Enugu: Two years, work in progress

For the people of Enugu State, who were before now victims of forlorn hope in the face of long years of official neglect and failed political promises effused by succeeding political gladiators during electioneering, the harvest of projects– completed and ongoing-being delivered by the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi strikes like a pleasant dream. Yet, the situation is a welcome stark reality. Governor Ugwuanyi’s subjects are now like characters in a picturesque dramatic rendition, who are made to recite and internalise rich expressions of Kalidasa, a philosopher who contends that “today well lived makes every yesterday (no matter how bad it was) a dream of happiness and tomorrow a vision of hope”.

This was the collective prevailing disposition of the people across the 17 local council areas of Enugu State last Tuesday as the governor cut tapes to inaugurate a total of 26 completed projects in the state, especially in the rural areas.

This was a fulfillment of the promise and declaration of the decision of the state government to execute a project worth N100m in each of the 17 local council areas of the state. At Igbo-Eze North council area, for instance, Olido community was the centre for the celebration of eight projects comprising six rural electrification projects in six communities and two motorized boreholes delivered to the people of the areas.

These are part of the 35 projects flagged off the same day for execution late last year by the governor. Besides, in some parts of the council area, the state government, working in partnership with the federal government, have also rebuilt and rehabilitated primary schools as well as structures for junior secondary schools. In these educational institutions, school buildings as well as other facilities have been completed. So, the people sang, they danced and went into hilarious celebrations when the representative of the governor on the occasion and commissioner for environment, Ambassador Fidel Ayogu, supported by the chairman of the local council, Comrade Uwakwe Ezeja, proclaimed the symbolic ‘let there be light’ as they cut the tape to mark the delivery of electricity to thousands of residents of the six communities, namely, Umuopu, Olido, Okpo, Umuonu, among others.

At the various locations designated across the state for the massive inauguration of completed projects to mark Ugwuanyi’s mid-term score card, the projects lined up included roads, water schemes, electricity, hospitals, buildings, among others. And the governor was
 represented at some of the locations by members of the state executive council. He told the jubilant crowd that execution of the projects is in keeping with his electioneering promise to drive development to every corner of the state with the aim of creating more urban centres to boost economic growth and improve the lives of the people at the grassroots.

Ugwuanyi explained that the development not only represented a concrete step towards another practical demonstration and capacity to fulfil his campaign promises to the people of Enugu State, despite the severe economic constraints facing the country, but would go a long way to reform and reshape their lives for the better.   He said: “You will recall that precisely on the 15th of October, 2016 and in fulfilment of the promise of the state government to execute a developmental project worth at least N100 million in each of the 17
local government areas of Enugu state, we simultaneously flagged off the execution of vital projects such as roads, water, electricity and others, in all the 17 local council areas of the state.”

Just as he pointed out that “it must also be re-emphasised that each of these projects was identified and specified by stakeholders in the respective local council areas of their location.” 

He urged the people to protect and preserve the projects to ensure that
they satisfy the objectives for which they were executed. Then, he thanked the stakeholders, local council officials, contractors and the host communities for their understanding, support and commitment, which he noted, culminated in the
successful completion of the projects.

In Awgu council area, Governor Ugwuanyi was represented by the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Godwin
Udeuhele, while in Aninri, his senior special assistant on projects, Hon Uche Ogbonna, stood in for him. The situation was different in Udi council area, where the Ibuzor Amokwe Station Road was also opened officially for use after completion.

Elsewhere in Udenu local council area, the people turned out in their large numbers as many road projects were inaugurated. The ceremony, which took place at Orba, along the Opi-Obollo Afor- Markurdi expressway presented a very happy moment.  The completed projects, which were  inaugurated and opened for use in Udenu included  Okpu Orba junction-Ehaba Agu Orba Primary School Road, Constructed Agu Orba-Iyi Ocha bridge, constructed Ohom Orba-Nkpo Orba
Market road among others. The state commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Mr. Solomon Onah represented the governor on the occasion while the leader of Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Ikechukwu Ezugwu, chairman of the local council area, Hon. Frank Ugwu as well as other dignitaries were present to witness the event.

Governor Ugwuanyi was personally at Nkanu East council area, where the Amechi Idodo- Amauzam- Amagunze Road and other projects were also officially opened to the delight of the rural dwellers especially as the area had earlier been designated, after a survey, to be the least developed council area in the state. The survey was commissioned by Ugwuanyi shortly after assumption of office. The governor was also at Nkanu West and Enugu East where sundry projects were also officially commissioned and certified for use by the excited people of the area.

In all the places where the ceremonies were held, it was outpour of good wishes, accolades and commendations for the man they all seemed to agree has turned out to be the most outstanding governor in the state. There was also the re-echoing of a refrain that has gained ground in the state of late.  That is, that come 2019, the people of the state would countenance no political party other than Ugwuanyi. And as they have been singing it, Ugwuanyi is our political party. Their reason is that since the creation of the state, no governor hast has piloted the affairs of the state like Ugwuanyi, who made all local council areas, all communities his own immediate constituency in terms of even development and appointments.

Abugu wrote from Independence Layout, Enugu