Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State on Friday inaugurated the renovated office of the Independent National Electoral Commission burnt by unknown persons last June in the state.
Yet-to-be-apprehended persons had attacked the INEC Headquarters in the state and destroyed some facilities.
In a message to the event, the Governor, represented by Mabel Agbo, the state Commissioner for Special Duties and Sustainable Development Goals, pledged the government’s continued support to the commission.
Ugwuanyi said the state government would always come to the aid of the commission for the good work it did in the country and the state in particular.
He said: “You will recall that the INEC office was burnt by unknown gunmen this year and the state government promised to rebuild the burnt office.
“Today, we are here to witness the actualisation of that promise.”
In his response, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Enugu State, Dr. Emeka Ononamadu, expressed delight over the government’s gesture.
Ononamadu said: “It was few days ago that I accessed and worked from my office after six months that we had part of the office destroyed by invaders.
“Today, the building is fully renovated, courtesy of the Enugu State Government, and I wish to appreciate the gesture and noble effort.
“Let me say clearly, democracy all over the world is a multi-stakeholders business and indeed the responsibility of the stakeholders to protect and empower development.
“In protecting democracy, one of the critical institutions we need is INEC and facilities to enable the commission to conduct credible election.
“When the facilities are dilapidated or destroyed, the capacity reduces.
“Today, we are brought back to the original capacity to still do what we know how to do best and that is conducting credible election.”
Ononamadu thanked the state government and the good people of the state for coming to its rescue.