Enugu: After elections, government returns to work

With the 2019 elections barely over, Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has returned to construction sites. Recent contracts approved and awarded by the state exco include the construction, reconstruction of urban, rural roads and 263 classroom blocks across the three senatorial zones. Also approved was the purchase of 22,150 set of lockers and chairs for students; 1,228 set of tables and chairs for the teachers; 1,130 marker boards for teaching and 1,960 ceiling fans for conducive learning environment. Others include the construction of a state-of-art administrative block at the new site of the Enugu State University of Education, Ihe in Agwu Local Government Area, as first step towards relocation of the school from GRA Enugu to its permanent site.

Also approved is the purchase of vehicles for effective monitoring and supervision of projects. According to the commissioner for Education, Prof. Uche Eze, while the construction of classrooms and procurement of facilities will cost N4b, the project will be executed under the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB). Enugu State has already contributed its counterpart fund, which led to the drawdown of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) fund. The construction of the administrative block will accommodate the vice chancellor and registrar’s offices, Council Chamber and other offices for smooth administrative take-off at the state University of Education, Ihe Agwu. It will cost N162,913,167.90, and when completed activities and processes of obtaining relevant approval from National University Commission will commence.

On road projects, rural areas are given priority. To reduce rural-urban migration in the state, the council approved contract for the construction and reconstruction of Carter Street, Asata, Enugu; Aludele Road, Nsukka; Bishop Court, Agwu; Access Road to Igbo Ano, and failed culvert, pavement and surfacing of Onuiyi Road, Nsukka, adjacent to Zik’s residence, totaling N544,795, 992.68.

Other approvals according to the Commissioner for Works, Greg Nnaji, is commencement of engineering studies and design of Oji River and Nsukka modern township stadia for Enugu West and Enugu North respectively; pre-contract documentation for the construction of state secretariat annex at Nsukka Satelite town. Approval was also given for the recruitment of 52 personnel, namely four Fire Officers, 24 Fire Lead Men and 24 Fire Men for the State Fire Service to work at the five newly built fire service stations across the state.

It would be recall that prior to the last elections, the administration awarded contract worth N1.4b for the construction and reconstruction of One Day road, Awkunanaw, Enugu; construction of Phase 2 of Nike Lake junction-Harmony Estate Road- Amorji Nike- Adoration Pilgrimage Centre; rehabilitation of Kenyatta Market road/ failed portions/ Onah street Enugu; Umumba Ndiagu-Ebenebe road phase one in Ezeagu Council Area. Others are the reconstruction of Amankwo-Amaeke Ngwo-Ama Brewery Junction (Bypass); extension of Amalla-Orba-Orie-Orba-Eke-Ovoko-Ovoko Junction road and others.

The pre-contract inspection of roads approved for construction and reconstruction and post inspection for the ongoing and completed contracts across the state has commenced. Already inspected are; old UNTH road, Enugu; Ogidi street and Onyeama lane in Asata, Enugu, Carter Street, Asata, Enugu and the erosion menace at Okwuosa bridge, Ogui, Enugu and others.

Salaries arrears owed local government workers in four local government areas in the state have been paid. This was disclosed by the permanent secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mr Ezema Benedict at the Nsukka Council Area during the payment of the arrears of council workers for last month. He said that four council areas out of the 17 in the state, were unable to pay salaries in 2017 but the Governor had intervened. The four local council areas are – Nsukka, Isi-Uzo, Enugu South and Uzo-Uwani