The Enugu State Government has approved a sum of N183 billion for the construction of 141 roads in the Enugu metropolis and 20 rural roads across the state’s three senatorial zones. Additionally, the government has sanctioned the creation of 133 more smart schools, bringing the total to 260, ensuring one smart school per political ward.
Road Construction Projects
Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Gerald Otiji, provided a breakdown of the road projects, which include:
Dualization of the 41.3 km Abakpa Nike-Opi-Nsukka Road with bridges.
Dualization 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.
Amodu-Akpugo Road.
Additional roads approved include:
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 Road.
Amagu-Attakwu-Akegbe Ugwu-Akpasha Road.
Obinagu Udi-Isu Awa Road.
Nsukka-Ibagwa-Ogurute-Ette Road.
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.
Otiji emphasized the deliberate selection of roads to ensure comprehensive coverage of zones such as Emene, Thinkers Corner, Abakpa, Trans Ekulu/New GRA/Old GRA, Awkunanaw (Achara Layout/Uwani/Gariki), Independence Layout, Ogui/Asata, and Coal Camp.
Infrastructure and Security Enhancements
Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu, and Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Aka Eze Aka, highlighted ongoing projects including the installation of hi-tech security surveillance cameras around the state and the upgrade of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.
Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Initiatives
Under its agriculture and agro-industrialization drive, the Mbah administration has developed nearly 200,000 hectares in its Land Bank for agricultural purposes across its Produce Cities in the 17 LGAs. Significant leases include:
15,000 hectares at Ikem Nkwo to Ugwu Anama Farms Enugu SPV Limited for crop cultivation.
2,000 hectares at Eha-Amufu to Atlantico Farms and Agro Concepts Limited for crop production, plus an additional 100 hectares for an ultra-modern feed mill and poultry farm.
20,000 hectares to Sujimoto Group for rice cultivation and development of an agro-industrial processing park at Odenigbo, Eha-Amufu.
7,221 hectares to Fungtai Company Limited for planting economic trees, crop farming, and establishing agro-allied industrial parks at Ugwujoro, Nimbo, Uzo-Uwani LGA.
The administration is also finalizing arrangements for Britednuel Agro Limited and partners to take over the management and development of the long-moribund Songhai Farms Heneke in Ezeagu LGA.
In 2023, the state government cultivated 1,000 hectares in Aninri, Nkanu East, and Uzo-Uwani LGAs to support the Federal Government’s cassava-to-bioethanol value chain development initiative. Additionally, the Biotechnology Industrial Park, a joint effort by the Federal Government, Enugu State, and Biosource Technologies Ltd, is under construction at Egede/Affa in Udi LGA.
By Ebubedike Ochu
