•Also to purchase 2,000 sedans for city taxis

By IFEOMA AKA

Enugu State Government says it will acquire additional 14 aircraft in 2026 making the fleet 20 in total as well as procure 2,000 sedans for city taxis.

Gov. Peter Mbah made the disclosure during the 2026 budget presentation to the state House of Assembly in Enugu on Tuesday.

Mbah said that Enugu Air would continue to serve as an economic enabler and a strategic platform for their emergence as a regional hub.

“We have also made provisions for the procurement of 2,000 sedans for our City taxes,” he disclosed.

The governor described transportation as the “lifeblood of commerce” adding that without efficient mobility, no economy could thrive.

He said that in 2026, the state would construct five new transport terminals that would be located at Emene, Udi, Awgu, 4-Corners, and Obollo Afor to boost mobility.

On tourism, the governor said that Enugu’s natural attractions – its hills, waterfalls, caves, and lush vegetation, position the state as a natural tourism destination adding that they would sustain the major upgrades already underway.

“This includes the revamp of Awhum Waterfall and Caves, Okpatu, Nsude, and Ngwo Pine Forest, where they will unveil the first zip line in Nigeria as similar upgrade will take place at Akwuke Sand Beach in 2026,”.

On road, the governor explained that in 2026, the state would pave 1,200 urban roads and a significant number of rural roads.

He pointed out that every Local Government Area would benefit from major road project in the budget adding that they would complete the 40-kilometre Owo-UbahuAmankanu-Neke-Ikem Dual Carriageway, opening a new gateway to the North-Central region.

The governor said that the dualisation of the Abakpa Nike – Ugwogo Nike – Ekwegbe – Opi – Nsukka Road – one of the busiest economic corridors – would also be completed.

“At the State Secretariat, the completion of the C Wing will ensure all ministries are finally housed in one location,” he added.

He said that they allocated N868 billion to economic sector representing 61.4 per cent of the capital expenditure adding that they also invested in agriculture, industry, and trade.

He said that this would create jobs, reduce poverty, and generate revenue that would strengthen the entire economy as the performance of the sector remained central to its vision of achieving a sevenfold Growth Development Product (GDP) growth in Enugu state.

“On agriculture, it remains crucial to our pursuit of poverty eradication and self-sufficiency, with its potential to create massive job opportunities and expand our revenue base. Next year, we will complete the construction of all 260 Farm Estates.

“Each 200-hectare farm estate will be equipped with key infrastructure, central warehouses for produce aggregation and processing, tractor sheds, irrigation systems, electricity, and water supply,” he said. (NAN)