Enugu is characterized by a unique urban planned environment which bore features of natural cum human patterned landscape, widely admired by both the indigenous people and visitors.
As the capital of the old eastern region, Enugu had in the past, exhibited realities of what is obtained in the approved standard for urban planning especially in the parcellation and the positioning of the city.
Regrettably, successive governments of the state did little to maintain the original Master Plan of Enugu. Poor standardization, violation of planning standards, non compliance with development control measures, inadequate information on planning and poor legislative framework for the enhancement of the operation of Town Planners held sway instead. A more deteriorated form of the aforementioned compromise resulted in unwarranted squalor settlements and urban sprawl began to suffuse. The age-long revered city, no doubt needed an urgent and untainted resuscitation to halt her from further deterioration.
To what may be seen as a major revitalization of urban settlements and keeping up with the current urban planning realities, Gov. Ugwuanyi approved for an immediate implementation of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) based land administration system with an aim to digitalize land allocation and ensure functional land development across the state. Other landmark inputs includes; the development of Urban Master Plan for 9th mile corner; Design/parcellation of layouts (Federation layout II, Ngwuagu Abor, Gateway and New GRA Nsukka); Development of Nsukka Urban Master Plan; Purchase of specialist equipment for town planning/survey department and determination of inter-origin transformation perimeter for Enugu State.
Gov.Ugwuanyi equally sought for a successful relocation of Kenyatta building materials market to its permanent site in Ugwuaji International Building Materials market in it’s determined efforts to reposition and improve the quality of Enugu cityscape. A development, which opened up space for free traffic flows along Uwani carriage ways.
It is interesting to observe that our Governor, who took over the reins of government in 2015 seem to have mastered a clear vision for Enugu State Master plan.
A cursory look at the array of housing developments springing up in and around the city center especially the ones executed by his administration reveals a new mega city in total sync with conventional urban planning standards. This no doubt implies good fortune for the future of town planning in Enugu State.
To comply with the current trends in urban planning, Gov.Ugwuanyi had consciously engaged Environmental professionals/Experts to design befitting housing estates such as Valley Estate and Rangers Estate among others. In conformity with global best practices, these grand Neighbourhood or settlements bore aesthetical landscaping, strong design structures, road connectivity/accessibility, availability of basic Neighbourhood amenities and most importantly, the siting of these smart city estates in a conducive and serene environment.
No doubt, the expertise of Hon. Lambert Agu as the boss of Enugu State Housing Development Corporation had helped to translate Gov.Ugwuanyi’s vision to transform Enugu State into a Mega city of sort. To improve the networks of road and accessibility, which urban planning seek to address, the administration of Ugwuanyi created so many alternative routes across the State unlike in the years gone by, when one would have to access an area using one route. Today, it is either you travel to Nsukka by routing through Abakpa or 9th Mile. And for the people of Anambra state, particularly, travellers going to Aguata and Orumba South LGA, the era of long journey had been made minimal, following the aggressive rehabilitation, extension and opening up of strategic roads that links Anambra with Enugu State.
It is clear that Gov. Ugwuanyi had not hidden his good vision for the good people of Enugu State as clearly demonstrated in his genuine efforts towards making our peaceful State, a desired home for all.
Bibian Anekwe News. … Added…Inspiration is the windfall from hard work and focus.
Written by
Gibson Uchenna Ilozuru
A Political Analyst
Media Team Member: Enugu di n’akachukwu movement
