Ray Kene Ogbodo, an African Action Congress (AAC) candidate for governor of Enugu State in 2023, has voiced his alarm over what he described as the increasing misery endured by the people of Enugu State.
When asked about the troubling trend of deteriorating suffering and rising poverty following Governor Peter Mbah’s 32 months in power, Ogbodo expressed his concerns in a statement he made accessible to journalists over the weekend, despite increased revenue.
Ogbodo made it clear in a statement written by his media aide, Mr. Azubuike Akam, that he would not remain silent any longer after 32 months of the Mbah administration.
Being a stakeholder, a previous gubernatorial candidate, and a citizen driven by conscience and reality, he felt obligated to speak out, in addition to his role as a political opponent.
It would be unjust, according to Ogbodo, “not to recognise the Governor’s ambition and vision, but that vision isn’t governance on its own.”
He noted that Mbah entered office with self-assurance, a clear vision, and a strong stance on the economy, and that since then, Mbah’s government has presented itself as data-driven, reform-driven, and hell-bent on repositioning Enugu’s economy.
Budgets have grown, federal allocations have increased, and numbers for internally generated revenue have been widely praised,” Ogbodo said, referring to the past 32 months. Although these appear to be indications of severity and magnitude on paper, the reality is quite different.
It’s been 32 months, and the truth is still plainly visible in Enugu neighbourhoods. People in Enugu are still hurting, and many are far worse off, despite massive government handouts and celebrated increases in internal revenue receipts.
Basic needs are out of reach for many families. Due to economic hardship and various taxes, small companies and traders are going bankrupt.
“The youth unemployment rate is still alarmingly high. It can feel like you’re not being heard or seen in remote areas. There has been a normalisation of feelings of hunger, frustration, and despair.
Even if tax revenues are on the rise, people’s poverty levels are continuing to decline. This cannot be explained away by any statistical celebration.
The goal of any economic policy should be to empower people, not to extract from them. Taxing already-stricken citizens into submission is not a sustainable way to grow an economy. First, economic policy should prioritise empowering production, not extracting.
He continued by urging the government to stop being so focused on tax income and start protecting its citizens, particularly the impoverished and the middle class that is in danger.
The informal sector and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Enugu are vital to the state’s economy and should be encouraged rather than penalised.
Not simply capital-intensive projects that don’t lead to livelihoods, but focus on job creation and income security as a whole.
For people to have faith in government once more, there must be more openness and accountability.
“Lead with compassion, not merely efficiency. He emphasised that policies have to be shaped by the experiences and hopes of actual individuals.
The administration has recently announced measures to streamline land-related costs and immediately abolish illegitimate levies as part of its larger goal for economic development.
There has been a simplification and reduction of almost 60% in all property-related expenses, including ground rent and land usage tax.