The Enugu state government led by Governor Mbah has flagged-off the construction and dualization of the 43.7km Penoks-Abakpa Nike-Ugwogo-Nike-Opi Nsukka Road with streetlights, the major roads connecting neighbourhood, and communities is aimed at enhancing the state’s infrastructure and promoting economic growth.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony at Op, the Governor said the road which is expected to be completed in 18 months ,will help reduce the rate of accidents after it’s construction.
The Governor who said he was delivering on his campaign promise, that his government was going to dualise the Penoks-Abakpa-Ugwogo-Opi-Nsukka road because we realised from the outset that if we had to grow the state’s economy no section of this state should be left behind, more so an economic hub like Nsukka Zone. So, all we are doing here today is fulfilling our promise.
Mbah regretted that a trip from Enugu to Nsukka presently takes over an hour, he said after the construction,travelling time will be reduced to 30mins.
The construction demonstrates our commitments to transforming Enugu state’s infrastructure.
This project when completed will boost economic activities, improve traffic flow and enhance the quality of life of the citizens of the state.
The governor noted that his administration’s grassroot-based development and economic model placed the Enugu North Zone at an advantage.
He said his government is doing projects based on electoral wards, And the Nsukka zone has 102 electoral wards, That means the zone will end up with 102 smart schools, 102 Type 2 Primary Healthcare Centres, over 1,000km of roads based since we are additionally going to do at least 10km of roads per ward,” he remarked.
Earlier in his speech, the traditional ruler of Edem-Ani and Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Samuel Asadu, said, “The people of Nsukka cultural zone and Enugu North Senatorial District never imagined the possibility of this life-time project.He commended the governor’s effort and pledged their support and loyalty to his government.
Also speaking, athe Deputy Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Ezeani Ezenta, noted that the governor has brought a huge infrastructural development to the people of the zone. The road when completed will improve the economic activity of the zone.
On his part, former Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Chief Okechukwu Itanyi, described the project as a legacy project which will help open Nsukka zone.
Other speakers, including the Chairman of Nsukka Nsukka LGA, Hon. Jude Asogwa, former Secretaries to the State Government, Dr. Dan Shere and Prof. Simon Ortuanya, among others extolled the initiative.
Significantly, in a press statement he personally issued on Monday, Member representing Igboeze North/Udenu Federal Constituency on the platform of the Labour Party, Hon. Dennis Agbo, described the road as “a transformational project, which will greatly facilitate commerce, ease mass transit and evacuation of farm produce by our hard working farmers as well as fight crime and criminality.“
The Member representing Nkanu East/Nkanu West Federal Constituency and Leader of the Enugu State Caucus of the National Assembly, Hon
Nnoli Nnaji, expressed the total delight of the federal lawmakers at the governor’s development initiatives and pledged their total support for him to move the state forward.
Meanwhile the CEO of COMAG Construction Company, Cosmas Agu pledged to do a good job and deliver the project at the expected time.
