The Enugu State Executive Council has approved N1,532,148,154.76 for the construction of 14 critical roads in the Enugu metropolis and some rural communities.

This fresh massive approval came on the heels of the flag-off of construction and rehabilitation of four other critical roads at the cost of about N1 billion within Enugu metropolis just on the eve of the last November 4 local council elections in the state.

Briefing journalists on the outcome of the Council meeting held at Government House, Enugu, the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Greg Nnaji said the approvals were given after an extensive deliberation on various issues affecting the state, especially with regard to infrastructure, security and human capacity development.

He said that contracts for the urban roads were awarded with the aim of rehabilitating feeder roads to ease the pressure and occasional congestion on some major city roads, while the focus on rural roads is consistent with the Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi administration's vision to improve the living standard of rural dwellers and build new cities.

Nnaji explained further that, in line with this philosophy, the Council has decided to decongest the Nike Lake Road as part of the government's urban renewal strategy. "The Council approved the linking of Ezike-Mgbowo-Nike Lake Road extension in Enugu East Local Government Area.

“This is a popular road and once this road is linked, people coming into Enugu from other states could drive through there to access the airport or continue their journey to destinations such as Anambra State,” he said, adding that all the roads were strategic with impact on residents’ access and mobility as some of them would serve as bypass to decongest the popular Nike Lake Road.

According to Nnaji, some of the rural roads such as Ogrute-Umuogbo and Ulo-Isiugwu-Umuokpu-Ette roads in Igbo-Eze North LGA that lead to neighbouring Benue State have “for years not seen any form of construction whatsoever.”

A breakdown of the approvals further shows contract awards for the construction and rehabilitation of the following roads: Construction of Ohom-Orba-Amajioka-Umuikeoha-A gu Orba and Okpu-Agu Orba Road in Udenu Local Government Area at the cost of N376,921,420.00; and reconstruction/rehabilitation of Ngenevu Road and Brodrick Street, Coal Camp in Enugu North LGA at the cost of N116,567,814.54.

Others include the rehabilitation of Njamanze Entrance/Ogui Road, rehabilitation of Bonny Lane/Ogui Road, rehabilitation of Asata Chemist Lane/Ogui Road and reconstruction of New Market Roundabout-Civil Defence Headquarters-Works Road in Enugu North lLocal Government Area.

Equally approved was the procurement of an Incidence Response Vehicle for the Enugu State Emergency Management Agency and an approval for the establishment of the state Multi-Door Court House for connected purposes in the Ministry of Justice.

There was also an approval for the fumigation of 425 primary, secondary, science and technical schools prone to dangerous reptiles and insects. This is to ensure that teaching and learning take place in a safe environment, the Commissioner explained.

Update news