Written By Wisdom Nwedene
As Governor David Nweze Umahi’s first term in office is set to elapse soon, it is pertinent for me to analyze how well he has done as the Governor of Ebonyi State since 2015-2019 before he enters into the second phase of his administration.
This article is going to base on my findings as a journalist working in Ebonyi State and not just that, as an Indigene of the state.
There is no doubt that Umahi has done a remarkable job when it comes to infrastructure in Ebonyi State and I must commend him for that.
In fact, he has changed the narrative of the state, from “Dust Of The Nation” to indeed, the ‘Salt Of The Nation’ and even ‘Light of The Nation’.
Many people who visited Ebonyi State before Umahi became the Governor of the state can testify that Umahi is indeed a ‘workaholic Governor’ if they should visit the state now.
But how well has Umahi performed in other sectors?
EDUCATION : Let me first commend Umahi for reconstructing and equipping many schools in the state and also for approving the promotion of the state university staff – a decision that had stalled for years. Elechi’s administration failed woefully in this aspect.
Umahi also reduced the school fees of Ebonyi State University Students, although he collected it back from other avenue. Let me commend
I will rate him 6/10.
ROAD CONSTRUCTION : Umahi has performed very well in this aspect. He has completed over 30 roads within the capital city of Abakaliki. He has also rebuilt some federal roads, especially the Afikpo-Abakaliki Road and the Nkalagu Road.
He reconstructed many dilapidated roundabouts and built flyovers which have given the state capital a new look.
I rate him 9/10. Kudos to him.
HEALTH : Umahi has also tried in Health Sector. No wonder he declared emergency in the health sector and began the reconstruction of general hospitals in the state.
He built the first virology centre in the south east from scratch, to reduce Lassa fever deaths. He tried but Elechi performed better than him in this sector.
WORKERS : The workers in the state have been crying over umahi’s decision to revert to the old salary structure for workers, from the new structure approved by Elechi.
Every worker in the state has this mindset that Umahi’s administration hates them because of this decision. The workers in the state are poorly paid which is not good. He should do better in his second term in this sector.
Let me commend him though for paying workers’ salaries till date.
According to report, workers have received their salaries on for the last three years of him being in office. Also, Salaries are paid before 20th of every month, while those of teachers are paid before the 15th of every month.
I rate him 4/10.
INFRASTRUCTURE : I must say kudos to the governor for a job well done in this sector. He performed extremely well even with the small allocation the state receives every month.
He constructed many flyovers, Ebonyi Tunnel, reconstruction of Margret Umahi international market, State Of The Art Ecumenical Worship Centre, Shopping mall, reconstruction of Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, etc.
In fact, I rate him 9.5/10
AGRICULTURE: Governor Umahi performed very well in this sector equally. In his administration, he poured billions of naira into the sector as soft loans to farmers, targeting expanded rice farming. This can be verified. Just ask any serious farmer in Ebonyi State and he will testify to this.
He also bought parboiling machines for its three rice mills.
I rate him 7/10
In conclusion, I must say kudos to Umahi for achieving these feats but he must correct a lot of things in his administration.
*He must stop the family business which he has been doing since he emerged as the Governor of the state.
*The illegal tax collection currently rampaging the entire must stop. It is very devastating.
*There are Illegal fees going on in the University, Primary School, Secondary School which should be ended.
*Finally, he should treat the workers in the state very well.
(Wisdom Nwedene is a seasoned investigative reporter, editor, writer. He is currently studying English Language and literature at Ebonyi State University)
