Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, says his administration is intentionally transforming Enugu into a modern, competitive, and crime-free state built on security, productivity, transparency, and a renewed partnership with the Church.

The governor made this known on Monday while delivering the keynote address at the Fourth Enugu Diocesan Synod of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, held at the Holy Ghost Cathedral. The Synod, themed “Promoting a Productive Economy in Enugu State,” drew eminent clerics including the Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga; Auxiliary Bishop, Most Rev. Ernest Obodo; His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan; Archbishop Anthony J.V. Obinna; priests, religious, laity, and other dignitaries.

Governor Mbah said he did not come to the Synod as a political office holder but as “a son of the Catholic Church,” shaped by its values of discipline, compassion, and moral responsibility. He emphasized that leadership is fundamentally stewardship, noting the shared mission of both government and the Church in building a just, humane, and thriving society.

Reflecting on his administration’s journey as it approaches its third anniversary, Mbah said the central question for him remains whether government has lived up to the trust reposed in it through the Citizens’ Charter of accountability, transparency, and measurable progress.

“Two years down the line, the direction is clear. We pledged to build a productive economy, and we have stayed faithful to that covenant,” he declared.

450% IGR Growth, Asset Revival, and Economic Expansion

Highlighting key achievements, Mbah revealed that Enugu’s internally generated revenue has grown by over 450 percent within two years—not through additional taxation, but by blocking leakages and reviving dormant state-owned enterprises such as Sunrise Flour Mills, United Palm Products, Nigergas, and Hotel Presidential.

He said these resuscitated assets, alongside new businesses, are now boosting job creation and expanding the state’s economic base. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to raising the state’s GDP from $4.4 billion to $30 billion and positioning Enugu among Nigeria’s top three economies.

Security Turnaround and Technological Surveillance

Describing security as the foundation of a productive economy, Mbah noted that the state has delivered “one of the most dramatic security transformations in the region.” He said the illegal sit-at-home order had been dismantled, while advanced surveillance technology deployed through the Command and Control Centre has reduced violent crime by more than 80 percent.

“Today, Mondays are fully active; investors are returning; and our streets are safer,” he added.

Infrastructure, Transport, Housing, and Smart City Agenda

The governor outlined massive infrastructural upgrades, including the construction of more than 1,300 kilometres of roads, the deployment of 200 CNG-powered buses with digital ticketing, and the establishment of five modern transport terminals.

He also referenced the Enugu Air project, which commenced operations in mid-2025, and an ambitious housing initiative expected to deliver 15,000 units next year. The ongoing Smart City development, fibre-optic rollout, and clean energy systems, he stressed, are positioning the state for global competitiveness.

Agriculture and Human Capital Development

Mbah said the creation of a 300,000-hectare agricultural land bank and farm estates across all 260 wards is shifting the sector from subsistence to commercial-scale agribusiness.

He added that investments in education—such as the 260 Smart Green Schools—and sweeping healthcare reforms have placed Enugu ahead nationally in human capital development, reducing maternal and under-five mortality by more than 80 percent.

Church as a Critical Partner

The governor acknowledged the Catholic Church as a key partner in education, healthcare, moral formation, and youth development, calling for deeper collaboration in the pursuit of a productive society.

“We are weaving a deliberate tapestry—security, education, roads, healthcare, agriculture—around one priority: the people of Enugu,” he said.

Mbah concluded with a message of hope and collective responsibility: “We are rebuilding Enugu together. And with God’s grace, we will leave behind a legacy of peace, productivity, and shared prosperity.”