Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, on Friday, inaugurated and handed over the newly renovated Enugu State Office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), burnt by unknown gunmen some months ago.
After the unfortunate attack on INEC’s office in Enugu, Ugwuanyi inspected the facility and promised that his administration will rebuild the burnt structure to enable the electoral body continue to discharge its constitutional duties efficiently and effectively in the state.
Handing over the structure to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Enugu State, Dr. Emeka Joseph Ononamadu, Gov. Ugwuanyi, represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Hon. Mrs. Mabel Agbo, disclosed that the state government in spite of its dwindling resources went ahead to fulfill the promise to contribute to the strengthening of the electoral process as well as encourage continuous improvement of the conduct of elections in the country.
The governor stated that a critical review of the general performance of INEC in Enugu State in particular and Nigeria in general shows that the electoral body has succeeded in introducing processes that have helped in entrenching and deepening the nation’s democratic experience.
Gov. Ugwuanyi reiterated his administration’s commitment and interest in ensuring that there is no hindrance towards continuous improvement in the electoral process, stressing that it was in keeping with this commitment that the state government went out of its way to renovate the INEC office within the short period it was burnt.
Appreciating the good work the INEC REC is doing in the state, Gov. Ugwuanyi pledged his administration’s continuous support to the Commission in all areas, within the limited resources available to the state.
Responding, INEC REC in Enugu State, Dr. Ononamadu, commended Gov. Ugwuanyi for coming to their rescue by renovating their burnt office.
Dr. Ononamadu expressed delight that the structure has been renovated to standard courtesy of the Enugu State government, saying: “We sincerely appreciate this noble gesture by Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration”.