…Sets Timeline for contractors
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has flagged-off multiple road projects totaling about 166.55km in the three senatorial zones of the state.
Mbah who performed these flagoffs within Monday, October 28, 2024 to Wednesday, October 30, 2024 noted that the multiple projects reflected the commitment of his administration to opening up rural areas.
On Wednesday, he flagged of the construction of multiple road projects totaling 78.85km in Nkanu East and Nkanu West Local Governments of state.
At Amodu in Nkanu West LGA, Governor Mbah performed the symbolic groundbreaking for the 9.30km Amodu-Akpugo Road, 5km Amagu-Atakwu-Akegbe Ugwu-Akpasha Road, and 3.12km Obuofia-Obeagu-Akegbe Ugwu Road totaling 17.32km.
Also, at Nara in Nkanu East LGA, the governor flagged-off the construction of the 12.96km Nomeh-Mburubu-Nara Road, 7km Nomeh-Oduma Road, 7.20km Mburubu-Nkereffi Road, 9km Nara-Nkerefi Road, 9.7km Amagunze-Ihuokpara-Ugbawka Road, 8.67km Akpawfu-Akpugo-Amagunze Road with a spur to Umuoma Onicha, and 61.43km Isiogbo Nara-Isu Road, all toalling 61.43km.
Speaking, Mbah said, “In the last few days, we have flagged off about 90km of roads and bridges across these various local governments. Today, we are here to again perform this all important event of the flag off. What you see here at this location may just be project signages indicating a few kilometres of road, but in actual terms, we are here to flag-off the construction of about 90km of roads in both Nkanu East and Nkanu West. But we cannot just go to all the roads one after the other.
“What we are about to witness in our various communities is an agricultural renaissance. As you already have known, we are setting up farm estates in different wards on a minimum of 200 hectares of land each. The farm estate would ensure that we take our agriculture potential to an industrial scale. So, our growth in agriculture will not just be for food. Agriculture for us will be a serious business and a major force for economic growth.
“We equally understand that if we are trying to attract cottage industries in our various rural areas, we must, as a matter of urgency, ensure that we have wide and paved roads.
“These roads are not only going to seamlessly connect Nkanu East to the West, but also Aninri LGA, and Ebonyi State,” he stated.
The governor assured the people that he looked forward to commissioning the roads in a few months’ time.
“We want to assure you that 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 freeze the cost, we freeze the timeline. We agreed with the contactors on when to deliver and if they fail to deliver, they will pay us liquidated damages.”
The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Gerald Otiji, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Projects Development and Implementation, Arc. Uchenna Nwatu, assured the people of effective and intensive supervision to ensure quality delivery as demanded by the governor.
The Managing Director of GOWASK Engineering Ltd, Hilary Abaratu, pledged to deliver the projects both in terms of high quality and timeframe spelt out in the contract.
Former Deputy Governors, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi and Bishop Ralph Nwoye; Member representing Nkanu East/Nkanu West Federal Constituency, Hon. Nnoli Nnaji; Chairman of Nkanu West LGA, Hon. John Ogbodo and his Nkanu East counterpart, Hon. Okechukwu Edeh; Member representing Nkanu West State Constituency, Hon. Iloabuchi Aniagu, and his Nkanu East State Constituency counterpart, Hon. Okey Mbah; Chairman, Nkanu West Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Igwe Obiora Igwesi, and the 1st 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, took turns to commend the governor and list the numerous impacts the roads would make on the lives of the people when completed, describing the projects as life-changing.
44km Amah-Eke–Oghe- Iwolo-Olo-Umulokpa Road
Dr. Peter Mbah flagged off the construction of the 44.8km Amah-Eke–Oghe- Iwolo-Olo-Umulokpa Road, traversing the Udi, Ezeagu and Uzo-Uwani Local Government Areas (LGAs) and also with a spur from Akama Oghe to Aguobuowa, to open the economic corridors of the state.
Performing the groundbreaking at Eke, Udi LGA, on Tuesday, Mbah stressed that the flag-off was also a symbolic event for the numerous other roads awarded in Enugu West Senatorial District, noting that beyond Umulokpa, his administration had equally awarded the contract to make it possible for the people to travel seamlessly from Adani and connect to Nsukka.
“What you see is asphalt and well-paved road that we will have here, but what I see when I do this flag-off or when I go for commissioning is a $30bn economy. I am also seeing the eradication of poverty. I am seeing an enhanced human welfare and capital development. These are essentially what good roads do for you beyond ease of movement and reduction in travel time.
“So, with the roads we have awarded, what you essentially have is a circle, which you can travel in less than one hour. You would also be able to go from Enugu East to West and then to North with ease. That way, we can open up a lot of economic activities,” he stated.
The governor also assured on timely completion of the road, and called on the people to continue to support his government.
“When we award contracts, we are quite focused on timeline and cost. So, in three months, we are back here to cut the ribbon and commission this road. The contractor already knows that we have no tolerance for time overrun. So, he is going to deliver as promised. On our part, we are going to ensure that he is well-funded.
“So, as for the naysayers and skeptics, you can now please go and tell them what you can see because for us, it is not about the talk but the work. We are keeping our own part of the bargain. We would urge you that you continue to support us, support the contractor during this period of construction,” he concluded.
Giving further details, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Projects Development and Implementation, Arc. Uchenna Nwatu, said that the road would be completed in three months with adequate measures also put in place to checkmate erosion.
“In the new design, embarkment will be built, other hydraulic structures will follow it, drains and culverts of different sizes will be built to protect the road. One unique thing about the road is that both the shoulders of 1.5 metres and the carriageway of 7.3 metres will be asphalted. Everything will be asphalted from drain to drain,” he said
In his remark, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Gerald Otiji, added that the governor had directed the extension of the road beyond Orie Engine.
“So, the road will run from Orie Engine down to Ebenebe by the Anambra State border with another spur running through Obinaofia Ndiagu to Ugwuoba. This is part of the economic ring that the governor is putting in place, he stated.
Member representing Nkanu East/Nkanu West Federal Constituency, Hon. Nnoli Nnaji, commended the governor for connecting the entire state with good roads for socioeconomic prosperity.
Speaking on behalf of their people, various leaders of Udi, Ezeagu, and Uzo-Uwani, including the Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu; Chairman, Udi LGA, Hon. Hyginus Agu; and the traditional ruler of Isigwu Umana, who is the Chairman, Ezeagu Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Emmanuel Anichebe, commended the governor for creating a brand-new Enugu State.
“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.
The CEO of Ferotex Construction Company, Chief Festus Onu, reassured the governor and the people that the road would be of the best quality and would be delivered on target.
Earlier, PACESETTER had reported the flag-off of the 43.7km Penoks-Abakpa Nike-Opi Nsukka Road.