The Enugu State Executive Council has approved funds for road repairs in the state, saying a total of 1,250 kilometres of roads had been slated for rehabilitation, reconstruction and expansion in the next one year.
Briefing newsmen shortly after the State Executive Council meeting held at the Government House, Enugu, Friday evening, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Aka Eze Aka, said the road repairs were delayed by the rains, stressing that roads asphalted during the rainy season do not last more than a few years, whereas the state government was planning to build roads with up to 30 years lifespan.
Eze, who was flanked by the Commissioners for Finance and Economic Development, Dr. Nathaniel Uramah; Works and Infrastructure, Engr Gerald Otiji; and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, apologized to the people of the state for the pains they were going through due to the poor condition of the roads, urging them to be a little more patient as repair and reconstruction works were about to commence.
Giving more details on the decisions of the Council, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr Gerald Otiji reiterated that a total of 71 urban roads and 10 rural roads would be rehabilitated under the first phase, assuring that work would commence in the next few days and weeks.
“The Executive Council today approved the release of funds for us to commence work. We apologize to Ndi Enugu for the plights they are going through as a result of the potholes on our roads. You will bear me witness that by the time we pronounced the 81 roads for repairs and reconstruction, the rains continued unabatedly. You all should know that the worst enemy of asphalt is water. We have been watching the situation using metrological instruments to know how soon to commence work.
“I want to also let you know that the governor knows about the plight of our people. He personally joined us in the inspection of all the streets slated for repairs in Enugu metropolis. We went to Emene, we went to Abakpa market, we were at Trans Ekulu, Iva Valley, Coal Camp, Idaw River, Awkunanaw, Achara Layout, Uwani, Kenyatta, Zik Avenue, Ogui Road, New Layout, Premier Layout/Goshen area, the New Enugu area, New Heaven and Independence Layout.
“In all these areas, we have identified the major bottlenecks, the repairs and reconstruction will commence in the next few days and weeks, and we will strictly follow the due process in doing so. The repair works on most of them will go on at the same time”, he said.
Engr Otiji said the Council also approved some strategic rural and inter-local government roads selected to ensure spread across the three senatorial zones of the state, noting that more of such roads would be captured in next year’s budget. He listed the roads as the Owo – Ubahu – Amankanu – Neke – Ikem road, planned as a dual carriageway to connect the Obollo Afor without passing through Enugu city, opening an alternative major traffic corridor to Abuja and the North Central market; dualization of the Abakpa Nike – Ugwuogo Nike – Opi road; the Amechi Idodo – Amagunze road, an entirely new single carriageway with two bridges to link communities in Nkanu East LGA by road for the first time; the Ama brewery junction – Eke – Akama Oghe – Iwollo – Umulokpa road linking Uzo Uwani LGA with a spur to Aguobu Owa in Ezeagu LGA; and the Akwuke Road in Enugu South LGA, from the Police Station through Gariki to the site of the proposed mass housing project in the area.
He said the Abakaliki road from the airport flyover to the Ebonyi State border would also be dualized in collaboration with the federal government, adding that the state government had held discussions with the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, on how to speed up works on the Enugu end of the Enugu-Onitsha expressway.
“The Executive Council also approved funds for ‘Operation Zero Pothole Tolerance’ in Enugu metropolis. Because of the paucity of funds, we would want to touch every single street, but definitely we will do so bit by bit”, he said.
On the recent collapse of a bridge at the Enugu end of the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway, Engr Otiji sympathized with the people of the state for the hardships they were passing through due to the traffic gridlocks following the collapse, expressing hope that remedial interventions were imminent.
“We are aware of the untold hardship the broken bridge has caused on people and the enormous wear and tear it is causing on our roads. Yesterday, we had meetings with the Minster of Works in Abuja, and as at that yesterday, the integrity of the second bridge was checked. Our intention is to strengthen that bridge so that we can divert traffic on it, repair the collapsed part, and then repair the second one. That is on-going. Only on Wednesday, one of our own, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji representing Nkanu East and West Federal Constituency raised a motion about it on the floor of the House of Representatives and instantly, the House passed a resolution for the minister to access the funds that he needs”, he said.
