Politics
Former Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime says he dedicated the book on his eight year stewardship to his predecessor, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani for giving him the opportunity to serve.
Chime told newsmen in Enugu on Wednesday during a pre-book launch briefing that Nnamani was the one who made it possible for him to serve the state as the governor.
“I would not have had the opportunity to serve if he did not bring me into his government.”
He made it clear that he did not fall out with the former governor as insinuated in some quarters rather Nnamani decided to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined another one.
“He saw way back what I saw in 2015 and left the party. So, I have no issues with him,” he said.
Chime said that the book entitled `An Honour to Serve: Enugu State in the Sullivan Years’, would be unveiled on Friday, Nov. 23 by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
The former governor explained that the book was all about his experiences from inception to the handing over.
According to him, it is a report of my stewardship to the electorate, whom he described, as his employers.
“The book is an account of my stewardship for eight years to my employers.
“It is a compendium of what we did in the governance of Enugu,” he said, adding that as compendium, it was not possible to cover all aspects.
“It is not possible to cover all we did in eight years. It is only a summary of what we did in Enugu State.”
He said that when he assumed office, “we promised a four-point agenda and we kept all the promises”.
Chime pointed out that the greatest challenge when he assumed office in the state was insecurity, adding that people were then scared to come to the old regional capital.
“We tackled the situation and today Enugu is one of the safest states in the country,” the former governor said.
He cleared the rumour of strained relationship with incumbent governor, Mr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, saying that he did not have issues with him.
On why he did not complete some abandoned projects by his predecessor, Chime said that he did not believe in personalising projects.
“You do not personalise projects. You come into government and look for projects that will benefit the people.
“I developed Park Lane Hospital and ESUT which Nnamani started. We improved on it. Also Loma Linda or Maryland Estate which he did not complete, I concluded the project and made it viable.
“Once you do not personalize projects, you won’t have issues as a leader.
“You see, there is a difference between politics and governance. After politics, you engage people who can help you deliver or govern,” he said.
Chime explained that he could not complete the International Conference Centre (ICC) because he could not get the design to complete it.
“I could not get a copy of the design from the contractor. There is no record in the Ministry of Works or any related government office about the project. The contractor disappeared with it,”.
The former governor said his greatest regret was that he did not have enough money to develop the state the way he wanted. (NAN)
Tags: Why I dedicated my book to my predecessor- Ex Gov Sullivan Chime
