Excitement in Enugu over award of road contracts

By Francis Igata

During his inaugural speech at the Micheal Okpara Square, May 29, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State4 unfolded  the direction of his administration. Road development was top on the agenda.

He set out to achieve this when, in his first week in office, during an assessment of government facilities, he declared that Abakpa Nike and Nike Lake Roads, Opi-Nsukka Dual Carriage Way, Amankwo-Ameke-Amah Brewing Junction, 9th-Mile By-pass, Ohom Oba junction-Imilike Ani-Ezimo Agu- Imilike- Ogbodu Aba- Obollo Etiti- Amalla-Obollo–Afor- Udenu Ring Roads will be reconstructed in recognition of their socio-economic importance.

Others, including Enugu  road in Nsukka,Nsukka Junction- Umuezebi -Post Office Roundabout-Odenigbo Roundabout-Ogurugu Road–Ikenga Hotels Junction and Obechara Road Junction-Umuakashi-Mechanic Village-Ikenga Hotels Junction, were listed for  priority attention.

True to his words,Ugwuanyi, on Monday, when the State Executive Council met, approved the award of contracts for the construction of the roads.

During a press briefing at the end of the meeting, presided over by the governor at the Government House, Enugu, the state Commissioner for Information, Dr. Godwin Udehele, disclosed that funds had also been approved for aggressive maintenance of roads in Enugu metropolis, in order to tackle the difficulties experienced by road users occasioned by potholes which create chaotic traffic hold ups and increase accidents.

MAINTENANCE WORK

In the meantime, Ogui-New Haven,Achara Layout, to Garki,Abakiliki Road, Abakpa Junction are all receiving rehabilitation attention which have improved movement of vehicles on the roads.

EXCITEMENT

Elated residents of Enugu, who had waited with bated breath for the announcement of award of the road contracts, could not hide their joy after the Monday announcement.  Their position stemmed stem from Ugwuanyi’s initiative and firm commitment to the well-being of the people through his programmes and policies.

Some of the residents, who spoke on the development, expressed delight over the manner the governor had been piloting the affairs of the state,describing him as a visionary.

•Governor Ugwuanyi (pointing) flanked on his left by member representing Udi North constituency, at the state House of Assembly, Hon. Johnbull Nwagu; Vice Chairman of Udi L.G.A., Mrs. Uche Eze; Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Works & Infrastructure, Mrs. Sylvia Onwubuemeli; Commissioner for Works & Infrastructure, Engr. Patrick Ikpenwa; and member representing Udi South constituency, at the State House of Assembly, Hon. Chuka Eneh, right, during inspection an erosion site at Abor along old Enugu-Nsukka expressway.

They commended Ugwuanyi for his quick response to the maintenance of the major roads in Enugu metropolis, adding that it was an indication that he is sensitive to the plight of the people.

The residents said that the governor’s vision to repair the roads, constructed during the immediate past administration, also showed that he was committed to the principle of seamless continuity and consolidation which he had promised the people of the state.

Dr. Chukwujama Ejifor,a senior medical officer at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital,UNTH,Ituku-Ozalla,who was visibly elated on hearing the announcement of the award of road contracts, eulogized the governor for his timely intervention in suspending the throat cutting penalty imposed on motorists by traffic/revenue officials even as he noted that the governor’s action has further endeared him to the people.

He said: “The governor’s move is laudable because the roads touches on the hearts of our day-to-day life. Look at the Abakpa junction traffic gridlock when you are coming into town from Abakpa,Trans-Ekulu,Onitsha axis. Although the road is a Federal Government road, it is only a people’s governor like Ugwuanyi that will quickly rescue people from the time and economic sapping gridlock dotting that axis of the metropolis.

“This development serves as a pointer on his innate ability to adopt a maintenance culture for public facilities and utilities. The roads in the metropolis were a serious sore point following the substandard materials used for the construction by the immediate past administration. We have not seen the type of gridlocks building up in the metropolis as a result.

“No doubt,this administration is responsive to the peoples’ plight. It is the small things that makes a big difference in governance qualities and style. The confidence reposed on the governor has not been misdirected because we voted him overwhelmingly knowing his pedigree of performance. We expected nothing less.”

Another respondent,Mr. Okey Agbo, revealed that the governor’s compassionate approach towards addressing the issue has carved a cherished recess in the people’s hearts.

Agbo added: “The roads when reconstructed and rehabilitated, will pave way for an enhanced investment and business growth in the state. It will not only add to the aesthetic value of the road network in the state,it will place the state on a world map of tourism. This administration has proved to be result driven and living to its words. We cannot wait to see the actualization of these lofty projects that will definitely add value to our lives”.

ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS

The roads, when constructed, will serve as a launching pad towards boosting socio-economic activities along the corridors where it will traverse. Farmers will heave a huge sigh of relief once constructed because it will drastically reduce man hours spent to evacuate farm produce,preserve farm produce and reduce cost of food items coming from the rural communities.

It will also restore the confidence on agriculture which is the mainstay of the people. Failed portions of the road which served as a hibernating ground for miscreants will whittle the insecurity challenge arising from such situation.

Ugwuanyi’s resolve to reconstruct these roads plagued by erosion was demonstrated during an inspection visit to a site at Abor town, Udi L.G.A, along old Enugu-Nsukka expressway last Tuesday.

The menace,which drew tears, must have reinforced the plight of motorists in the state even as the people feel the copious connect between the government and the governed.

Source : vanguard