack, arrest and investigate Mele Kyari as NNPCL Boss, citing many reasons, such as incompetence, inefficiency, corruption, 6 trillion PMS subsidy debt and persistent fuel crisis, among others.
The groups had further demanded that Kyari, after sack, be held accountable for his actions and, if found guilty, be prosecuted and made to face the fullest weight of the law.
Today being 31st March,2025 ,it has become obvious that our political class is not ready for democracy and good Governance.
Our education system has not prepared us to appreciate the basic issues confronting third world Countries and we have not intentionally developed our education system to address the needs of our environment.
Sadly , Nigerian President and Governor(s) were all playing politics with Governance . The people of Nigeria have been weaponized with poverty , hunger and fear for unknown, however, cannot think straight .
We are good at copying ,imitating ,hence,we have not copied the system of Democracy to address our local needs and to that extent , democracy has failed us . What we have is the Government of few by the few and for the few privileged people . At the federal level , President Tinubu is busy with appointments into federal boards and offices without programs that will favour millions of Nigerians . At the State level , what we have are Emperors occupying Government houses.
As Ambassador of Good Governance, let me remind us that Good Governance is putting political and institutional processes to development goals. At the federal level, the present system of government with over 200 million people is not sustainable. The centre is too powerful and must devolute powers to the federating units . The electoral body must be reformed to make the body truly independent. Nigeria identity management office must be reformed to make it compulsory for every Nigerians to have a biometric number within a few months .
At the State level ,Governors should stop playing politics with Governance . Nigeria’s faulty Constitution gives Land administration to the Governors. They should use the provision to create economic prosperity for the masses viz food security, affordable housing ,and healthcare among others. Political and institutional processes that will lead to food security and massive job creation as well as addressing economic inequalities should be given top priority .
Now study the meaning of Good Governance to be informed;
Good governance refers to the process by which public institutions conduct public affairs and manage public resources, ensuring the realization of human rights, and operating in a manner essentially free of abuse, corruption, and with due regard for the rule of law.
Core Principles of Good Governance-
1. Participation: Involves all citizens in decision-making processes, ensuring their voices are heard and their interests are represented.
2. Rule of Law: Ensures that all individuals, including government officials, are subject to and accountable under the law.
3. Transparency: Means that information is readily available and accessible to the public, allowing for scrutiny and accountability.
4.Responsiveness: Involves institutions and processes that are responsive to the needs and concerns of citizens, ensuring their interests are protected.
5.Consensus-Oriented: Focuses on building consensus and finding common ground through dialogue and negotiation.
6.Equity and Inclusiveness: Strives to ensure that all groups, including marginalized and vulnerable populations, have equal access to opportunities and resources.
7. Effectiveness and Efficiency: Ensures that resources are used wisely and that government actions achieve desired outcomes.
8.Accountability: Means that those in power are held responsible for their actions and decisions, and that there are mechanisms for redress and accountability.
Importance of Good Governance:
1. Good governance is crucial for promoting sustainable development, fostering economic growth, and improving the quality of life for citizens.
2.It helps to build trust in government and institutions, and to strengthen democratic values.
3. It is essential for protecting human rights and ensuring that all citizens have equal access to justice and opportunities.
A bill seeking to return the country to a parliamentary system of government passed its second reading on the floor of the House of Representatives on Thursday.
The bill was among 31 Constitution amendment bills passed for second reading at the plenary presided over by Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Okezie Kalu.
The proposed legislation, titled: “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to Provide for the Office of the Prime Minister as Head of Government and the Office of President as Head of State and to Provide for a Framework for the Mode of Election to the Said Offices and for Related Matters (HB.1115)”, is sponsored by the House Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, and 59 other lawmakers.
If passed, the bill will replace the current presidential system with a parliamentary model, where executive powers will be vested in a Prime Minister elected by the legislature, while the President will serve as the ceremonial Head of State.
60 members of the House of Representatives had February 14, 2024 introduced three bills proposing alterations to the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) to transition from the current presidential system to the parliamentary system of government by 2031.
The bills are the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2024 (HB.1115); Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2024 (HB.1116) and Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2024 (HB.1117).
