Residents of Enugu State have criticised Governor Peter Mbah’s administration for claiming to have bought and donated 30 school buses to various Science, Technical, and Vocational Schools in the state.
According to sources, the buses were actually bought and shared to the schools during the Sullivan Chime administration, but they were collected by the Mbah administration due to mechanical issues.
The buses were reportedly refurbished and returned to their original owners, but the government is now taking credit for the donation.
A media statement by the office of the governor quoted Mbah as saying that the gesture reflected his administration’s commitment to prioritising education and ensuring the welfare of both staff and students throughout the state.
However, residents who took to social media platforms are calling out the government for its deceitful claim.
“The report is pure deceit because these are buses bought and shared to schools during the Sullivan Chime administration. The incumbent government recovered, refurbished and returned them to their original owners. So it is not an issue of ‘donation’,” one resident wrote on Enugu WhatsApp platform.
Another resident slammed the governor, saying, “He is using everything to attract media publicity. Peter Mbah hasn’t brought a single school bus to school since he assumed office. He couldn’t fix dilapidated schools across the state let alone buying buses for same schools.”
@StDon1s wrote on his X while responding to the report the special Assistant to the governor on main Stream media, Dan Nwome shared on his platform.
“These are refurbished buses bought by Sullivan Chime administration. Stop deceiving people. He didn’t buy any new bus.”
@Izuchuk35435529 wrote: “The busses looks new but with old plate number, just zoom and tell us what you see.
What did it mean?”
@udinwenyi wrote: “Why do you have to call this new cars? While it was actually the old ones that Suilvan bought that you guys took 5 months ago to rebrand it and then give it back to the schools, please don’t mislead us with false information.”
@Ogalanya349792 wrote: “These are refurbished vehicles Naa
@PNMbah and his government can do more than this with billions of Naira Enugu is generating on a daily basis.”
@Naijacrypo wrote: “How can you present vehicle to principal living in 150k salary in this present Nigeria. If you are serious about better and quality education first take care of the educators.”
@Goddyofmosthigh wrote: “New buses with old number plates? Just zoom and see.”
Meanwhile SaharaReporters’ efforts to speak with the governor’s media office were unsuccessful as requested made to the media office for clarification on its claim weren’t responded to.
The residents’ reaction highlights the growing discontent with Governor Mbah’s administration over its handling of education and transparency in governance.