The Enugu State Executive Council has allocated funds for road repairs throughout the state, with a total of 1,250 km of highways set for restoration, renovation, and extension over the next year.
Briefing reporters shortly after the State Executive Council meeting at Government House in Enugu on Friday evening, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Aka Eze Aka, said the rains had delayed road repairs, emphasising that roads asphalted during the rainy season only last a few years, whereas the state government planned to build roads with a lifespan of up to 30 years.
Eze, who was accompanied 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, apologised to the state’s residents for the suffering they were experiencing as a result of the state’s poor road conditions and urged them to exercise a little more patience as repair and reconstruction work was about to begin.
The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr Gerald Otiji, provided further information on the Council’s choices and reaffirmed that the first phase would include the rehabilitation of 71 urban roads and 10 rural roads. He also promised that the work will start in the next days and weeks.
According to him:
“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.”
cc: Daily Post Ng
