HURIWA denounces the approval of Mbah's request for a N170 billion loan.

The approval of a N170 billion loan request by Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has been met with criticism from the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA). HURIWA argues that the expeditious passage of this request through the state House of Assembly raises significant concerns, as it appears to infringe upon the rights of citizens to transparent governance and fiscal responsibility.

The alarm was stated by the group, led by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, regarding the unanimous ratification of Mbah's significant loan request by the state Assembly.

According to HRIWA, the aforementioned request comprises a substantial amount of N100 billion in bank guarantees, N10 billion in term loans, N10 billion in overdraft facilities, and N50 billion in credit facilities. The examination of these immense entities necessitates thorough investigation, and the lack of openness on this determination is profoundly disconcerting.

The lack of transparency regarding the details of this loan and its potential benefits for the people of Enugu State is evident. The lack of transparency surrounding this choice raises significant inquiries regarding the true beneficiaries of these payments.

The rights organization has thus urged Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), citizens of Enugu State, and opposition political leaders, including senators and House of Representatives members, to get together and form a coalition with the aim of ensuring the appropriate allocation of this significant amount.

Nevertheless, the Save Enugu Group (SEG), a prominent socio-political pressure group, has strongly criticized the state branch of the Labour Party (LP) and the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) for their objections to Mba's proposed N170 billion loan application.

According to a statement issued by the Publicity Secretary, Pascal Okolo, the group asserts that as long as a loan is not intended for immediate consumption, it is deemed acceptable.

When addressing the issue of LP in the state, the group observed that the party undermined its own credibility by asserting that the loan's objective was not clearly defined, but rather focused at self-enrichment and fulfilling personal desires.

HURIWA, in its pursuit, appears to be primarily motivated by the need for publicity, since its concerns are centered around the expeditious acceptance of the loan. The organization asserts that the populace of Enugu State lacks clarity regarding the loan's particulars and its potential benefits for the state's improvement.