The Enugu State government has approved a budget of N183 billion for the construction of 141 urban roads across the Enugu metropolis and 20 rural roads in the three senatorial zones of the state.
Additionally, the government has sanctioned the development of 133 new smart schools, supplementing the ongoing 127 smart schools to bring the total to 260, ensuring one smart school per political ward.
These decisions were announced following the State Executive Council meeting, chaired by Governor Peter Mbah at the Government House in Enugu over the weekend.
Briefing the media, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, highlighted that these projects are part of Governor Mbah’s strategic vision to expand the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion, achieve a zero percent poverty index, and position Enugu State as a leading destination for business, investment, tourism, and living within the next four to eight years.
“Previously, the state’s total budget ranged between N100 billion and N120 billion, with capital expenditure making up about 25 to 35 percent of the budget. In contrast, Governor Mbah has proposed a historic N521.5 billion budget for 2024, with over N400 billion allocated to capital expenditure, representing approximately 80 percent of the budget, and about 20 percent for recurrent expenditure,” Prof. Onyia stated.
He emphasized the government’s commitment to infrastructure development, noting that while only 20 rural roads are being developed compared to 141 urban roads, the rural roads span nearly three times the distance of the urban roads. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of life in rural areas and mitigate risks in agricultural investments by improving the transport of produce from farms to markets.
Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Gerald Otiji, provided a detailed breakdown of the roads included in this phase. Key projects encompass the dualisation of the 41.3km Abakpa Nike-Opi-Nsukka Road with bridges, dualisation of Penocks Junction – Nike Lake Road to T-Junction Flyover, Nomeh-Mburubu-Nara Road with two bridges, Umabi-Ehuhe Achi with a spur to Agbudu-Ihe-Owelli-Ogugu via Enugu-Port Harcourt old road, Nomeh-Oduma Road, Mburubu-Nkereffi Road, and Amodu-Akpugo Road.
Further road projects 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, Nara-Nkerefi Road with a bridge, Amagunze-Akpawfu Road, Amagu-Attakwu-Akegbe Ugwu-Akpasha Road, Obinagu Udi-Isu Awa Road, and Nsukka-Ibagwa-Ogurute-Ette Road.
Additional roads approved for construction include Obuofia-Obeagu-Akegbe Ugwu Road, Obinofia-Ndiagu-Ugwuoba Road via Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Orie Engine-Aguobu-Umumba-Ebenebe Road to Anambra State border, Ituku Roads, and Ozalla Roads, among others.
Engr. Otiji also mentioned that the government was meticulous in selecting the 141 roads to ensure coverage across all zones, including Emene, Thinkers Corner, Abakpa, Trans Ekulu/New GRA/Old GRA, Awkunanaw (Achara Layout/Uwani/Gariki), Independence Layout, Ogui/Asata, and Coal Camp.
(Independent)