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Beautification Of Enugu And Mechanization Of Median Strips/Road Verge Maintenance

Published

5 years ago

October 7, 2020

By Jeff Ejiofor

The saying that cleanliness is the next to godliness perfectly fits into the situation in Enugu State where a mechanized approach has been employed by the state government in maintaining median strips, road sidewalks, and central reservations across the state. Residents of the coal city will not forget in a hurry the manual method of median strips and road verge maintenance before 2015 when Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi took over the reign of leadership. In line with its technological approach to issues, the administration adopted a mechanized system of maintenance which has clearly given Enugu a scenic outlook befitting of a ranking state capital known for serene outlook.

Roundabouts, footways, road verges, and all other beautiful green areas in the city now wear the looks of a neat and clean environment. This is a sharp departure from their half hazard and unkempt condition in the past. A quick glance at this method where machines do the work will reveal a conspicuous difference from their previous rough looks and current carpet level. The introduction of this mechanized approach by Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi also explains his meticulous disposition to leave no stone unturned in his quest to making Enugu a modern and beautiful city.

Ironically, people tend to have a short memory in this part of the world to the extent of forgetting their previous experiences whenever succor comes their way. It is appalling that some people do not realize the tourist potentials of a serene environment and its economic benefits. Enugu is a city with natural and fascinating features, hence, the policy of economic reinvigoration through harnessing of its existing tourist potentials by the current administration. It is a well-known fact that the tourist attraction of such an organized environment cannot be overstressed.

Unarguably, in the past, precisely before 2015, the state government, through the ministry of environment engaged the services of labourers, mostly women to clear these sidewalks manually. This method often left the surfaces haggard and rough, such that it made nonsense of the beautiful looks conferred on Enugu city by those consciously designed green areas and median strips.

Apparently, areas such as New Haven, Abakiliki Road, Okpara Avenue, GRA, Okpara Square, and Independence Layout now look more dignifying with this mechanized cutting and trimming process of the sidewalks/road verges. I know some ingrates and cynics may want to question the relevance or significance of this observation, forgetting to acknowledge its immense contributions to the beauty and tourism potentials of the city as stated earlier. Nobody will deny the fact that the machines used in carrying out this duty and their professional operators provide the best result on the environment which represents Enugu’s natural serenity.

Another interesting and commendable aspect is the sustained urgency with which the government always responds each time there is a need to carry out the maintenance, unlike in the past when weeds usually overgrew the streets in utter neglect. Of course, before assembling labourers for manual approach, the places will be taken over by bushes, making Enugu lose its glamour.

In addition, the governor also recruited over one thousand youths to open up all blocked water channels in the streets of Enugu. A policy that has served dual purposes, providing employment and sanitizing the city. We all know what the situation was before and its devastating effect on the health of the residents. The problem no doubt had far-reaching implications to the wellbeing of the citizens who had to spend money on hospital bills at times as a result of sicknesses arising from a dirty environment. All that is now history because Enugu has regained its original glory as a clean and organized city.

Finally, I implore lovers of tourism all over the world to avail themselves of this opportunity presented by the beautiful serenity of Enugu and visit the state. Apart from ensuring the preservation of the city’s natural features, the state government has equally enhanced the environment by beautifying strategic locations of the city with meaningful artworks and sculptors to tell the story of the people. New recreational outlets have also been created and old ones are given a facelift. Unity Fountain Park located behind the famous Okpara Square at Independence Layout is one of such outlets that will attend to the recreational needs of Enugu residents and promote tourism in the state.

The popular 3-star hotel, Nike Lake Resort, on the outskirt of the city is receiving proactive attention to play a pivotal role in the current tourist revolution of the city. These and many other measures that guarantee adequate security of lives and property have made Enugu State a place to be. Gburugburu is a gift to the Igbo nation at large and Enugu in particular.

Enugu is obviously in the safe hands of God with Gburus at the helms

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Featured

Tax Reform Bill Passage: New Tax Laws, Better Nigeria

Published

7 hours ago

May 9, 2025

The Gleamer

By Arabinrin Aderonke

Nigeria must work; this is the vision we have held onto for so long. When the news came that the Senate had passed all four tax reform bills, it was one of those moments you stop and ask yourself, is this really happening? For years, Nigeria’s tax system has been a source of frustration, something we all got used to criticizing. Truthfully, it was not just tax. From electricity to education to healthcare, we have long complained about the failure of government systems.

On top of that, Nigeria remained tied to the unstable global oil market, leaving us with unpredictable revenue and a shrinking ability to fund our future. That is exactly why we must keep believing in the idea of a new Nigeria. And this time, it is not just another round of promises, this is action.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu understood that to truly rebuild Nigeria, we needed a tax system that would create sustainable revenue, spread the burden fairly, and give every Nigerian, rich or poor, north or south, a reason to trust government again. That is what led to the introduction of the tax reform bills in 2024. It has taken months of serious policy work, consultation, and courage. Now, with the National Assembly passing all four bills, the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, the Nigeria Tax Administration (Procedure) Bill 2024, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill 2024, and the Joint Tax Board (Establishment) Bill 2024, we are seeing decisions that could finally loosen Nigeria’s dependence on oil and give states the resources they need to grow.

One of the features is the new VAT sharing formula. Under the proposed structure, 50 percent of Value Added Tax revenue will be shared equally among all states, 20 percent will be distributed based on population, and 30 percent will be distributed according to actual consumption. It is a formula designed to balance fairness with performance, giving each state a stake while also encouraging economic activity and good governance.

The Senate also made it known that the VAT rate will remain at 7.5 percent, resisting pressure to increase it. For Nigerians, that means no new burden added to goods and services. But more importantly, the bills approved also provided for the continued funding of development agencies such as the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). These are the institutions that support learning, research, and innovation across the country, and their survival is necessary for the future of the Nigeria we all want.

Another part of the bill is the plan to turn the Federal Inland Revenue Service into the Nigeria Revenue Service (Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill). But this is not just a name change. It is a coordinated effort to build a system that supports states, strengthens local government revenue, and makes tax collection more transparent.

Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of FIRS, has led the redesign of the agency and introduced many measures aimed at improving tax collection across the country, and even these Tax Reform Bills are one. If anyone has earned respect in this space, it is him. His work shows that reforms are possible when people in charge are ready to do better.

As it stands, all four tax reform bills have been passed, and these laws are now in place. This means Nigeria has completed what many consider the most needed tax reform in years.

The process now moves to the harmonization stage, where both the Senate and House of Representatives will come together to resolve any differences in their versions of the bills. Once they reach an agreement, the bills will be sent to the President for his final approval. After the President signs them into law, they will be published in the official gazette, making them official. From there, the Federal Inland Revenue Service, which will be renamed the Nigeria Revenue Service, will take the lead in implementation. With the capable Tax Boss, Dr. Zacch, we can be sure that the results will exceed expectations.

This is the Renewed Hope Nigerians have been waiting for. The changes are here, these reforms give us the chance to do things right!

Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi is the technical assistant on broadcast media to the executive chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service

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