The Enugu State Government has launched a 25-year development plan aimed at ensuring that the state's ongoing transformation outlives individual administrations. Governor Peter Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, declared that the government's focus is shifting from simply delivering projects to building strong institutions and achieving lasting improvements in the lives of citizens. This plan aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure investments produce measurable and enduring impact.
The development plan prioritizes investments in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, roads, agriculture, water, technology, and security. Mbah emphasized that projects are not ends in themselves but part of a broader strategy to build systems capable of sustaining development over the long term. The plan aims to provide continuity, guide long-term investments, strengthen institutions, expand economic opportunities, improve human capital, and promote inclusive development across the state.
The state's commitment to the SDGs is reflected in development interventions across the 260 electoral wards, particularly through the Smart Green Schools and Primary Healthcare Centres. Mbah assured that the government would continue to strengthen institutions, improve service delivery, and put in place mechanisms to sustain development gains. The government has also reported significant progress, including over 1,500 kilometers of roads constructed or reconstructed and over 7,000 classrooms and 260 Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres.
Onyinye Akubuilo-Okpalanma, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, emphasized that the state's transformation must remain people-centered, inclusive, and sustainable. She called for stronger community participation, continuous monitoring, reliable data, and greater transparency in public finance and project implementation. Akubuilo-Okpalanma also urged greater attention to vulnerable groups and sustained investment in education, primary healthcare, and environmental protection.
Frank Nweke Jnr., former Minister of Information, commended the scale and pace of public investment in the state over the past three years. He stressed that improved domestic revenue mobilization is essential to sustaining ambitious development, noting that financial capacity is critical to long-term transformation. Nweke identified five priorities for sustaining Enugu's development, including linking investments to clearly defined problems and measurable outcomes.
The event, which brought together government officials, development partners, and stakeholders, aimed to sustain development gains and emphasize the importance of continuity, institutional memory, and long-term planning. Participants commended the state's development efforts and emphasized the need for inclusive, accountable, and sustainable development that would benefit present and future generations.
The Enugu State Global Goals Week Symposium, with the theme "From Projects to Lasting Impact: Sustaining Enugu State's Development Transformation," highlights the government's commitment to achieving lasting development. Key stakeholders, including UNICEF and traditional institutions, emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to sustain development gains and ensure a lasting impact in the state.
Key points
- Enugu State Government launches 25-year development plan to ensure lasting impact and transformation.
- The plan prioritizes investments in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and roads.
- Improved domestic revenue mobilization is essential to sustaining ambitious development in the state.
