During President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to Enugu State, there was a warm reception from the state government, with Governor Peter Mbah hosting the President to commission several projects. However, an investigation by Newsmen has cast a shadow on these celebrations, revealing that many of the projects were far from completed or impressive.

Among the items presented were a re-asphalted junction and an unfinished Smart School building, both of which were showcased as key achievements. The investigation further uncovered that several patrol security vehicles, previously distributed to police and other agencies, had been recalled for display at the Government House just to enhance the optics of the President’s visit.

The only notable project was the International Conference Centre (ICC), initiated by Governor Mbah’s predecessor, Chimaroke Nnamani. Although it was nearing completion, minor work remained. Besides that, very little tangible progress could be pointed to during the visit.

A visit to the Government Technical College (GTC) in Enugu revealed even more discrepancies. The Smart Green School construction had displaced thousands of students, but only one classroom block had been completed, while the rest of the structures were still under construction. Yet, the Governor had the President commission the one block as if the entire school project was finished.

One source present at the commissioning said, “What is happening in Enugu is the more you look, the less you see. The vehicles were recalled for display, and at the GTC, only one classroom block was ready, yet it was presented as a completed project.

Governor Mbah has promised ambitious plans for education, with a budget appropriation of N100 billion for the construction of 200 integrated Smart Schools across the state. Additionally, N146 billion was earmarked for equipping these schools, and N10.7 billion allocated for upgrading public secondary schools. However, the reality on the ground seems far from matching these lofty promises.

Chief Raymond Nnaji, former National Auditor of the PDP, lamented the situation, criticizing the media for failing to hold the government accountable. He remarked, “It’s like the press in Enugu is docile, bought over by the government. They fail to report on governance as it truly is. It’s dangerous for democracy when the press amplifies anything the government does, no matter how insignificant.”

While the government claims that the uncompleted GTC Smart Green School was meant to be symbolic, and the resurfaced Bisala-New Heaven roads junction was just one part of a larger urban road project, critics remain unconvinced. The optics of the President’s visit to Enugu appear to mask the deeper issues facing the state’s developmental progress.