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• Our state now one huge construction site, residents say
From Magnus Eze, Enugu
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State seems to have a special passion for good roads, be it in the cities or rural areas. For over one week, he devoted time to the flagging-off of road construction projects as he crisscrossed the three senatorial districts performing the symbolic groundbreaking for the multiple road projects.
According to government information, the projects are in keeping with Governor Mbah’s campaign promise to grow the economy of Enugu, hitherto known as a civil service state, from $4.4bn to $30bn in four to eight years through private sector investment. He also wants to reposition the state as the preferred destination for investment, business, tourism, and for living.
On pages 27 and 28 of his manifesto, Mbah had promised to trigger a revolution in the road infrastructure, which he described as one of the key enablers of the envisioned exponential economic growth. “We will focus on dualisation and resurfacing of over 10,000 kilometres of road across the state… We will also construct bridges in both the urban and rural communities as well as flyovers to remove traffic bottlenecks,” he stated in clear terms.
Thus, in October 2023, the governor flagged-off the construction and reconstruction of 71 urban roads in Enugu metropolis as well as 10 rural roads such as the 40km virgin Owo-Ubahu-Ama Nkanu-Neke-Ikem dual carriageway. In between, the administration approved the construction of roads such as the Obinagu Road and Mike Ejeagha Street both in Abakpa Nike.
Before the Mbah administration, the state’s total budget hovered around N100bn and N120bn with capital expenditure of about N30bn or capital expenditure to budget ratio of about 25 to 35 per cent. However, in line with his promise to massively build infrastructure, de-risk investments, boost production, and run a lean and prudent government, the state is proposing an unprecedented N521.5bn 2024 budget with a capital expenditure totalling over N400bn. This is an equivalent of a national record of capital expenditure to budget ratio of about 80 per cent and 20 per cent recurrent expenditure ratio.
So, in August and ahead of the dry season, the administration approved the release of the sum of N183bn for the construction of 141 roads across Enugu metropolis and 20 rural roads in the three senatorial districts of the state.
Speaking to Government House Correspondents, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidebere Onyia, said: “Accordingly, the theme that we took away from Exco today is doubling down. The government is doubling down on infrastructure. If you recall, we started with 71 urban roads and 10 rural roads last year. Now, the governor and the Executive Council have also approved 141 urban roads and 20 rural roads. However, it is noteworthy that although the rural roads are 20 in number, compared to 141 in Enugu metropolis, they are actually more, nearly three times those approved for Enugu urban in terms of kilometres. This is part of the strategies to improve the quality of life in the rural communities and importantly to de-risk investments in agriculture.”
The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Gerald Otiji who gave a breakdown of the projects explained that the roads covered in this phase included the dualisation of the 41.3km Abakpa Nike-Opi-Nsukka Road with bridges, dualisation of Penocks Junction – Nike Lake Road to T-Junction Flyover, Nomeh-Mburubu-Nara Road with two bridges, Umabi-Ehuhe Achi with a spur to Agbudu-Ihe-Owelli-Ogugu by Enugu-Port Harcourt old road, Nomeh-Oduma Road, Mburubu-Nkereffi Road, and Amodu-Akpugo Road.
Also approved were Iheaka-Ibagwa Road, Ibagwa-Itchi-Unadu-Alor Agu-Ibeje Road, Amagunze-Ihuokpara-Ugbawka Road with a bridge, Obeleagu Umana (Nkwo Ezeagu)-Omughu Umana-Aguobu-Umumba Road, Nara-Nkerefi Road with a bridge, Amagunze-Akpawfu Raod, Amagu-Attakwu-Akegbe Ugwu-Akpasha Road, Obinagu Udi-Isu Awa Road, and Nsukka-Ibagwa-Ogurute-Ette Road.
Others include Obuofia-Obeagu-Akegbe Ugwu Road, Obinofia-Ndiagu-Ugwuoba Road by Enugu-Onitsha expressway, Orie Engine-Aguobu-Umumba-Ebenebe Road to Anambra State border, Ituku Roads, Ozalla Roads, among others.
In fact, determined to fully utilise the dry season, the governor devoted the last week of October to perform the symbolic flag-off ceremonies of all the roads, using selected roads across the three senatorial districts.
Nsukka agog for 43.7km Enugu-Opi-Nsukka Road
At Opi, the people of Enugu North Senatorial District, otherwise known as Nsukka Zone, could not contain their joy and excitement as Mbah flagged-off the dualisation of the 43.7km Penoks Junction-Abakpa Nike-Ugwogo Nike-Opi-Nsukka Road, including the elimination of the sharp bend, and installation of street light from Enugu to Nsukka to significantly reduce travel time, accidents, and criminality on the road.
