The Enugu State Executive Council (EXCO) has approved the sum of N2,572,686,367 for the immediate construction of new class room blocks and renovation of dilapidated structures in both primary and junior secondary schools in the state under the state’s Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB), totalling 208 in number.
Part of the approval, aimed at improving the standard of education and creating a conducive learning environment in the state, according to the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Uche Eze, who briefed newsmen after the meeting of the council, was the procurement of classroom plastic chairs and desks, white boards and sporting equipment.
Prof. Uche also disclosed that the council in keeping with the four-point agenda of Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration as it concerns quality education and welfare of workers, approved N271 million as bailout fund to Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) to enable the institution offset the remaining 7 months monetization arrears owed its workers.
The education commissioner explained that prior to the inception of the present administration, ESUT workers were owed 14 months arrears of their monetization, recalling that the state government three months ago had approved an equivalent amount for the institution, which was used to pay the first phase of 7 months arrears, accordingly.
“These arrears of monetization owed the staff of ESUT dated back as far as 2006. This is the money owed by previous administrations. But His Excellency in his magnanimity and concern for the welfare of staff of the state has made this fund available to make these workers happy and motivate them to put in more efforts to ensure that educational delivery is improved”, Prof. Eze said.
He also stated that the council in its determination to ensure a speedy relocation of the Enugu State College of Education Technical from its temporary site in Enugu urban to the permanent site in Ihe, Awgu Local Government Area, also approved the sum of N14.6 million for the clearing of the site, erection of perimeter fence and creation of access road in the new site.
The commissioner added that the speedy relocation of the school to Ihe, Awgu L.G.A will open up the area to development and economic activities in line with the rural development agenda of the present administration, stressing that “the government is fast fulfilling her promises to the people of the state, and Awgu in particular”.
Also briefing newsmen, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Greg Nnaji announced that the state government in continuation of its “aggressive” infrastructural development initiatives both in urban and rural areas, extended the newly flagged off 4-kilometer Nkwo Inyi-Akpugoeze-Anambra State border road, phase one, by 2 kilometers.
Engr. Nnaji told newsmen that the decision for the extension was to cover the length and breadth of Nkwo Inyi and Akpugoeze, adding that the contract was awarded to the same construction company handling the initial contract, Ambeez Services Ltd at the cost of N326.6 million.
The works commissioner also briefed newsmen that the council approved the award of contract for the installation of solar powered smart street lighting system within the surroundings of New Market, Enugu in keeping faith with the state government’s urban renewal agenda and to complement the already installed ones from the Aguabor-New Market dual carriageway into the city of Enugu.
Engr. Nnaji further explained that the contract, which was awarded to Fordmax Nig. Ltd at the cost of N34, 455,000, will cover NCFC roundabout to Milliken Hill road barrier; New Market roundabout by Civil Defence state headquarters to works road; New Market roundabout to Ekulu Primary School and New Market roundabout to NCFC roundabout.
He noted that the project when completed will light up the entire areas at night, enhance security and beautify the city of Enugu as the historical capital of the South East geo-political zone.
The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Ogbuagu Anikwe, while throwing more light on the outcome of the council’s meeting stated that approval was given for the regularization of road traffic cadets of the Ministry of Transports (MOT), who are still working as casual staff.
He added that the council in furtherance of the renewed efforts of the state government to upgrade and reposition Nike Lake Resort Hotel, Enugu, approved the sum of N56 million for immediate purchase of power generating set, disclosing that experts were invited to look into the issue of water treatment plant and advise government on the best ways to address the problem of shortage of water in the hotel.
