The Minister of State for Works, Power and Housing, Hon. Mustapha Babashehuri, yesterday commended Enugu state government for its exploits in developing the road infrastructure, especially for fixing some federal roads in the state.
He urged other state governments to borrow a leaf from Enugu state government, saying that such a positive disposition would catalyze speedy development in the country.
Babashehuri corroborated the claim of Enugu state government that it has fixed some federal roads in the state and that the federal government was expected to offset the cost of rebuilding the facilities.
The minister who inspected the roads along with other officials of his ministry urged other state governments to follow the example set by Enugu State Government to ensure rapid and even development in the country, adding that he “has not seen a single pothole in Enugu” throughout his period of inspection.
The roads inspected include Enugu-Abakiliki Dual Carriage way (from Abakpa junction to Airport Interchange) which is about 3.875 km, rehabilitated Ekulu Bridge to Airport junction- National Orthopedic Hospital Junction, Off Enugu-Abakiliki Highways, Old Emene Airport road (4.30km), and rehabilitated Agbani Road (Akwata Slope stabilization and Pedestrian Bridge) which is also about 8.30km.
The minister who was visibly satisfied with the level of works done on the roads said that government at the federal, state, and local levels should all make collaborative efforts towards provision of basic amenities in their respective areas.
“Government at the federal, states and local government levels should all make collaborative efforts towards provision of basic amenities in their respective areas. Every other state should key into what Enugu government has done to ensure rapid and even development in the country “, he stated.
Fielding questions from journalists, the state’s commissioner for works, Engr. Patrick Ikpenwa stated that the minister has given Enugu state an ‘A’ in all the roads visited, stressing that the claims of the state government are genuine.
“By His grace, his visit would fast-track the payment of the amount committed by the state government in constructing the roads. We are so pleased that having assessed roads, he has validated the claims of the state government” he said.
The commissioner equally stated that work has passed 20% completion in all other roads awarded by the state government for construction, stressing that work is also ongoing in other additional roads awarded by the state government some of which has reached 50% completion like Orie Emene Adoration ground while work on Airport- Orie Emene road has already been completed.
He disclosed that the state government made committed efforts to ensure free flow of traffics during yuletide which made movement of persons and vehicles very easy during the period especially around 9th Mile Corner, Ugwu Orba and Ugwuoye Ama roads adding that some palliative works were also done on so many roads around Enugu metropolis.
