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SENATOR NGWU DEPLORES STATE OF FEDERAL ROADS IN ENUGU
Alarmed by the terrible condition of federal roads in Enugu state, the Senator representing Enugu West senatorial zone at the Senate, Senator Osita Ngwu, has urged the federal government to release funds promptly to enable the completion of critical road projects in Enugu state, notably the old Enugu-Onitsha and the 9th Mile-Orokam roads.
Senator Ngwu who made this call during a recent inspection tour alongside members of the State House of Assembly and other leaders of the zone, emphasised the importance of the old Enugu-Onitsha road, which has been undergoing reconstruction since 2019.
The projects are being handled by Arab Contractors and the ongoing 9th Mile-Orokam road being handled by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), respectively.
Speaking during the tour, Ngwu, who is the Senate Minority Whip, said the old Enugu-Onitsha road, which stretches to Opi junction, through Ukehe-Okpatu- Umulumgbe – Udi-Oji from the Anambra border, was awarded since 2019 and it is one of the major roads that connects the Southeast to the Northern region.
The senator noted that funds had been appropriated for the project at the Senate; adding that what was left was for the Minister of Finance to release funds for the completion of the project.
Ngwu praised former governor of Enugu state, Barrister Sullivan Chime for constructing the Enugu-Ugwogo-Opi road, which remained the primary motorable route connecting the Southeast to the North, especially amid the deteriorating condition of alternative routes.
He also commended the current governor, Peter Mbah, for awarding contracts for the dualisation of key roads, including the Enugu-Ugwuogo-Opi road that serves as the only road from Enugu to the North.
The senator expressed frustration over the slow release of funds, stating, “If the government is not prepared to make funds available, then it shouldn’t award road projects in the first place.
“And you cannot even talk about economic growth when the roads are bad,”.
“If Barrister Sullivan Chime did not come to our rescue by constructing the Enugu – Opi road, maybe we won’t be travelling to the North again. Indeed, we appreciate our present governor, Barrister Peter Mbah, for awarding the contract for the dualisation of the Enugu-Ugwuogo – Opi Road and many other roads in the state.
“You cannot even talk about economic growth when the roads are bad.” He added that poor road infrastructure contributes to feelings of marginalisation among residents.
“We want to use this medium to call on the President to come to our rescue,” he appealed.
