Enugu reassures investors, raises N3bn security trust fund

The Enugu State Government has sent a fresh message to prospective investors, assuring them that the Coal City is ready for business.

This readiness was demonstrated at the weekend when the Enugu State Security Trust Fund (ESSTF) raised N3 billion from individual and corporate donations for the safety of investments, lives and property in the State.

This, according to officials of the State Government, is part of the bid to consolidate the improved security of lives and property in the state. They explained that the donations were made both physically and online during a fundraising dinner organised by the fund at the Old Government Lodge, Enugu.

Ike Chioke, the fund’s Board of Trustees (BOT) Chairman, and group managing director of Afrinvest West Africa Limited, commended Governor Peter Mbah-led Administration for the huge impact and investments made in the area of security, especially the constitution and inauguration of the fund’s Board a year ago, stressing that security was everybody’s business.

Chioke reasoned that the only way to achieve the $30 billion GDP target set by the governor was by sustaining and consolidating the successes made in securing lives and property through contributions by citizens, corporate bodies and all levels of government.

He revealed that the target of the fund is N20 billion, noting that the population of the state is well over 5 million people. “We think that 2 million working adults in the state, assuming each person contributing N1,000 every month, that is N2 billion a month already.

“If you get N2 billion naira a month for 12 months, it means that the citizens alone can raise N24 billion. That is for individuals alone before adding the government. That tells you our capacity,” he noted.

Governor Mbah, on his part, recalled the grave security situation at the time his administration came on board, noting that there was no room for complacency despite the successes already recorded.

“Back then, criminals gleefully posted bodies of security personnel and the arms they had stolen through their brazenly regular attacks.

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“But what difference 20 months has made. Such wanton attacks have been pushed to the darkest recess of history. We have gained control of our streets. The outlaws who once held our people hostage have either been neutralized or they have fled.

“The pleasant experience arising from the improved security is widespread. The businessman who could not open his shop and incurred losses as a result has found the confidence to do so; the child, who could not go to school every Monday in the past can now confidently do so without any fear; our security men and women can now carry on their law-enforcement duties without any brazen attack,” he noted.

According to the governor, their job is not done yet, adding that it needs to be sustained.

Highlighting the massive investments of his administration in security, Mbah said there was much more to be done through concerted effort.

“We have invested substantially in securing our state, and continue to do so, because there are no half measures in the fight against insecurity. The Enugu State Command and Control Centre is a logistical novelty built via cutting-edge innovation comparable to what exists in more advanced countries of the world,” the governor said.

He recalled that it was a moment of pride for the State when it was inaugurated in January to national acclaim by the President, adding that even when no security official is in sight, their round-the-clock surveillance system that covers streets and neighbourhoods still ensures strict vigilance.

“The ultimate goal is to nip crime in the bud. Crime-fighting device is complemented by the Distress Response Squad, designed to react swiftly to any security breach or threat of it. It is further boosted by a large fleet of 150 security vehicles embedded with AI-enhanced cameras deployed across the state,” the governor noted.