Members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Enugu State Council, have inspected several ongoing projects of the Peter Mbah administration as part of efforts to gain first-hand knowledge of the government’s development programmes across the state.
The journalists, who embarked on the inspection on Monday, August 17, visited a number of infrastructure, agricultural and healthcare projects, including the ongoing dualisation of the Abakpa Nike–Opi–Nsukka Road.
One of the major features that attracted the team’s attention was the construction of a bypass along the route. According to the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Anyaorah Okereke, the bypass is expected to reduce the distance between Abakpa Nike in Enugu and Opi Junction by approximately five kilometres when completed.
He explained that the project was also conceived as a safety measure, particularly because motorists sometimes lose control while negotiating some of the bends along the existing road. The new alignment, he added, would improve visibility for motorists travelling in opposite directions and help reduce accidents.
The journalists also inspected work on a new dual-carriageway express road measuring more than 38 kilometres. The road is designed to connect communities including Owoh, Ubahu, Amankanu and Ikem, while providing an alternative route for travellers from Cross River, Ebonyi and other states heading towards northern Nigeria without having to pass through Enugu metropolis.
Okereke further disclosed that the road would provide a connection between Enugu and Benue states through Ikem in Enugu East Local Government Area, with the proposed link extending for about 80 kilometres.
Agriculture Gets Major Investment
The inspection also covered projects aimed at expanding agricultural production and improving food security in the state.
At Owo Community, the journalists observed the development of a large ranch occupying approximately 11,000 hectares. The facility is expected to support cattle production, dairy farming, piggery and other livestock-related activities.
In another agricultural initiative, the state government, working with Danish firm Notra Tractors Assembly Plant, has secured more than 150 operational tractors for use by farmers.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr. Patrick Uburu, said farmers would be able to hire the tractors at a subsidised rate of N70,000 per day.
He also disclosed that the government plans to train and employ about 200 unemployed youths to participate in tractor assembly and provide machine-operating services to farmers.
The Managing Director of Notra Tractors Assembly Plant and Service, Mr Morten Andersen, praised the state government’s agricultural initiatives and expressed his company’s continued support for efforts to increase food production in Enugu.
Healthcare Facilities Receive Attention
The team later visited the Type 2 Primary Health Care Centre at Ihe Nsukka, where officials highlighted some of the facilities available to residents.
The Officer in Charge, Mrs Attah Blessing Ngozi, said the centre operates around the clock and benefits from solar power provided by the state government as well as a functional borehole.
The Chairman of Nsukka Local Government Area, Mr Jude Asogwa, said similar services were available in other Type 2 healthcare facilities across the local government area.
He also pointed to the oxygen gas plant at the facility, describing it as an important resource for treating and stabilising critically ill patients.
Asogwa disclosed that the state government had approved the establishment of a N1 billion oxygen plant at Nsukka General Hospital as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery in the area.
The latest inspection followed an earlier phase of the journalists’ facility tour, which began on August 10 with visits to several projects, including the Enugu International Hospital, a medical complex being developed to provide international-standard healthcare and reduce the need for Nigerians to seek treatment abroad.
Other facilities visited included the revitalised Niget Gas Industrial Plant at Emene, Government Technical College, Enugu, and the Smart Green School along Abakaliki Road.
At the Smart Green School, the journalists observed the experiential learning approach being implemented by the state government as part of its education reform programme.
The facility tour is aimed at enabling journalists to independently assess the scale and progress of projects being undertaken by the Mbah administration across different sectors of Enugu State.