The Senate Minority Whip and Senator representing Enugu West Senatorial District, Senator Osita Ngwu, has called on the Federal Government to expedite the release of funds for the completion of critical federal road projects in Enugu State.
Speaking during an inspection tour with members of the Enugu State House of Assembly and other stakeholders from the zone, Senator Ngwu expressed deep concern over the deplorable condition of major roads such as the old Enugu-Onitsha road and the 9th Mile-Orokam road.
The old Enugu-Onitsha road, awarded in 2019 and stretching from the Anambra border through Oji, Udi, Umulumgbe, Okpatu, and Ukehe to Opi Junction, is being handled by Arab Contractors. The 9th Mile-Orokam road, on the other hand, is under construction by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).
Ngwu emphasized the strategic importance of the Enugu-Onitsha road, noting its vital role in connecting the Southeast to the Northern parts of Nigeria. While the Senate had appropriated funds for the project, he lamented that delays from the Ministry of Finance were stalling progress.
The senator commended past and present efforts by state leaders, including former Governor Sullivan Chime for constructing the Enugu-Ugwogo-Opi road, which he described as a lifeline to the North amid decaying infrastructure. He also applauded Governor Peter Mbah for awarding the contract for the dualisation of the same road and other key projects across the state.
“If the government is not prepared to make funds available, then it shouldn’t award road projects in the first place,” Ngwu said. “You cannot even talk about economic growth when the roads are bad.”
He warned that the continued neglect of road infrastructure fuels a sense of marginalisation among residents and urged President Bola Tinubu to act swiftly.
“We want to use this medium to call on the President to come to our rescue,” he appealed.
