The Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Enugu State in 2023, Dr. Peter Mba says that Peace and Security will be top on his administration’s agenda if elected.
He said this on Thursday in Enugu during a World Press Conference to officially unveil his campaign manifesto tagged “statement of purpose” in Enugu, the state capital.
He also promised to grow the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the state in the next eight years from the current level of $4.4 billion in 2022 to $30 billion by 2031.
Mba said this would be achieved through a three-pronged intervention, which includes; an integrated programme to accelerate youth employment for all Enugu State citizens.
“Integrated rural development programmes; and Community Policing inclusion of all citizens in the governance of Enugu State,” he said.
According to him, research has shown that youth unemployment and poverty are the root causes of insecurity in our communities.
Mba said that the best way to achieve peace and security in any society is to address the root cause of fragility and insecurity in communities.
“Creating opportunities for productive employment for youths and women, lifting people out of extreme poverty, and building prosperous societies.
“Peace, progress, and sustainable prosperity are inextricably linked and without sustainable peace, there can be no sustainable development,” he said.
The governorship candidate further said his government would come up with urgent programmes to turn the youths of Enugu State into productive assets for economic growth.
“Through integrated rural development programmes (roads, water and sanitation, IT infrastructure, agro-allied industrialization, and renewable energy), we will transform our villages and rural communities.
“We will engage and educate citizens and work with Traditional and Community Leaders to restore peace and Security in our communities,” he said.
He enjoined the people of Enugu State to give him the opportunity in 2023, to turn things around in the state.
Speaking, Mr Sam Udekwe, Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Enugu State Council, thanked Mba for recognising NUJ by coming to the press center for the conference.
Udekwe used the opportunity to commend the outgoing Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for rehabilitating the press center.
He requested the PDP candidate to emulate Ugwuanyi’s friendship with the media in the state if he wins the 2023 election.