Gov. Mbah and the Opening of Enugu Link Roads

By Samson Ezea

In commemoration of his one year in office, Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah of Enugu State commissioned several completed roads among the 71 roads he flagged off for construction and reconstruction towards the end of last year. While not all the completed roads were advertised as commissioned, this reflects Governor Mbah’s governance style, which does not prioritize publicity stunts over awarded and completed infrastructural projects.

Despite the low-key approach to commissioning, work has not stopped on new or yet-to-be-completed roads. Many of the roads he awarded have been completed and are already in use without a formal commissioning ceremony. Governor Mbah seems to prefer substance over fanfare, focusing on actual development rather than ceremonies.

Governor Mbah’s administration aims to construct and reconstruct approximately 10,000 kilometers of roads over the next eight years. Among the 71 roads flagged off last year are significant projects like the 40-kilometer Owo-Ubahu-Amakanu-Neke-Ikem dual carriageway, Ama Brewery-Ezeagu-Uzo-Uwani road, Premier Layout road, GRA-Damija Trans Ekulu road, Maryland-Timber Shade-Achara Layout, and others, totaling around 400 kilometers.

Many of these roads, such as the Trans Ekulu-Damija road, College road, Premier Layout road, Golf Estate road, Silver Street Camp road, and New Haven Market-Phone Village road, have been completed. Meanwhile, work continues aggressively on others, including some not initially among the 71 awarded roads, especially within the metropolis and suburbs.

Recently, I was surprised to see some critics questioning and criticizing the quality and number of kilometers of the roads being constructed and rehabilitated by Governor Mbah’s administration without offering expertise, facts, or considering their importance. As a non-engineer, one noticeable feature of the roads constructed by Governor Mbah’s administration is the presence of drainages and erosion channels on both sides, enhancing their durability.

The construction and reconstruction of these awarded roads, especially the link roads in the suburbs, significantly ease movement, improve transportation, and bring great relief to residents by reducing traffic snarls in the metropolis and its environs. I personally experienced this improvement recently at the New Haven last bus stop while rushing a friend to the airport. Encountering a light traffic snarl, I made a detour onto a newly reconstructed link road, which allowed us to reach the airport in time.

These link roads, though not thousands of kilometers long, play a crucial role in addressing and easing previously perennial traffic issues. Their value and impact on traffic flow in the New Haven area and across Enugu metropolis and suburbs are unprecedented and commendable.

Before the reconstruction of these link roads, I was unaware of their existence. Governor Mbah’s efforts in opening up these routes through massive reconstruction are notable. Critics who question the whereabouts of the promised 10,000 kilometers of roads after just one year in office, without acknowledging the completed and ongoing projects, are neither constructive nor fair.

It is worth noting that Governor Mbah never promised to construct 10,000 kilometers of roads in one year. The falsehoods being spread on social media by opposition figures misrepresent his administration’s realistic and ongoing efforts.