Briefing journalists after the introduction of the bills, the lawmakers said they came together across party affiliations and regional backgrounds to present the bills proposing constitutional alterations to pave the way for the transition of the system of government.
Abdussamad Dasuki, who spoke on behalf of the sponsors, had said the proposed alterations, when passed, would significantly impact the national political landscape.
Over the years, the imperfections of the presidential system of government have become glaring to all, despite several alterations to the constitution to address the shortcomings of a system that has denied the nation the opportunity of attaining its full potential.
“Among these imperfections are the high cost of governance, leaving fewer resources for crucial areas like infrastructure, education and healthcare, and consequently hindering the nation’s development progress, and the excessive powers vested in the members of the executive, who are appointees and not directly accountable to the people.
“That (parliamentary) was the governance system of the First Republic, a period when legislative and executive powers were exercised by the representatives of the people in parliament and in the executive, and by the nature of the system, these representatives were accountable to the people. For six years while it was in operation, the system worked for the country,” he said.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has commended the fast transitioning of Enugu State into a digital economy, saying the state was fast becoming a standard for tech-driven societies under Governor Peter Mbah’s leadership.
This was even as Governor Mbah restated the preparedness of his administration to partner the federal government on a number of projects and initiatives to consolidate the gains of the past 22 months.
The Minister spoke during a working visit to Enugu State Government House today.
“Enugu is fast becoming a benchmark for how subnational governments can take bold steps to build thriving, inclusive, and tech-driven societies.
“Governor Mbah’s broader achievements in infrastructure, education, and economic reforms are commendable. Perhaps, most exciting for us at the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy is his intentional focus on building a digital economy.
“A strong example of this is the Smart Green Schools, recently inaugurated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu alongside the waiving of Right of Way fees for fibre networks. These initiatives clearly demonstrate the governor’s commitment to equipping young people with the tools and spaces they need to thrive in the digital economy – and are a reflection of his bold vision to transform Enugu into a $30bn economy in eight years,” Dr. Tijani stated.
He said the FG was, therefore, very eager to collaborate with the state on various initiatives to grow the digital economy.
“First, through the Project 774 Connectivity, we will provide internet connectivity in all 17 local government secretariats in Enugu State powered by Galaxy Backbone (GBB) and Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMAT).
“Galaxy Backbone will partner with the state to establish a Digital Innovation Complex in Enugu, which will integrate a Tier Three III Data Centre; a co-working space for entrepreneurs, Small and Medium Enterprises, and tech startups; an Incubation hub, offering mentorship, funding access, and acceleration support and a training centre for digital skills and workforce development,” he stated.
The Minister said the Galaxy Blackbone would provide internet connectivity to over 200 state-owed institutions, including Smart Green Schools, Primary Health Centres, the State Secretariat, and Government House.
He added that the Ministry would, through the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), partner with the state to invest in infrastructure support such as connection of presently unconnected rural areas.
He announced that FG would establish an Artificial Intelligence Regional Centre for the South East at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, while the Ministry would launch the already established South East Zonal Office of the National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA) in Enugu in the next two months as well as plans to train 100 persons in the state on in-demand skills for cybersecurity and infrastructure defence.
“Finally, we are committing to train 1,555,000 residents of Enugu State in essential digital skills through NUTDA’s Digital Literacy for All initiative before 2027,” Tinaji concluded.
Speaking, Governor Mbah reiterated his administration’s commitment to harnessing the full potentials of the digital economy towards the goal of diversifying revenue streams and growing Enugu into a $30bn economy.
Besides the Smart Green Schools aimed at imbuing pupils with knowledge and skills that sufficiently prepare them for the dynamic workplace of tomorrow, Mbah said the state had fully transitioned to an e-governance platform, a centralised portal that has improved efficiency and transparency, ensured workflow automation and inter-MDA integration.
“Our embrace of innovation is equally evident in our Command and Control Centre, where we have deployed the tools of technology to secure our streets and neighbourhoods through a round-the-clock surveillance system.
