The administration of Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has awarded contracts for the construction of six major roads across the state at the sum of N2.4 billion, covering the Eha-Amufu-Nkalagu federal road at Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, which has been in a deplorable condition.
Other roads include the extension of the Agbani-Afor Amurri road; the extension of Ituku road; the construction of Ogonogoeji Ndi Agu Akpugo road (Atavu Bailey Bridge –Afor Onovo); the construction of 42 meter span Bailey bridge and road works across river Nyama to Amechi-Linking Umuogo and Umuagba Amechi Uno/ Obinagu community, all in Nkanu West L.G.A.
It would be recalled the Gov. Ugwuanyi had recently inspected most of the road projects, where he promised the immediate intervention of his administration and reiterated his commitment to the development of the rural areas to give the dwellers a sense of belonging and make life more meaningful for them.
Addressing newsmen after the State Executive Council meeting, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Greg Nnaji, explained that the council approved the splitting of the 8.8 km Eha-Amufu-Nkalagu road into lots 1 and 2, and awarding of the contracts to separate reputable contractors that will commence works simultaneously from the Nkalagu axis that borders Enugu and Ebonyi States and the Eha-Amufu College of Education section.
Engr. Nnaji disclosed that the 8.8km road which will cost over N1.3billion, was divided into two lots “to ensure that the construction is fast tracked within the weather window available this year”.
On the Ogonogoeji Ndi Agu Akpugo road, the works commissioner expressed doubt if the people of the area, particularly their children who were born over 20 years ago had seen an asphalted road, adding that the state government’s intervention was significant and timely.
On the river crossing at Amechi Uno, Engr. Nnaji, noted that because of few problems encountered on the project in the past, the government has engaged the services of the 44 Engineer Brigade of the Nigerian Army, whose responsibility and engineering skill are needed to salvage the situation and deliver quality job within the next three months to serve the people of the area effectively.
He also announced that the council’s decision to rehabilitate and renovate the seven District hospitals in the state located in Agbani, Udi, Igbo Eze North, Isi-Uzo, Nsukka and Awgu was upheld, adding that approval was given for the immediate upgrade and renovation of Polly Clinic/Asata District Hospital, Enugu and Udi District Hospital, Udi Local Government Area.
“We are no longer talking about roads. We are looking into other public buildings and things that would impact positively on the lives of the people of our state”, the works commissioner said.
In his briefing, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Uche Eze said that the council in a bid to enhance the standard of learning and ensure that the basic education programme is continuously promoted in the state, approved that the sum of N1billion be released to the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB) to enable the board draw down another N1billion from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Abuja.
The education commissioner explained that the essence of the approval was also for the state government to continue to construct new classroom blocks, renovate dilapidated ones and provide the essential instructional resources that will enhance effective learning system, saying: “This is a demonstration of the Governor Ugwuanyi-led administration to ensure that education is placed at a level that is competitive worldwide”.
Prof. Eze also stated that the council approved the release of N50 million as grant to the Enugu State Polytechnic Iwollo, Ezeagu to procure workshop and laboratory equipment and other instructional materials that would enable the institution obtain full accreditation for all her programmes, sequel to the interim accreditation from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
He further stated that N10 million was approved for the institution as additional monthly subvention to enable it recruit more 121 academic and non-academic staff and pay them monthly salary.
Also approved, according to the commissioner for education, was the sum of N22, 650,000.00 to enable the academic and physical planning sub committees for the relocation of the Enugu State College of Education Technical, Enugu to Ihe, Awgu Local Government Areas complete their assignments.
