Infrastructure for Development: A Review of the Ugwuanyi Administration

…help grow the local economy and open new economic corridors

by Ifunanya Nna-Ude

In living as a Nigerian especially in Nigeria, one has most likely encountered more promises than executions, accompanied by disappointments.

Our citizens are not enthusiastic when it comes to voting people into power and for the majority, attendant cynicism is the order of the day. Such apathy is backed up with the belief that it is the same crop of individuals that the system keeps recycling and the only difference between political aspirants is usually their political parties.

This reality is likely untrue in Enugu state where the last governorship elections saw the incumbent governor being re-elected with over 95% of the votes in his favor. There were no reports of widespread rigging and the elections was reported to be free and fair by independent observers.

One major reason for this continued support is because the governor stayed true to his campaign promises during his first tenure.

From restoring a sense of normalcy by ensuring prompt salary payments, which is a basic duty owed by any government to its civil workforce that was previously muddled up in the past years that it seemingly become a thing of luxury.

The government led by Governor Ugwuanyi normalized workers being paid as at when due. As confirmed by one of the civil servants, a teacher in Girls Secondary School, Ngwo, “the Governor has not only stayed true to his words of paying us, he has also included the thirteenth month salary that comes as bonus every December, and pays our annual leave allowance since we rarely go on leave breaks due to the nature and schedule of our work as teachers.”

Unlike many returning governors who rest on their laurels and become complacent when re-elected into office for the second tenure, Governor Ugwuanyi has continued to fulfill his promises to Ndi Enugu and has consistently shown he holds great interest in the affairs of his people.

He is not only helping to solve the problems of Enugu state he met on ground, but has also undertaken visionary projects and measures by setting in motion ideas that would benefit the citizenry both now and in the future, long after he has completed his tenure.

The governor understands that the role of infrastructure in the overall development of a state can never be over emphasized, with profound effects on healthcare, economy, sports and youth development among many others. The governor has dedicated a core part of his agenda to bring these developments to the rural areas. Armed with the knowledge that majority of Enugu residents dwell in the rural areas, while also not neglecting the urban areas.

The current administration has commissioned various infrastructural projects ranging from residential buildings to hospital facilities and new road networks among others.

Of a truth, there is no denying that this is one of the foremost areas that the governor has excelled. In bringing a breath of fresh air to already existing structures and creating new ones where none previously existed. A cursory look at some of these projects would shed more light on how much work the Ugwuanyi administration has put in.

To reduce state funds recurrent yearly spending, 10 guest houses have been built to reduce the cost of accommodation for state visitors.

Estates have been commissioned in the state like the Heritage estate (former location for Enugu State Transport Company (ENTRACO) opposite Radio Nigeria, to the WTC Estate adjacent to the University of Nigeria Enugu Campus. Currently, there are lands available for sale Diamond Estate, Golf Estate annex and Kings Lake view layout at Amokpo community, Abakpa Nike Enugu, all coordinated government efforts to provide adequate land and housing opportunities for the citizenry.

Furthermore, a 1000 capacity parking space was made available for traders and buyers at Ogbete main market, (the biggest market in the state) which is helping to decongest the roads leading to and surrounding this market.

The completed construction of Itukku road phase 1 and extension as well as Bishops court, Agwu has made the roads accessible to communities.

As recounted by a resident of Itukku, “the road was usually filled with sticky mud during the rainy season which made it a nightmare for pedestrians as well as car owners whose cars usually got stuck in the middle of the road. During the dry season, we also had to deal with a lot of dust emanating from the pile of sands on the road.” He praised the governor for coming to their rescue as the road has not been tarred until then since he started living in the community.

In the beginning of 2019, the 11-km Milliken Hill-Ngwo-9th Mile road which was once a deathtrap was remodeled to ensure the safety of the road users. One of the indigenes of Ngwo recounted how he had watched that road claim the lives and limbs of numerous people.

The road was popular as one of the white elephant projects that almost every administration used as a campaign strategy when canvassing for votes.

During election seasons, gutters get dug and the peoples’ hopes are raised high at the beginning. Then road is promptly abandoned as soon as election ends. Repetitively crushing the hopes of the electorate over and over again until they came to expect that the road would never be completed. Thus, it was a very welcome surprise when the road was actually worked on and brought to a proper finish at the end of the same year.

Another welcomed development is the newly constructed 13-kilometer Nike Lake Junction-Harmony Estate-Amorji Nike- Adoration Pilgrimage Centre — Orie Emene road, that runs across the thick forest of Umuchigbo community in Enugu East Local Government Area of the state and helps decongest traffic within the region.

This road now links the ever-busy populated Abakpa Nike with Emene satellite town. At its inauguration, the governor noted that the bypass would open up development at the Harmony Estate and provide access to the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, which is currently undergoing massive rehabilitation.

Governor Ugwuanyi also stated that the project will help grow the local economy and open new economic corridors to drive the stimulation of commerce and creation of job opportunities for the teeming youth populace.

According to one student residing in Emene, she no longer loses up to 30 minutes daily because of traffic jams she used to encounter along the Abakpa- Emene road. With the new road, the back and forth journey from school to home is no longer one she dreads.

In recent times as we deal with the covid pandemic, the governor has spurred to action and is currently reconstructing the former Colliery hospital to serve as an Infectious Disease Hospital and double as an isolation center for persons infected with the Corona virus.

Despite the current infrastructural efforts worth commending due to this present administration, there is still more left to accomplish. The current Enugu Onitsha express way is nothing to write home about and in need of fixing. The road is a deathtrap, fraught with stories of various accidents.

Most travelers now use the longer Ngwo road route which is blocked for the trucks and heavy duty vehicles who do not have a choice but to continue using the Enugu- Onitsha Express way. Most of the fatal accidents recorded in the state in the past years have occurred on that road and even if it falls under the Federal jurisdiction, the state government has a role to play in pushing for its repair/

This year, the current administration began building pedestrian bridges at Holy Ghost and Gariki.

Yet, from speaking with some drivers who ply the roads, they believe a flyover would have been a more effective solution since the traffic congestion is usually due to vehicles and not pedestrians.

Some see it as a misplaced priority and waste of state resources as people may never see a reason to use them. Since the constructions are still half way, I believe that it is not too late to build what will be most beneficial to the public at large. At strategic points such as Mayor, Gariki, Holy Ghost, and Abakpa, there is a great need to put up flyovers to decongest traffic.

In developing countries, lack of infrastructure is a far more serious barrier to trade than tariffs and this administration has shown that they will ensure that such barriers are reduced. Governor Ugwuanyi has consistently shown so far to be one who pays attention to the demands and opinions of his people and I look forward to him addressing this important issue as he continues to serve the people of Enugu state.

Originally published at http://discoverenugu042.wordpress.com on September 14, 2020.