The Enugu government approves N183 billion for 161 road construction

The Enugu State Government has authorized N183 billion to build 20 rural roads in each of the three senatorial districts and an additional 141 roads within the city of Enugu.

After the State Executive Council meeting on Sunday at Government House in Enugu, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), revealed this to reporters during a briefing. In addition, Onyia revealed that the council has authorized the awarding of 133 Smart Green Schools, increasing the total number of smart schools to 260. According to him, the initiatives support Gov. Peter Mbah's goal of increasing the state's GDP from $4.4 billion to $30 billion.

In four to eight years, he claims, the measure will lead to the achievement of a zero percent poverty headcount index and establish the state as the top location for business, investment, tourism, and living. Previously, the state's total budget was estimated to be between N100 billion and N120 billion, with capital expenditures amounting to about N30 billion, or a 25 to 35 percent capital expenditure to budget ratio.

However, the governor requested an unprecedented N521.5 billion in the 2024 budget, with a capital expenditure of over N400 billion, in keeping with Mbah's pledge to de-risk investments, increase production, and operate a lean and careful administration.

He stated, "At this point, 141 urban roads and 20 rural roads have also been approved by the governor and the Executive Council." According to the SSG, de-risking agricultural investments and enhancing the standard of living in rural communities are two key goals of the planned road projects. Beyond security, which we are successfully addressing, increasing the production and transportation of products from farms to markets is the major issue. Onyia stated, "We also recognize the need for processing, which is why we have made significant investments in road infrastructure."

The 41.3 km Abakpa Nike-Opi-Nsukka Road with bridges and the Penocks Junction-Nike Lake Road to T-Junction Flyover were among the roads covered in the phase, according to a breakdown of the roads provided by Mr. Gerald Otiji, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure. The others are Amodu-Akpugo Road, Nomeh-Oduma Road, Mburubu-Nkereffi Road, Umabi-Ehuhe Achi with a spur to Agbudu-Ihe-Owelli-Ogugu via Enugu-Port Harcourt Old Road, and Nomeh-Mburubu-Nara Road with two bridges.

The remaining roads are, among many others, Iheaka-Ibagwa, Ibagwa-Itchi-Unadu-Alor Agu-Ibeje, Amagunze-Ihuokpara-Ugbawka, Obeleagu Umana (Nkwo Ezeagu)-Omughu Umana-Aguobu-Umumba, and Nara-Nkerefi Road with a bridge. Otiji went on to say that the administration carefully considered all available zones when choosing which roads to build or rehabilitate.