The administration of Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has awarded contracts for another set of development projects that are critical to its urban renewal strategy, totaling over N1.4 billion.
Briefing newsmen on the outcome of the meeting of the State Executive Council (EXCO), the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Greg Nnaji, explained that the bulk of the contracts awarded were for the construction of 10 units of Executive Guest House at the old Governor’s Lodge, G.R.A, Enugu, for routine guests of the state government.
Engr. Nnaji, who stated that the council was concerned that Enugu State Government has never had a guest house for its visitors in spite of its status as the historic capital of Eastern Region, old Anambra State, old Enugu State and the capital of present Enugu State, described the 10-unit guest house as “a legacy project”.
The commissioner disclosed that the council gave the approval to save money for the government in line with its adherence to prudent management of resources, adding that it “will put to rest the speculations on what the state government intended to do with that property”, which served as the headquarters of the Post Primary Schools Management Board (PPSMB) before it was relocated to Independence Layout, Enugu.
He further explained that the state-of-the-art housing project which was captured in 2018 budget are duplexes, “made up of four bedrooms on the first floor, all ensuite and the ground floor that occupies the main doors, the dinning, the kitchen and one other room”, stressing that they are “considered as one of the best modern day guest houses in our present times”
Engr. Nnaji said that his ministry had carried out clearing work at the site preparatory to the immediate commencement of construction, “so that the good people of Enugu State will continue to have belief in God and the capability of His Excellency, the governor to deliver the dividends of democracy”.
Also approved by the EXCO, according to the works commissioner, were execution of some road projects in the state, at the cost of over N945 million “to ease transportation and mobility of our people”.
Engr. Nnaji, who pointed out that “the roads are so important to our people”, listed them to include Ebonyi Paint Road, Awkunanaw, Enugu South LGA; Owerre Ezukala Close, Independence Layout, Enugu, Enugu North LGA; rural roads in the state – Abor Road and St. Mary Ngwo, Nsude Road under RAMP II; and the access road and internal roads in the Police Mobile Force Squadron 3, Gariki, Awkunanaw, Enugu South LGA, which he noted was “the first time any government is intervening on the roads for our dear officers and men of the Nigerian Police Force”.
In his brief, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Ogbuagu Anikwe told newsmen that the council approved an Executive Bill initiated by the state government to give a legal backing for School of Nursing, Midwifery and Lab Technicians, Bishop Shanahan Hospital, Nsukka, to enable it get fully accredited as required by the law.
Mr. Anikwe noted that the bill to be forwarded to the Enugu State House of Assembly will be a universal bill to accommodate any other similar institution that will be seeking accreditation as trainers of nurses, midwives and lab technicians.
