Muslim-Muslim APC ticket does not reflect Nigeria's diversity – Nweke

Former Minister of Information and Communications, Frank Nweke Jr, who is now the All Progressives Grand Alliance Gubernatorial Candidate in Enugu State, Frank Nweke Jr, tells ENIOLA AKINKUOTU < em>about his ambition and other hot topics

You have recently emerged as the candidate for Governor of the All Progressives Grand Alliance in Enugu State. What should the citizens of the state expect if you are elected?

One ​​thing I can assure the people of Enugu State when I become governor is that I will lead from the front. The success of nations, states, communities, businesses and even families largely depends on the quality of leadership. So, I'm going to lead from the front. Secondly, I will restore the credibility of the office of the Governor of Enugu State. It is common knowledge in all classes that the rulers of Enugu State cannot be trusted with anything. It doesn't matter who is treated. I will lead with integrity. Citizens should also expect governance institutions to be resurrected. Government processes will be standardized. Currently, departments and commissioners only exist in name. You have a situation where everything revolves around an individual. Government must be run efficiently.

In order to achieve this, you must first appoint thoroughbred professionals who have the skills, knowledge and discipline to provide services to people. State budgets will not exist merely for the record and will not be implemented by cronies outside of normal government channels. The most basic needs of human existence continue to elude my people in Enugu State due to sheer incompetence. It is also my intention to keep things simple. Let us first deal with these fundamental questions and what are they? After 100 years of existence as a city, water is still a serious problem in Enugu. The last time I saw water in my house was seven years ago and yet I get water bills that don't exist. I will solve this water crisis once and for all.

IT infrastructure in Enugu is also a big problem not because people are not interested in making investments but people no longer find the state attractive because of corruption and lack of an enabling environment and lack of cooperation from the government. With the predominantly young population that we have, I believe that partnering with national and global companies to invest in information, communication and technology infrastructure will help transform the economy into a competitive economy at the global level. scale that will create jobs for our youth and Enugu can become one of the smartest cities in Nigeria. We can bring America, Europe and others to Enugu by simply making the right investments in the technological infrastructure that will be supported by our young population.

I say unequivocally that my beloved Enugu, the capital of the defunct Eastern Region does not work. The infrastructure needed to meet the most basic needs of human existence in a modern state is lacking, let alone the more modern infrastructure needed to drive a knowledge-based economy.

Enugu state will be cleaned. We were one of the cleanest cities in Nigeria. The only competition we had was Cross River. Today, Enugu has become a shadow of itself. This is unacceptable. This is not conducive to human existence and has serious implications for public health. Insecurity is a major problem. The federal government is guiltier in this regard, but I think the state government can do more to improve the situation.

Unemployment is very high among young people. This is unacceptable because these young people are our most important resource as a state. I have friends and many others who have graduated children who have been unemployed for more than 10 years. I think it doesn't have to be, because once you create the right environment, businesses will come. Businesses are better positioned to create jobs and sustainable livelihoods, but in the past seven years, I am not aware of the current administration attracting new investment to this state.

My team and I will therefore work very hard to create an environment that will enable sustainable growth for existing businesses, aggressively market Enugu locally and internationally, and encourage potential investors to come to Enugu as a business destination. investment of choice.

Many states have revenue issues because grant funds are deducted from the Federation account. How do you plan to restore state revenues since Enugu is not an oil producing state?

Enugu State is endowed with oil and gas and other resources, but there is still...