He also reminded the people of the district that his administration’s grassroots-based development and economic model placed the area at an advantage.
“We are doing projects based on electoral wards. Guess who are the greatest beneficiaries of this model? It is the Nsukka zone. You have 102 electoral wards. That means you will end up with 102 smart schools, 102 Type 2 Primary Healthcare Centres, over 1,000km of roads, since we are additionally going to do at least 10km of roads per ward,” he remarked.
The highly elated traditional ruler of Edem-Ani, who is also the Chairman of Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Samuel Asadu, said: “The people of Nsukka cultural zone and Enugu North Senatorial District never imagined the possibility of this life-time project. The only way we can pay you back is that you do not need to come to campaign here for your second tenure because we are all going to do that for you. You are Godsent to the people of Nsukka, Enugu State and Nigeria at large.”
Also, Deputy Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Ezeani Ezenta, noted that the governor had shut the mouths of naysayers.
He said: “I feel emotional because a lot of things were said during the election. But today, by your good work, you have proved yourself even more Nsukka than any other Nsukka man.”
To former Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Chief Okechukwu Itanyi, said the project was “gigantic, huge, unbelievable and marvellous,” noting that “This is a legacy project. Your name will never die. Your spirit shall never die. We will continue to give you support.”
Leader of the Enugu State Caucus of the National Assembly, Nnolim Nnaji, however, underlined that the dualisaation of the road was not just for the benefit of Nsukka zone, but the entire state, South East region, and the country.
In a statement, the member representing Igboeze North/Udenu Federal Constituency on the platform of the Labour Party, Dennis Agbo, described the road as “a transformational project, which will greatly facilitate commerce, ease mass transit and evacuation of farm produce by our hardworking farmers as well as fight crime and criminality.
“Our governor has clearly demonstrated his uncanny ability to see and unleash the enormous potential of our dear state and people. It is heart-warming to note that Enugu has suddenly become a frontline state and a reference point for transformational project initiatives.”
Relief in Udi, Ezeagu, Uzo Uwani
At Eke Junction in Udi Local Government Area, the governor used the 44.8km Amah-Eke–Akama Oghe-Iwolo-Olo-Umulokpa Road (with a spur from Akama Oghe to Aguobuowa) to perform the symbolic flag-off of roads construction in Enugu West Zone.
Leaders of affected area, including the Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Uchenna Ugwu; Chairman, Udi LGA, Hyginus Agu; and the traditional ruler of Isigwu Umana, who is the Chairman, Ezeagu Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Emmanuel Anichebe, noted that the road, which runs through Udi, Ezeagu, and Uzo-Uwani LGAs, was a breath of fresh air.
“We are delighted to see you champion a new Enugu State. Obviously, the eight years of your administration will be remarkable for Enugu State,” Igwe Anichebe said.
Echoes of joy in Nkanuland
The story was not different in Nkanuland/Enugu East Senatorial District, when the governor flagged off the construction of multiple road projects in Nkanu East and Nkanu West, totalling 78.85km. At Amodu, he performed the representational groundbreaking for awarded road projects in Nkanu West, while those in Nkanu East were flagged-off in Nara. Mbah noted that the roads would trigger agricultural revolution and seamlessly connect Nkanu East, Nkanu West, Aninri LGAs, and Ebonyi State.
Former Deputy Governors, Sunday Onyebuchi and Bishop Ralph Nwoye; the member representing Nkanu East/Nkanu West Federal Constituency, Nnolim Nnaji; Chairman of Nkanu West LGA, John Ogbodo and his Nkanu East counterpart, Okechukwu Edeh; member representing Nkanu West State Constituency, Iloabuchi Aniagu, and his Nkanu East State Constituency counterpart, Okey Mbah; Chairman, Nkanu West Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Obiora Igweshi, and the First Grand Patron, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Abel Nwobodo; Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Ngozi Enih; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Mr. Uche Anichukwu, among others, took turns to list the numerous benefits of the roads, describing the projects as life-changing.
Early completion
A major takeaway was the assurance of timely and quality completion by all the contractors. They include the CEO of COMAG Construction Company, Cosmas Agu; CEO of Ferotex Construction Company, Chief Festus Onu and Managing Director of GOWASK Engineering Ltd, Hilary Abaratu.
The governor declared that every effort would be put in place to ensure timely completion of the projects.
“We are not in the business of abandoning projects. We cannot take up projects that we have not budgeted for and projects that we have not secured funding for. We are equally particular about timelines because we have no tolerance for cost and time overrun. We agreed with the contractors on when to deliver and if they fail to deliver, they will pay us liquidated damages,” Mbah emphasised.