“We are in the process of integrating the Command and Control Centre with the NCC Emergency Communication Centre (ECC) to operationalise the Rapid Response Squad (RRS). This allows real-time emergency coordination via the national 112 emergency number, strengthening public safety and inter-agency communication.”
He added that the state was also in the final stages of signing a 25-year facility lease with NCC for the Digital Bridge Institute and Digital Industrial Park, repurposed as an Academic and Innovation Hub, Outsourcing Facility, and Digital Training Centre.
The naira at the end of trading on Tuesday recorded a marginal decline when compared to the value it traded for on Monday.
Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) indicated that the Naira depreciated to 1,532.39 per dollar on the Nigeria Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM).
This marks a slight depreciation from Monday’s value, when the local currency traded at N1,531.19 per dollar.
In the parallel market, commonly referred to as the black market, the Naira also strengthened, exchanging at N1,565 per dollar compared to N1,570 it exchanged for on Monday.
Economists attribute the stability in the parallel market to a decline in demand for the Naira and various control measures enacted by the CBN, which is closely monitoring the activities of traders.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, on Tuesday, raised concerns over the petition for the recall of the suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The commission, in a statement signed by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, acknowledged receiving the petition, which includes six bags of documents that are said to contain signatures from more than half of the 474,554 registered voters in the district.
However, INEC pointed out that the petitioners failed to provide the necessary contact information, such as their addresses, phone numbers and email addresses, as required under the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024.
The petition, presented on behalf of the constituents by Charity Ijese and received by INEC’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, on Monday, was said to be lacking clear contact details for the representatives, with only the phone number of the lead petitioner provided
Also, INEC noted that the petition represents voters from five local government areas—Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi, and Okene—covering 902 polling units across 57 registration areas.
However, the commission criticised the petitioners for providing a vague address—simply listing “Okene, Kogi State”—which does not meet the standards outlined in the commission’s regulations.
The statement read in part, “The commission held its regular weekly meeting today, Tuesday, 25th March 2025. Among other issues, the meeting discussed the petition for the recall of the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The process of recall is enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022 as well as the commission’s detailed Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, available on our website. All petitions will be treated in strict compliance with the legal framework.
“The petition from Kogi Central Senatorial District was accompanied by six bags of documents said to be signatures collected from over half of the 474,554 registered voters spread across 902 Polling Units in 57 Registration Areas (Wards) in the five Local Government Areas of Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi and Okene.
“The commission’s immediate observation is that the representatives of the petitioners did not provide their contact address, telephone number(s) and e-mail address(es) in the covering letter forwarding the petition through which they can be contacted as provided in Clause 1(f) of our Regulations and Guidelines.
“The address given is ‘Okene, Kogi State’, which is not a definite location for contacting the petitioners. Only the telephone number of ‘the lead petitioner’ is provided as against the numbers of all the other representatives of the petitioners.”
The commission emphasised that the recall process is governed by the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC’s own detailed guidelines and that once the petition meets all the legal requirements, INEC will initiate the verification of signatures in an open process at each polling unit.
It said the verification will be limited to registered voters who signed the petition, and both the petitioners and the senator facing recall will have the right to nominate agents to observe the process.
Signature verification will be conducted using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, and media and other observers will be accredited.
Olumekun explained, “The commission wishes to reiterate that the recall of a legislator is the prerogative of registered voters in a constituency who sign a petition indicating loss of confidence in the legislator representing them.
“Once the petition meets the requirements of submission, as contained in our regulations, the commission shall commence the verification of the signatures in each Polling Unit in an open process restricted to registered voters who signed the petition only.
“The petitioners and the member whose recall is sought shall be at liberty to nominate agents to observe the verification, while interested observers and the media will also be accredited. At each Polling Unit, signatories to the petition shall be verified using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System.”
INEC assured the public that the recall process would proceed in accordance with the law, provided the petitioners fulfill all necessary guidelines.
However, in the absence of complete contact information, the commission is exploring alternative methods to notify the petition representatives.
INEC also urged the public to disregard any rumours or speculations circulating on social media and reiterated its commitment to ensuring that the process is carried out in full compliance with the legal framework.
