FG moves to revive Enugu coal mines as minister embarks on fact-finding mission

Ayogu Eze Extols Gov. Ugwuanyi’s Leadership Qualities
The Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, has disclosed the readiness of the Federal Government to revive the coal mines in Enugu State to contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the country.

Addressing newsmen after a meeting with Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi at the Government House, Enugu, yesterday, Dr. Ogah, who came with a delegation from the Ministry, said they are in Enugu on a fact-finding mission with regard to “what is already on ground, what the federal government has done and what we can do to revive the coal mines in Enugu State so that they can help grow the economy and generate jobs.”

The minister disclosed that the step was in line with the vision of the President Muhammadu Buhari to pull “over one million people out of poverty”, stressing, “we believe that mining sector is one of the key areas that can be used to do that.”

Commending Gov. Ugwuanyi for his administration steadfastness and collaboration with the Federal Government towards the resuscitation of coal mines in the state, Dr. Ogah pointed out that “Enugu State stands in a right pedestal to be one of the key states that will be used for this purpose. We thank God for the partnership we are having today with the state government to curb illegal mining and other factors hindering progress. The governor has promised there will be stronger collaboration between the state and the federal government to see how illegal mining will be curbed in the state.”

Meanwhile, Senator Ayogu Eze of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the leadership qualities of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as exceptional.

Senator Eze, who contested the last governorship election, said that Gov. Ugwuanyi’s humility and ability to reach to the opposition to make peace at all cost has rekindled the long standing relationship between him and the governor.

Speaking at the funeral service for his father-in-law, late Pastor Cyril Odoh Ugwuoke, held at Ogrute, Enugu Ezike, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, which was attended by Gov. Ugwuanyi and other dignitaries, Senator Eze pointed out that the governor’s presence at the event and his continued show of solidarity and support were uncommon in the political annals of the country.

He disclosed that the governor has made efforts, since after the elections, to ensure that the prior relationship that had existed between both of them before the electoral contest was maintained and stressed that his presence at the event has proved that in so many ways.

Senator Eze, therefore, declared that the relationship between him and Gov. Ugwuanyi “has resumed.”

His words: “The day Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi came to see me, tears came to my eyes. I told him there that his humility and ability to reach out to make peace at all cost is exceptional. I told him, ‘you are much better in reaching out and building networks.”

Senator Eze, who asked those he offended in the course of the electoral exercise to forgive him, advised his supporters to close ranks and support Gov. Ugwuanyi and his administration, saying, “He (Ugwuanyi) has won the election; he is our governor, our friendship continues as family members despite fact that I belong to the APC.”