2027: Nwifuru has completed numerous projects, needs more time – Works Commissioner

The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Works, Stanley Lebechi Mbam has said the State government under the leadership of Francis Nwifuru has completed a number of road projects in the urban and rural parts of the State.

He noted that there are other infrastructural projects that the governor equally has completed within the last two years, contrary to claims in some quarters without borrowing a dime.

Mbam made this known while addressing stakeholders through Zoom at the fourth edition of Nkata Oganihu Ebonyi- a platform for public discourse and conversation on issues of governance and administration in Ebonyi State moderated by a Public Health Expert, Laz Ude Eze, 

He noted further that Nwifuru has kept faith with line 17 of his campaign promise on his ‘People’s Charter of Needs’ agenda wherein he pledged to maintain existing infrastructures and expand rural and urban roads.

According to him: “When we came on board, we tried to intervene in the urban capital city because most of our roads were dilapidated and road users found them difficult. We were able maintain them under phase 1 of the project which included Aloh Street, Ofor Street, Unity Square axis, Goddy Ogbaga Avenue and we expanded the city by extending it to Mile 50 axis where we sprang forth a new layout and many roads have been constructed there.

“You can see the massive development that has been going on there because of the access roads created in that axis and other parts of the State capital. We didn’t stop there. On the rural roads, we have also done much but much more are yet to be done. In the Central axis of the State, Ishielu Local Government to be precise, we have about 22km rural road that was completely impassable. 

But when we came on board, we started the road and today, the earthwork is about 90% completion and the concrete pavement is going on well. Also in the Central we have some bridges going on there. One is at Umuezeokoha and another is Akadoro bridge in the same Ezza North Local Government Area. In Ikwo, we also have a 13km Odomowo road that is ongoing now and is making a very big progress.

Another road project going in the Central zone is the Ezillo road in Ishielu Local Government Area. The 9.11km road is under my ministry and it is making a very good progress.

Although some of the contractors handling some of the projects delayed in mobilization to site but as I speak to you, they are about to be commissioned once the internal roads are completed. On the Governor’s promise to build houses for traditional rulers, that was part of his campaign promises and very soon, it will be completed.

The construction of classroom blocks are all going on in our various communities in the various local government areas. Some are at the finishing stages while others are nearing completion.

On the Vanco flyover project, the Commissioner who described it as one of its kinds in the South-East revealed the flyover will have a tunnel. According to Mbam, “We have not had such a project in the South East before and a lot has been done. 

“I won’t want to bore you with so much details but I beg that each one of you should make time to visit the site. The tunnel is about 1km and the bridge is about 28 Span, twin flyover and a dual carriage-way and other ancillary works that is going on there.”

Reacting to the allegations that the Vanco flyover is not moving at a fast pace, the Commissioner said people can only complain about the pace because they don’t have the design of the job. “Information is key, sometimes we talk about the project and we know a lot is going on and we know we will get it right”.

While calling on Ebonyians to be patient with the Nwifuru administration, Mbam said the government has made gigantic progress in execution of fiscal infrastructure projects without borrowing any funds from anywhere.

Reacting to the Commissioner’s submissions, a former two-term member of Ebonyi State House of Assembly and former Commissioner for Special Projects, Ikechukwu Nwobo lamented that many infrastructure projects in the State are not moving speedily, calling on the government to hold contractors duly accountable so they deliver projects on quality time.