“Consequently, if the petitioners fully comply with the requirements of Clause 1(f) of the Regulations and Guidelines regarding the submission of their petition, the commission will announce the next steps in line with the extant laws, regulations and guidelines.
In the absence of a definite contact address, the commission is making efforts to use other means to notify the representatives of the petitioners of the situation.
“The commission reassures the public that it will be guided by the legal framework for recall. The public should therefore discountenance any speculations and insinuations in the social media,” the statement concluded.
The recall petition follows several controversial events involving Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended from the Senate on March 6 for alleged “gross misconduct” following a dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The petition, titled “Constituents’ Petition for the Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Grounds of Loss of Confidence,” called for her removal due to accusations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and a pattern of deceit.
Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has signed an Executive Order relocating the current spare parts and allied trades markets as well as all other related industrial and commercial activities in the Coal Camp and other neighbourhoods within the Enugu Capital Territory to the site of the new International Spare Parts and Allied Trades Park.
The new site traverses Udi and Ezeagu Local Government Areas along the Enugu-Onitsha Road of the state.
The Executive Order is entitled the Designation and Establishment of the Enugu International Motor Spare Parts and Allied Traders Park, Nsude, Udi LGA and Ogwofia Owa in Ezeagu LGA and the Relocation of the Coal Camp Neighborhood and other Neighbourhoods in the Enugu Capital Territory to the New Enugu International Motor Spare Parts and Allied Trades Park Site.
Speaking at the the brief signing ceremony witnessed by the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, and leaders of Enugu spare parts dealers at the Government House on Friday, Mbah assured that the errors and challenges presented by the Coal Camp Spare Parts Market were being effectively addressed in the new one.
“This new market is actually a purpose-built vehicle because it is designed for market in the true sense of the word and with all the supporting facilities. We have taken into account all the safety codes that are required to have an international market.
“As you may already be aware, the construction is ongoing. We are aggressively opening up the roads and also the building itself. That construction has commenced.
“Our hope is that in the next few months, we are going to see the movement of you all from the current location to an international market where we have provided all the services. There is going to be a clinic and fire service there. There is going to be a truck park.
“All the errors, all the challenges and the problems we have in the existing market will all be addressed in the new market.
“We have also made sure that you do not live very far from your market. We have residences around the market. It is an ideal neighborhood concept where you can live comfortably within your neighborhood and still do your trading and businesses comfortably without traveling far to get things done,” the governor said.
In his remarks, the President of Enugu Motor Spare Parts Dealers Association, Chief Michael Nomeh, hailed the governor for keeping to his campaign promise after decades of disappointments endured by the traders
“We are so excited about the relocation of the Enugu motor spare parts dealers to the permanent site, which is of international standard.
“We thank the governor for the campaign promise that he has fulfilled. Since the inception of democracy in 1999 to date, there have been so many promises to our people that they will relocate us to the international market. But none of them has kept to their promises. That is why we appreciate the governor for keeping the campaign promises less than two years in office. He is a governor whom does exactly what he says he would do,” Chief Nomeh stated.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Enugu State Investment Development Authority, Dr. Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo, described both the move and the location of the new site as strategic, noting that the traders would be able to own shops, unlike the present Coal Camp site where most of them rented shops.
He explained that Enugu State Government is committed to the establishment of a commercial hub that will be a self-contained community with the full compliments of the various ancillary and supporting land uses that will create a comprehensive multi-functional commercial and industrial ecosystem in the emerging 9th Miles business corridor of the State.
“This move is a strategic one aimed at boosting our state economy in our drive to a $30bn GDP economy.
“If you know the location of the new place, it is so strategic. You cannot go from the Middle Belt or South South or Cross River or even from Cameroon to Onitsha without passing through there.
“The government is not building to make profit, but for the traders to move to a well-organised and safe environment for trading and living.
“The place is designed to have the commercial sections with shops of different categories, warehouses, workshops, ample parking spaces, water, power, and other utilities facilities.
“There are also residential areas. There are also going to be smart schools, the primary healthcare centers, the fire service station, Police station, the recreational park, and a football pitch. It is a modern place that everybody will be proud to live in. It is built for modern spare part and allied trade professionals,” he added
