The Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has thrown its weight behind Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State amid the controversy surrounding the N170 billion loan approved by the State House of Assembly.
The loan has generated reactions, with some civil society organisations, describing it as deeply alarming.
In a statement issued by the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, he said the Mbah-led government should be given the benefit of the doubt.
Okwu, in the statement made available to journalists on Friday, said the important thing was to monitor the usage of the loan.
He said from the array of projects flagged-off by the Governor, “there is clarity of purpose on the loan as approved by the State House of Assembly.
“We also took notice of the fact that the Enugu State House of Assembly dominated by the Labour Party approved the loan after due consideration of the Governor’s roadmap for the development of the State.
For the governor to flag-off a 17km dual carriageway and feeder roads, 40km Owo-Ubahu-Amankanu-Neke-Ikem dual carriageway, and the construction/reconstruction of 71 urban roads in Enugu capital city, all at once, shows that he means business.
“This leaves us with no doubt that he means well for the State; what we expect critics and the opposition to do is to monitor the usage of these funds and not to stifle development.”
The Igbo group commended Governor Mbah for the New Enugu Project, describing it as a curtain raiser.
“We are glad that Governor Peter Mbah is raising the bar of governance in Enugu State; he has started matching his words with action.
“Enugu people should give him their support and see how these lofty projects come to reality within the next few months.
“We have also taken note that security has greatly improved in the Coal City State,” Okwu further stated.