The new Governor of Enugu State, Mr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has warned the citizens and corporate entities against tax evasion, saying the act will no longer be tolerated.

In his inaugural speech in Enugu on Friday, Ugwuanyi said that tax defaulters would not be counted as partners in the development of the state.

The governor assured the people that every money paid as tax to the government would be used transparently to add value to the state.

He said the government would drive with full force investment promotion, agricultural sector renewal, provision of critical infrastructure, human capital development and skills acquisition.

“We will deploy government services to create fair and equal opportunity for every willing citizen to make a living and create wealth, educate our children and enjoy life in a peaceful and secure environment.

“Enugu State under us will pay special attention to rural development because majority of our people live in the rural areas.

“We will equip and modernise Nsukka, a university town, to compete with other university towns in attracting technology and knowledge-based businesses.

“It is important to know that the times we are in require some patience. With patience, faith and your full involvement in governance, we will surely get there,” he said.

In his farewell speech, former Governor Sullivan Chime thanked the people of the state for their support and cooperation throughout his tenure.

Chime said his administration was able to achieve giant strides as a result of commitment.

“As I am thanking you, I make this prayer to say that politics is over. We have gone beyond party and we have come to governance. We must live to be good citizens and ambassadors of the state. Whoever you may be, do not deliberately go against the laws,” he said.

In an interview, a classmate of the new governor at the Saint Theresa’s College, Nsukka (Class of 1980), Mr Cyprian Okoro, appealed to the governor to keep his campaign promises to the people.

He called for increased wages for civil servants in the state to ensure improved standard of living.

Also in an interview, the Woman Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Mrs Oby Nwafor, called for the inclusion of more women in the Ugwuanyi administration.

The governor and his deputy, Mrs Cecilia Ezeilo, were sworn in by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Innocent Umezulike. (NAN)

•Photo shows Governor Ugwuanyi.

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