Over 60 Projects Completed In South-East – Presidency

The Presidency has denied claims that the Muhammadu Buhari government has not impacted positively the lives of residents of the South East.

Ezenwoko’s Blog reports that some stakeholders in the South-East and residents of the region have accused the Federal Government of marginalisation and abandonment.

But in a statement on Sunday by the Special Assistant to the President on Political Affairs in the office of the Vice President, Gambo Manzo, said the South-East has enjoyed more infrastructural development than any other region.

Manzo disclosed that the Buhari administration has completed and currently constructing 60 federal roads and bridge construction across the five states of the region.

The presidential aide submitted that most of the projects in the zone are scheduled for completion in 2022, adding that President Buhari has directed the completion of ongoing projects in the region before the expiration of his tenure in 2023.

He listed some of the projects to include the construction of Ihiala-Orlu Road in Isseke Town-Amafuo-Ulli with Spur (Ihiala-Orlu-Umuduru Section) in Anambra and the construction of Oseakwa Bridge in the state.

Manzo added that other projects embarked on by the federal government are the N200 billion Second Niger Bridge, comprising the Main Bridge across the River Niger, and 10km of a six-lane expressway, in Onitsha and Asaba.

He said: “An overview of the projects includes the construction of Ihiala-Orlu Road in Isseke Town-Amafuo-Ulli with Spur (Ihiala-Orlu-Umuduru Section) in Anambra and the construction of Oseakwa Bridge in Anambra.

“Another project is the Anambra/Imo Border-Ibinta-Okigwe Road; the rehabilitation of Abakaliki-Afikpo Road Sections I and II in Ebonyi. The rehabilitation of sections 1 to 4 of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway and the rehabilitation of Oba-Nnewi-Okigwe Road Route Section II.

“There is also the rehabilitation of Old Enugu – Port Harcourt Road (Agbogugu-Abia Border Spur to Mmaku); rehabilitation of Nsukka-Obollo-Ikem-Ehamufu-Nkalagu Road in Enugu; rehabilitation of Owerri-Umuahia Road Sections I, II and III Imo/Abia and rehabilitation of Oba-Nnewi-Okigwe Road.

“There is also rehabilitation of section II: Anambra/Imo States Border-Ibinta-Okigwe Road; rehabilitation of Bende – Arochukwu – Ohafia Road Section I in Abia, reconstruction of the Runway of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, following President Buhari’s approval of a N10 billion special intervention fund in 2019. Work ongoing on the upgrade of the International Terminal Building.

“The projects also include the N200 billion Second Niger Bridge, comprising the Main Bridge across the River Niger, and 10km of a six-lane expressway, in Onitsha and Asaba, scheduled for 2022 completion.”

Manzo disclosed that telecommunication giant, MTN recently announced its intention to reconstruct the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway under the Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme.

He, however, urged the people of the zone to support the administration of Buhari in its efforts to rebuild the area.

He said: “Under President Buhari’s Executive Order 7 (the Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme), signed in 2019. MTN Nigeria has recently announced its intention to reconstruct the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.

“The MTN Board has approved the company’s participation in the Scheme.

“The N362.5 billion raised in Sovereign Sukuk Bonds so far since 2017 has been shared equally across the 6 geopolitical zones – which means that a little over N60 billion has been allocated to the South East.”