Enugu State aims to create a $30 billion economy and become one of the best in the South East, according to Governor Peter Mbah.
Mbah said this in a post he shared on his X account on Sunday night after the meeting of the Enugu State Executive Council which he chaired at the weekend.
“At the meeting of the Enugu State Executive Council which I chaired at the weekend, we made consequential decisions to double down on our infrastructural projects aimed at bringing our state closer to our vision of creating a $30 billion economy and becoming the premier destination for business, investment, tourism and living,” Mbah wrote.
He stated that the council approved N183 billion for the construction of 141 roads in Enugu city and 20 rural roads in the three senatorial zones.
It also approved the award of 133 more smart schools, adding to the ongoing 127 to bring the total to 260 or one smart school per electoral ward.
“This is consistent with our current 2024 budget, which allocates over N400 billion to capital expenditure, representing a capital expenditure to budget ratio of over 80% and a recurrent expenditure to budget ratio of about 20%,” Mbah explained.
He said the 20 roads covered across the three senatorial districts in this phase are as follows: Dualization of the 41.3km Abakpa Nike-Opi-Nsukka Road with bridges, dualisation of Penocks Junction – Nike Lake Road to T-Junction Flyover, Nomeh-Mburubu-Nara Road with two bridges, Umabi-Ehuhe Achi with a spur to Agbudu-Ihe-Owelli-Ogugu by Enugu-Port Harcourt old road, Nomeh-Oduma Road, Mburubu-Nkereffi Road, and Amodu-Akpugo Road.
Also in this phase are Iheaka-Ibagwa Road, Ibagwa-Itchi-Unadu-Alor Agu-Ibeje Road, Amagunze-Ihuokpara-Ugbawka Road with a bridge, Obeleagu Umana (Nkwo Ezeagu)-Omughu Umana-Aguobu-Umumba Road, Nara-Nkerefi Road with a bridge, Amagunze-Akpawfu Raod, Amagu-Attakwu-Akegbe Ugwu-Akpasha Road, Obinagu Udi-Isu Awa Road, and Nsukka-Ibagwa-Ogurute-Ette Road.
Others are Obuofia-Obeagu-Akegbe Ugwu Road, Obinofia-Ndiagu-Ugwuoba Road by Enugu-Onitsha expressway, Orie Engine-Aguobu-Umumba-Ebenebe Road to Anambra State border, Ituku Roads, Ozalla Roads, among others.
“For the 141 urban roads, we were intentional in ensuring that all the zones, namely, Emene, Thinkers Corner, Abakpa, Trans Ekulu/New GRA/Old GRA, Awkunanaw (Achara Layout/Uwani/Gariki), Independence Layout, Ogui/Asata, and Coal Camp were covered,” Mbah explained.
He stated that his administration is committed to improving the quality of life in the rural communities in Enugu State while derisking agricultural investments, thereby creating wealth, jobs and addressing fragilities.
“We are focused on increasing productivity and moving produce from farms to agro-processing facilities and markets. Our heavy investments in road infrastructure will connect the dots,” Mbah said.