On the sources of funding for the road projects, the Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Dr. Nathaniel Uramah said they could not be funded from the meagre accruals from the federal allocations, saying the government was relying on enhanced internally generated revenues.
He said: “The question people have been asking is, ‘how do we finance the road projects that run into billions of naira?’ You can see we are making tremendous efforts to increase our internally generated revenues given the lean resources we are getting from the federation account. We are increasing our revenues by blocking loopholes in revenue collection. We have eliminated the use of contractors for revenue collection. We have also ended manual and cash payments to individuals and introduced the electronic ticketing system for accountability, openness, transparency, and fund traceability.
“We urge the public to cooperate with the Enugu State Board of Internal Revenue so that we can enhance revenue generation and be able to fund these projects. This administration is planning to embark on massive projects, which will require a lot of resources. So, we are imploring the people and residents of our state to support the government in making their little contributions to ensure that our internally generated revenue is collected seamlessly, seeing that what is collected will be utilised for the benefits of the masses. So, that is how these projects will be funded,” Dr. Uramah said.
Afriquecast
The Enugu State Executive Council has approved funds for road repairs in the state, saying a total of 1,250 kilometres of roads had been slated for rehabilitation, reconstruction and expansion in the next one year.
Briefing newsmen shortly after the State Executive Council meeting held at the Government House, Enugu, Friday evening, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Aka Eze Aka, said the road repairs were delayed by the rains, stressing that roads asphalted during the rainy season do not last more than a few years, whereas the state government was planning to build roads with up to 30 years lifespan.
Eze, who was flanked by the Commissioners for Finance and Economic Development, Dr. Nathaniel Uramah; Works and Infrastructure, Engr Gerald Otiji; and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, apologized to the people of the state for the pains they were going through due to the poor condition of the roads, urging them to be a little more patient as repair and reconstruction works were about to commence.
Giving more details on the decisions of the Council, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr Gerald Otiji reiterated that a total of 71 urban roads and 10 rural roads would be rehabilitated under the first phase, assuring that work would commence in the next few days and weeks.
“The Executive Council today approved the release of funds for us to commence work. We apologize to Ndi Enugu for the plights they are going through as a result of the potholes on our roads. You will bear me witness that by the time we pronounced the 81 roads for repairs and reconstruction, the rains continued unabatedly. You all should know that the worst enemy of asphalt is water. We have been watching the situation using metrological instruments to know how soon to commence work.
“I want to also let you know that the governor knows about the plight of our people. He personally joined us in the inspection of all the streets slated for repairs in Enugu metropolis. We went to Emene, we went to Abakpa market, we were at Trans Ekulu, Iva Valley, Coal Camp, Idaw River, Awkunanaw, Achara Layout, Uwani, Kenyatta, Zik Avenue, Ogui Road, New Layout, Premier Layout/Goshen area, the New Enugu area, New Heaven and Independence Layout.
“In all these areas, we have identified the major bottlenecks, the repairs and reconstruction will commence in the next few days and weeks, and we will strictly follow the due process in doing so. The repair works on most of them will go on at the same time”, he said.
Engr Otiji said the Council also approved some strategic rural and inter-local government roads selected to ensure spread across the three senatorial zones of the state, noting that more of such roads would be captured in next year’s budget. He listed the roads as the Owo – Ubahu – Amankanu – Neke – Ikem road, planned as a dual carriageway to connect the Obollo Afor without passing through Enugu city, opening an alternative major traffic corridor to Abuja and the North Central market; dualization of the Abakpa Nike – Ugwuogo Nike – Opi road; the Amechi Idodo – Amagunze road, an entirely new single carriageway with two bridges to link communities in Nkanu East LGA by road for the first time; the Ama brewery junction – Eke – Akama Oghe – Iwollo – Umulokpa road linking Uzo Uwani LGA with a spur to Aguobu Owa in Ezeagu LGA; and the Akwuke Road in Enugu South LGA, from the Police Station through Gariki to the site of the proposed mass housing project in the area.
