Follow Us on Google
From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
The Ebonyi State Council of Elders has expressed satisfaction with the quality, scale, and level of completion of key infrastructural projects being executed by the administration of Governor Francis Nwifuru across the state.
The Chairman of the Council, Chief Ben Okah, gave the commendation during a routine inspection tour of major government projects undertaken to assess the pace, quality, and compliance of ongoing works.
Projects inspected included the ultra-modern VANCO Flyover and Tunnel in Abakaliki, the Nwezenyi Flyover, along the Trans-Saharan Way in Izzi Local Government Area, the Aeronautics and Aerospace Engineering University at Onueke, the Senator Chris Nwankwo Housing Estate at Chiboy Nkwegu, and the Ebonyi International Trade Centre at Presco Junction, Abakaliki.
Addressing journalists after the inspection, Okah described Governor Nwifuru as a visionary leader committed to transforming Ebonyi State through strategic infrastructure emphasising that the projects were massive, impressive and economically significant, noted that they would enhance the state’s development and improve the living standards of its people.
While commending the administration’s developmental strides, the Council Chairman urged contractors handling the various projects to strictly adhere to approved engineering specifications and contractual timelines to ensure timely delivery and durability.
Chief Okah also appealed to the people of Ebonyi State to continue supporting and trusting the present administration, stressing that Governor Nwifuru has consistently demonstrated a genuine commitment to sustainable development and the overall welfare of the people.
Conducting members of the Council round the project sites, the Commissioner for Works, Lebechi Mbam, alongside the Commissioner for Infrastructure and Concession, Ogbonnaya Abara, outlined the level of completion and economic significance of each project.
They said the infrastructure would stimulate economic growth, improve transportation, enhance the aesthetic outlook of the state, and boost Ebonyi’s investment potential.
Responding to concerns in some quarters over the alleged slow pace of work, particularly on the VANCO Flyover and Tunnel project, Mbam dismissed the claims, insisting that the construction was progressing in line with approved engineering specifications and due process.
He urged residents to remain patient and confident in the administration, assuring that upon completion, the VANCO Flyover and Tunnel would not only become a major tourist attraction but, also, rank among the best infrastructure of its kind in the South East.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Project Monitoring, Chief Sunday Inyima, disclosed that many of the projects were awarded to indigenous contractors in line with the government’s policy of empowering local businesses and promoting economic inclusion. He charged the contractors to justify the confidence reposed in them by delivering quality projects within the stipulated completion period.
Members of the Ebonyi State Council of Elders who participated in the inspection tour commended the state government’s commitment to infrastructure development and expressed optimism that the projects would significantly contribute to the socio-economic advancement of Ebonyi State. The inspection exercise is expected to continue as part of ongoing efforts by the Council to monitor the execution of critical government projects across the state.
