In the last few weeks the state of public infrastructure in Ebonyi State has been in the front burner of public discourse among residents and visitors in the state.
A friend who visited Ebonyi in February jokingly told me that we should change our sobriquet from “ Salt of the Nation” to the “Dust of the Nation”!
For about three years now, public infrastructure in the state has taken a deep dive into dysfunction, dilapidation and chaos, a situation that has in no small way blighted the government of Governor Ogbonna Nwifuru, despite his percieved good intentions.
From road networks, sanitation, water, education and other social services, Ebonyi State seem worse off that it was in 2023 when former governor David Umahi handed over to his protege.
And, a critical look into the affairs of the state paints a picture of a government deliberately calibrated to fail, especially in the area pf infrastructure development.
For a start, in most societies, public infrastructure development is planned in a measurable manner whereby the expectations of the government and by extension, the tax payers are built-in in the execution of such projects.
Such expectations are seen in the standard required, timelines of delivery and expected impact on the community and the goodwill of the government. This embedded expectation in translated into the process of funding and execution of such projects.
To ensure that the government achieves its goal- the execution of such projects are given to competent companies who in turn bid, by showing their ability to deliver such jobs at the most practicable cost, hence the Nigerian procurement law and processes.
I recall in other states of Nigeria, at most road projects sites one would see signpost showing the clients, the company doing the job and the expected delivery dates. This situation creates clear timelines and builds public confidence in the execution process, it also clearly defines responsibilities-viz: funding and execution.
The Ebonyi Situation
In Ebonyi State today, it seems governance cannot be separated from friendship, camaraderie relationships and patronage. This situation has led to a situation whereby public infrastructure projects are subjected to political patronage and settlements. Road projects are now “ dashed” out to cabinet members, friends and benefactors, who in turn see such as opportunities for enriching themselves as part of their own share of the proverbial national cake. I recall the “ two kilometre roads” and “ traditional rulers palaces.” That is why, of all the 36 states in Nigeria, it is only in Ebonyi State that top government officials are seen hauling humongous wads of cash at celebrants on birthdays and marriage ceremonies, while the offices of such government officials are unable to showcase a single achievement in office.
In Ebonyi State today, every government official has suddenly become a “ Philanthropist” who awards scholarships, empowers youth and women and generally bestrode their communities as kings. Today in Ebonyi State, top government officials are commissioning their mansions, while the state hemorrhages uncontrollably; in Ebonyi State today, government officials are in competition trying to outdo one another in show -off in public functions, yet as public official there is nothing to show they have achieved for the state.
Whereas, there is hardly any commissioner or SSA or SA in the government that can speak to the activities, plans, programmes and policies of the government beyond praising the governor of the state. And anyone that shares a different opinion is tagged an “ opposition.” Examples abound!
The VANCO TUNNEL Conundrum
Every public infrastructure project is measurable both in cost and benefit, that is why all over the world, the government or town planners create an artistic impression of projects to show host communities of the envisaged outcome of major projects. Such projects are also measured by the progressive gain that would follow.
In the case of the Vanco junction, Ogoja road was the economic nerve-centre of Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital. The road houses over 75% of all the financial institutions in the state, major stores, private businesses, even the iconic Abakaliki Rice Mill is located on Ogoja Road. However, the Ebonyi State Government, for reasons best known to it has shutdown that major business artery for three years now without any clear part for recovery. Most businesses and business owners on that road have died because, it is obvious that the government didn’t have any plan for the business district!
The worst aspect of the decapitation of the Abakaliki Central Business District is that, no one is sure that the project will ever be completed! For perspective, the decapitation of Ogoja road has also decapitated business activities within the Abakaliki metropolis because that town has now become disjointed in a way that business operations in the town can no longer be smoothly done. Water Works, Mile 50, Nkaliki/Afikpo Road etc are now effectively disconnected from one another- a minus for Abakaliki metropolis.
Like Vanco Junction, the Ogbaga-Nwofe-Randa Road project, one of the earliest road projects embarked upon by the administration of Governor Nwifuru has remained uncompleted for three years after it was started. The road suffered serious technical failures few months into its construction as the so-called concrete road became a source of cement dust and wire-mesh traps then. It was later pained with a thin layer asphalt, but even now, the road is one of the most dangerous roads in Nigeria today as there is no shoulders despite the fact that it’s a busy road for heavy haulage trucks.
Environment
This writer and several others have raised the alarm several times in the past about the state of sanitation in Ebonyi State. Abakaliki as one of the beneficiaries of the NEWMAP canal channelisation project saw the proper construction of the iyiudele and Azuiyioku canals that ring the capital city. The projects was so beautifully and professionally done that it further brought out the natural beauty of Abakaliki.
However, under Governor Nwifuru, the canals are now accidents waiting to happen as those beautiful canals have now become urban swamps, dumpsites and reptiles sanctuary.
Just like In the area of refuse management, every Abakaliki resident has now learned to live with heaps of rubbish without complaining. In fact, it is only in Abakaliki that refuse collectors pack refuse with bare hands into tippers.
Public schools
Even though Ebonyi State Government says its currently building two specialised universities, the education sector in the state is in Chaos and ultimately comatose. It is a fact that any state that builds universities without building primary and secondary schools is engaging in self-immolation. The state of primary and secondary schools in Ebonyi State are exemplified by New Layout Primary School and Nnodo High School, both in Abakaliki.
The two schools previously reputed to be some of the best in old Eastern Region are today EMPTY shells that yell and yearn for attention. From all indications the government doesn’t seem bothered about the future of the state, if not the basic education sector would have featured in its plans. If the public schools in the heart of the state capital be like New Layout Primary School and Nndo High School, one can only imagine the state of the schools in the hinterland.
Possible Way Forward
The preponderance of opinion among pundits in Ebonyi State is that “Governor Ogbonna Nwifuru means well, but his lieutenants- cabinet members and associates who he has entrusted his government departments are the ones that have failed.”
Well, if the above sentiment is true, then the ball is now in the court of the governor to do needful! Weed out non-performing officials and bring in people who are able to translate your vision into reality.
But most importantly, Ebonyi State Government can only succeed if it engages competent companies to deliver its jobs. It is note-worthy that Abia, Enugu, Imo and Anambra states also have government officials like Commissioners, SSAs, SAs etc yet all the infrastructure projects are contracted out to competent companies who deliver the jobs within clearly defined timelines. The advantage is that when any company defaults, sentiments don’t come into play, recovery clauses are immediately activated. The experience of Enugu State Government under the administration of Mr. Peter Mbah and the Sujimoto Group is a ready example.
So, Dear Governor Nwifuru, please make hay while the sun shines. Be it known to you that the individuals you are passionately “ empowering” today without commensurate service to your government will be the first set of people that will dismiss your government for lacking in impact when you leave office- YES, the time is ticking and no time lost ever gets recovered.