He said the Abakaliki road from the airport flyover to the Ebonyi State border would also be dualized in collaboration with the federal government, adding that the state government had held discussions with the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, on how to speed up works on the Enugu end of the Enugu-Onitsha expressway.
“The Executive Council also approved funds for ‘Operation Zero Pothole Tolerance’ in Enugu metropolis. Because of the paucity of funds, we would want to touch every single street, but definitely we will do so bit by bit”, he said.
On the recent collapse of a bridge at the Enugu end of the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway, Engr Otiji sympathized with the people of the state for the hardships they were passing through due to the traffic gridlocks following the collapse, expressing hope that remedial interventions were imminent.
“We are aware of the untold hardship the broken bridge has caused on people and the enormous wear and tear it is causing on our roads. Yesterday, we had meetings with the Minster of Works in Abuja, and as at that yesterday, the integrity of the second bridge was checked. Our intention is to strengthen that bridge so that we can divert traffic on it, repair the collapsed part, and then repair the second one. That is on-going. Only on Wednesday, one of our own, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji representing Nkanu East and West Federal Constituency raised a motion about it on the floor of the House of Representatives and instantly, the House passed a resolution for the minister to access the funds that he needs”, he said.
On the sources of funding for the road projects, the Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Dr. Nathaniel Uramah said they could not be funded from the meagre accruals from the federal allocations, saying the government was relying on enhanced internally generated revenues.
He said: “The question people have been asking is, ‘how do we finance the road projects that run into billions of naira?’ You can see we are making tremendous efforts to increase our internally generated revenues given the lean resources we are getting from the federation account. We are increasing our revenues by blocking loopholes in revenue collection. We have eliminated the use of contractors for revenue collection. We have also ended manual and cash payments to individuals and introduced the electronic ticketing system for accountability, openness, transparency, and fund traceability.
“We urge the public to cooperate with the Enugu State Board of Internal Revenue so that we can enhance revenue generation and be able to fund these projects. This administration is planning to embark on massive projects, which will require a lot of resources. So, we are imploring the people and residents of our state to support the government in making their little contributions to ensure that our internally generated revenue is collected seamlessly, seeing that what is collected will be utilised for the benefits of the masses. So, that is how these projects will be funded,” Dr. Uramah said.
By Emmanuel Luper
143 views
Comments
Leave a Comment
Recent Comments
Good thing they are rising for what is right, kudos
Posted on Sep 04, 2024 at 03:57 PMNice one! Aka Eze Aka all the way🙌🏾
Posted on Sep 04, 2024 at 09:00 PMLovely.. AKA EZE AKA man of the people..
Posted on Sep 04, 2024 at 09:23 PMПолностью трендовые новинки модного мира. Актуальные события самых влиятельных подуимов. Модные дома, торговые марки, haute couture. Лучшее место для стильныех хайпбистов. https://chenews.ru/chepub/387-avariynye-derevya-novye-pravila-v-chelyabinske/
Posted on Sep 05, 2024 at 02:51 AMWhat's up to all, hhow is the whole thing, I think every one is getting more from this web site, and your views are nice in favor of new visitors. https://bandur-ART.Blogspot.com/2024/08/the-ultimate-guide-to-no-mans-sky-mods.html
Posted on Sep 05, 2024 at 10:25 PM<a href="https://1xbetin.com/">1xBet Review</a>
Posted on Sep 06, 2024 at 12:04 AMFantastic moves all hands should be on deck to deliver Ogalla
Posted on Sep 06, 2024 at 11:25 AMHello afriquecast.com administrator, You always provide clear explanations and step-by-step instructions.
