The Enugu State Government has sanctioned a substantial budget of N183bn for the construction of 141 roads within Enugu metropolis and an additional 20 rural roads across the state’s three senatorial zones.
Further, the government has approved the establishment of 133 new smart schools, supplementing the ongoing construction of 127 smart schools and bringing the total to 260 — or one smart school per political ward.
These approvals were announced following a State Executive Council meeting led by Governor Peter Mbah at the Government House in Enugu over the weekend.
During a briefing with reporters, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, emphasized that these projects align with Governor Mbah’s vision to enhance the state’s economy from $4.4bn to $30bn, achieve a zero percent poverty headcount index, and position Enugu as the premier destination for business, investment, tourism, and habitation within the next four to eight years.
“Historically, the state’s total budget ranged from N100bn to N120bn, with capital expenditure around N30bn, translating to a capital expenditure to budget ratio of approximately 25 to 35 percent.
“In line with Governor Mbah’s commitment to fostering a secure investment climate, enhancing production, and maintaining a lean and efficient government, he has proposed a groundbreaking N521.5bn budget for 2024, with more than N400bn allocated for capital expenditure. This offers a remarkable capital expenditure to budget ratio of about 80 percent, with recurrent expenditure at around 20 percent.
“Thus, the key takeaway from today’s Exco meeting is our commitment to prioritizing infrastructure development. Recall that last year, we initiated the construction of 71 urban roads and 10 rural roads. Now, the governor and the Executive Council have approved the construction of 141 urban roads and 20 rural roads.
“It is important to highlight that although the rural roads are fewer in number, they cover nearly three times the distance compared to those approved for urban Enugu.
“This strategy aims to enhance the quality of life in rural communities and, crucially, to mitigate investment risks in agriculture. Beyond ensuring security, a primary challenge is facilitating the production and transportation of agricultural products from farms to markets. We also recognize the need for processing, hence our significant investments in road infrastructure,” Prof. Onyia stated.
Breaking down the project details, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Gerald Otiji, listed the roads slated for this phase, including the dualization of the 41.3km Abakpa Nike-Opi-Nsukka Road, upgrades to the Penocks Junction-Nike Lake Road leading to T-Junction Flyover, the Nomeh-Mburubu-Nara Road with two bridges, Umabi-Ehuhe Achi with a spur to Agbudu-Ihe-Owelli-Ogugu by the Enugu-Port Harcourt old road, and several others.
Additional roads include Iheaka-Ibagwa Road, Ibagwa-Itchi-Unadu-Alor Agu-Ibeje Road, Amagunze-Ihuokpara-Ugbawka Road with a bridge, Obeleagu Umana (Nkwo Ezeagu)-Omughu Umana-Aguobu-Umumba Road, among others.
The selection process for the 141 roads prioritized thorough representation across all areas, including Emene, Thinkers Corner, Abakpa, Trans Ekulu/New GRA/Old GRA, Awkunanaw (Achara Layout/Uwani/Gariki), Independence Layout, Ogui/Asata, and Coal Camp.
In a related update, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu, along with Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Aka Eze Aka, noted that the Executive Council also reviewed the ongoing installation of advanced security surveillance cameras throughout the state and the planned enhancements for Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.
In furtherance of its agricultural and agro-industrial strategies, the Mbah administration has developed nearly 200,000 hectares in its Land Bank across the 17 LGAs for agricultural initiatives, which will be further supported by the construction of rural roads.
The government has already leased 15,000 hectares at Ikem Nkwo to Ugwu Anama Farms Enugu SPV Limited for crop cultivation; 2,000 hectares at Eha-Amufu to Atlantico Farms and Agro Concepts Limited for crop production, along with another 100 hectares designated for an ultra-modern feed mill and poultry farm; and 20,000 hectares to Sujimoto Group for cultivation.
