The Enugu State Government has disclosed that the Federal Government has approved the construction of an iconic roundabout and tower at the Opi Junction, about 14km from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
This followed Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s determination and vision to include Nsukka in the world map of history with a landmark edifice.
Ugwuanyi, who was accompanied by Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Greg Nnaji, Controller of Works, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Femi Oyekanmi and Airspace Manager, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, Iliya Yohana, disclosed that the major purpose of the inspection tour was to obtain approval from the federal agencies for the commencement of the project.
He explained that the roundabout and tower would be a deserving identity of Nsukka, stressing that the second-largest city in Enugu State, which was hitherto neglected, deserved a major facelift in infrastructure development.
“We called NAMA to approve the project because of the height of the tower to ensure that it won’t be an obstruction to flights”, he said.
Speaking, Nnaji pointed out that the project was captured in the 2021 budget, while Oyekanmi, who endorsed the construction of the roundabout and tower, commended Gov. Ugwuanyi for seeking the assessment and approval of the Ministry and NAMA before the commencement of the project, stressed that such approach was novel.
Also speaking, Yohana commended Ugwuanyi for seeking the agency’s approval, saying: “We will look at the technical drawings and offer necessary advice.”
Chairman of Nsukka Council, lawmakers from the area, the traditional ruler of Agu Opi Community, Igwe Pius Agbo, representatives of Odinma Nsukka, on behalf of the people of Nsukka zone and Opi Community, expressed gratitude to Governor Ugwuanyi for initiating the project.
They expressed hope that the project would go a long way in decongesting traffic and place the area on the world map of history with a unique and deserving identity.
