By Jeff Ejiofor
In line with Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s policy to expand development and accommodate the increasing influx of people to Enugu State, the 10.5km asphalted road with proper drainage system recently constructed by his administration was not only audacious but a visionary initiative in the right direction for the actualization of the objective. The road which links Emene with Abakpa Nike through Harmony Estate and Adoration Ground is the longest single road constructed by any administration in Enugu metropolis since the inception of the state. The road apart from its length and durability because of proper drainage system, will certainly open up that axis for rapid development and expansion of the city having been an abandoned forest before now. According to Gov. Ugwuanyi during the commissioning of the project, the road will open up vistas of opportunity to improve the socio- economic life of Enugu residents who can now connect different parts of the city through the place with ease for increased economic activities. As a matter of fact, the road will expand development in such a way that the problem of accommodation occasioned by the rush from other people to settle in Enugu as a result of its current status as one of Nigeria’s fastest growing economies will be addressed.
Apparently, the cost of that project can comfortably asphalt more than half of Abakpa internal street roads which probably would have erroneously attracted more applause from the uninformed segment of the society who do not know the value of expansion and its importance to the economy of the state. Although I am not against maintaining the existing infrastructure, I am of the opinion that it should go pari passu with development of new ones. Rehabilitation of roads in existing settlements which Ugwuanyi does as well is good, but encoùraging new settlements through expansion of basic facilities will accelerate development more and reduce undue pressure on the available ones. Ugwuanyi has made it clear on several occasions that he is poised to create a mega city out of Enugu so that the city will continue to play a leading role in the urbanization process as the Eastern Nigeria’s Heartbeat where everyone is comfortably accommodated.
It is however disheartening that inspite of the good intentions of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Enugu State over this noble initiative, the detractors of his administration who incidentally are bent on pulling him down at all costs, had at inception unleashed media watchdogs on the road purposely to find fault. Coincidentally, after the commissioning, there was a devastating downpour which affected a tiny portion of the road due to a minor technical error. Although the problem was promptly fixed at the instance of Enugu State ministry of works, the feelings of those overzealous media urchins were not assuaged as they quickly capitalized on that and misinformed the public with negative propaganda. They magnified and painted a gloomy picture of the road to delibrately tarnish the image of the government. These amarture social media brats were all over the place creating false impression about the road and telling people it was poorly executed with sub-standard materials. As usual, they succeeded in deceiving the gullible section of the public and poisoned their minds about the road.
Fortunately, the current closure of the T Junction for the ongoing construction of Enugu’s first overhead flyover has provided an ample opportunity for the public to make an objective assessment of the road. The road has become an alternative route for those coming into Enugu from the northern flank who wish to connect the city through Emene. This wonderful opportunity has indeed given the public the needed leverage to judge and know who is actually deceiving Ndi Enugu for parochial political reasons. A ride on the road certainly will convince any doubting Thomas about the vision of Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to bequeath Enugu with durable road infrastructure that will endure and stand the test of time. It shows he is not given to playing to the gallery but determined to positively change the narratives as regards adequate road infrastructure in Enugu. The situation was so deplorable that the poor masses from Abakpa area who hitherto went through excrutiating hell to access Emene and environs can now heave a sigh of relief. In short, all that are now history as the road has come to the rescue.
From all indications,, it is now glaring that Ugwuanyi is an agent of development and has proven it beyond measures considering his policy of city expansion. The rapidity of development in Enugu State occasioned by opening up of rural access roads is unquantifiable. The Emene Link Road is just one of many such feats which is a clear manifestation of visionary leadership anchored on people oriented good governance. All attempts to rubbish his efforts on the all important road have failed and the truth has finally prevailed. The wind of change has taken over the entire landscape of Enugu to the admiration of the good people of the state. Ugwuanyi is a movement and posterity will surely be kind to him at the right time as his legacy mark on socio- political firmarment of Enugu State will endure. No amount of rants by politically frustrated folks who lack focus and the requisite capacity to decipher what good governance entails will affect the people’s governor. He is a change agent whose repositioning of the entire developmental architecture of Enugu State through sound policies will remain unparalelled for a very long time.
Enugu is in the hands of God!
BIBIAN ANEKWE NEWS.. “If you want to know what a man’s like, take a look at how he treats his inferiors not his equals.” Gov. ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is the hope of the poorest of the poor in Enugu state
Written by
Jeff Ejiofor
MEDIA TEAM MEMBER OF ENUGU DI N’AKACHUKWU MOVEMENT
