A SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY. SULLIVAN IHEANACHO CHIME, GOVERNOR OF ENUGU STATE ON THE OCCASION OF THE 1ST NATIONAL COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENT,  HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN ENUGU ON FRIDAY,  NOVEMBER 23, 2007.

PROTOCOL

I feel extremely delighted to be invited to address you on this very important occasion of the 1st National Council on Environment, Housing and Urban Development. I am even more excited that Enugu State was selected as the host of this maiden conference.

As we all know, the attainment of qualitative and affordable housing programmes and healthy environment is one challenge which every well-meaning and serious-minded government must face with utmost dedication.

We have not come here to rake up old wounds, but we must not forget those environmental sore points that left certain parts of the country wallowing in deprivation and despair and which also threatened the peace and security in the affected areas. But I am not under any illusion that virtually all the states of Nigeria have one distinct environmental and housing problem to contend with or the other.

From drought to flood, pollution, desertification, gas flaring and erosion among others, all the geo-political zones have had their own fair share of these natural disasters. From one state to the other, the menace of industrial pollution continues to steadily stare us in our faces. The man-made environmental hazards can hardly be excused. These days, abandoned vehicles and sundry scraps litter our highways and streets as though it has become the accepted practice.

Indeed, the challenges are enormous but we must remain steadfast. We must, at all times, remain resolute as we confront these serious ecological problems head-on until we can achieve environmental and housing sustainability as a nation.

Thus, this session has come at the most auspicious time for us to come together as a nation to brainstorm on our respective environmental hard times and to collectively seek the way forward.

For us in Enugu, we shall remain faithful to our pledge to radically transform our State in all spheres and to specifically offer them decent housing and clean environment. Our commitment to both rural and urban renewal is total, just as our war against filth will not be compromised in any measure. Similarly, our urban beautification programme and road reconstruction projects are proceeding at very encouraging pace.

Permit me, please, to inform this distinguished audience that over 800 roads or streets are targeted for resurfacing in the rehabilitation exercise that had since commenced in various parts of the State. We have an ambitious dream to deliver over 100,000 housing units in the next four years. Work had actually started at some of the designated sites. The on-going beautification project is aimed at reclaiming the original master plan of Enugu.

To rid our cities of filth and correspondingly guarantee our people clean and fresh environment, our Government recently imported 15 Compaction trucks and one thousand dumpsites. We shall soon take possession.

We have not come here to blow our own trumpets but to say to you that if Enugu State, with the modest allocation we get from the centre can embark on and prosecute these projects, other states are as equipped to tread the same path. And with senior functionaries of your calibre from the various States of the Federation gathered here today, I have no doubt in my mind that the dream is achievable once you go back to apply your hearts and hands to the jobs ahead or at hand.

But we must accept that no Government alone can shoulder the responsibilities of managing our environment without partnering with the private sector. I urge you to recognise the urgent need to develop an implementable document which will ensure sustainable solution to solid waste management in the States.

The time has come for us to turn our Waste to Wealth and to enforce housing and environmental laws for the needed renewal of our rural and urban areas.

While thanking all of you for choosing Enugu to host this historic conference, may I, on behalf of the government and people of Enugu State, specially welcome the Honourable Minister of Environment, Housing and Urban Development, Arc. (Mrs.) Halima Tayo Alao and other senior Government officials to our Coal City State.

At this juncture, may I invite our guests to enjoy the incomparable hospitality of our people as I wish you very fruitful deliberations. It is, therefore, my honour to declare this conference open.

Thank you and God bless.