Posted on Sep 06, 2024 at 10:00 PMThat's very good 😊 but I wished he gave his brothers and sisters scholarships and also sponsored many of his home town you. By now all academics will be talking of him and his awards.
Posted on Sep 06, 2024 at 11:12 PMhttps://khelraja-india.com/khelraja-login-and-registration/
Posted on Sep 07, 2024 at 07:59 AMGod is not a man that He should lie.He will surely continue to do new things in our lifetime. GLORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted on Sep 07, 2024 at 10:35 AMGod is not a man that He should lie.He will surely continue to do new things in our lifetime. GLORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted on Sep 07, 2024 at 10:36 AMTell him that game's village Awgu is a tourist center capable of generating huge internal revenue.
Posted on Sep 07, 2024 at 01:48 PMEthical Leadership Centre, Enugu recognising visionary leadership is certainly a milestone towards 'making excellence the norm'. Big thanks to Chief Ben Etiaba for his tireless effort to improve our society and it's pillars.
Posted on Sep 10, 2024 at 09:51 AMYes Rangers! Our darling team was the hope of everyone across the niger to get thrilled and be happy. Rangers was the binding wire that bound the faith of the IGBO MAN together. Because the Igbos does not believe in anybody, rather the Igbo-man believes in self and God. He believes in what he can do for himself and others. Otherwise, how could a people in a war situation be cut off from outside world, they were not getting relief materials from the world bodies, no ammunition and the rest, and things got most trying and difficult. But in such horrible state of life, the IGBO-MAN produce the great bomb fondly called (Ojukwu bucket or Ogbunigwe) that destroys and kills in multiple folds, produced fighter jets which they used during the war, the Igbo-man produced his own fuel both for aviation and automotive uses. The Igbo-man started live again after the war with just twenty pounds only and excelled beyond imagination. Rangers FC was a reincarnated spirit of Igbo-man, that of course was the reason Rangers took over the football sphere in Nigeria shortly after it was founded in early 70's. Well let me come back before I go adrift Rangers International FC. I appreciate my brother Chief Ben Etiaba "Ifennia" founder Ethical Leadership Center Enugu, for the good job he is doing , especially in fishing out our men and women of substance who has paid their dues in their different callings and honouring them duly. Finally, my Congratulations goes to Dr. Joseph Ugboaja the Chief Medical Director Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi for his milestone achievement so far at NAUTH. I also congratulate the young enterprising Director of Rangers management board chief Ugboaku for his visionary leadership and achievements. God bless you all, and let the flame keep burning!
Posted on Sep 10, 2024 at 05:25 PMPainful. Ijele colleague
Posted on Sep 13, 2024 at 02:03 PMHi this is somewat of off topic but I waas wanting to know iff blogs usse WYSIWYG editors orr iff you hazve too manually code with HTML. I'm starting a blog ssoon but have no coding expertise so I wanyed to get guidance from someone with experience. Any help would be enormously appreciated! https://lvivforum.pp.ua/
Posted on Sep 14, 2024 at 01:12 AMМодные советы по выбору необычных луков на любой день. Статьи стилистов, события, все новые коллекции и шоу. https://vladtoday.ru/news/2024-09-10-10-prichin-za-chto-my-lyubim-demnu-gvasaliyu/
Posted on Sep 14, 2024 at 09:35 AMYou were hired by another community to come and fight for them, after which you got that land as compensation. And you think you will live in another man's land?Some of these Ebonyi people dont think straight
Posted on Sep 14, 2024 at 02:05 PMСтильные заметки по подбору модных видов на любой день. Мнения профессионалов, новости, все коллекции и шоу. https://vladtoday.ru/news/2024-09-10-10-prichin-za-chto-my-lyubim-demnu-gvasaliyu/
Posted on Sep 14, 2024 at 04:59 PMCan one person sell community land, accord to MrAlinta
Posted on Sep 14, 2024 at 10:17 PMCarry de go you are the man of universal love, The Lord choosing.one.
Posted on Sep 15, 2024 at 12:04 AM