The Former Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Prof Ike Ekweremadu, in the company of The deputy Minority leader, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Toby Okechukwu and Member representing Ezeagu and Udi Federal Constituency, Hon. Dennis Amadi Oguerinwa, has taken to an inspectional tour around the developmental projects sited in Awgu south, a part of Enugu west Senatorial District.

The tour, UGAMATV learnt, was to monitor the progressive level of the projects attracted by them, to ascertain, the challenges being faced by the contractors of the projects and possibly create a room for them in the 2021 budget.

Beginning the inspection was a visit to the Awgunta road which connects seven communities, namely; Obeagu, Awgunta, Ezere, Nkwe, Nenwe-nta, Ugwueme, with a spur at Mgbidi-Mmaku, is a virgin road which was surveyed with the aide of a helicopter, since these communities, prior to the emergence of this road was not accessible interconnectedly.

But with the Emergence of the road, things are beginning to look up for the Agro-based communities, as the impact of the road on commercial and economic activities are on the rise.

Speaking to us, Rt. Hon. Toby Okechukwu had appreciated Sen. Ekweremadu for thinking up such insightful initiative as connecting these Anike parts of Awgu, stating that it will bring development and access to this hemisphere.

Again, in the light of this project, the commercial benefits of these Agrarian communities are headed towards enhancement, since the trade routes of several markets in the host communities will be linked by their communities and not only by the Express.

Moreover, having this road refurbished, will enhance the economic activity of the host communities by giving the rural dwellers and other commuters an alternative route to access their farms and local market.

A stop at the section A of the Oji- Awgu road which cuts across, Oji Urban, Achi, Obeagu, Mmaku, communities of the district, shows that From Achi, Obeagu to Mmaku has been completed, the incomplete parts are, due to funding, raining season, compensation expectations and the lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Engr. Manna, the project manager of Setraco, the contractors of the road, explained that they have experienced major hitches with funding as three of their certificates and advance payment are yet to be made by the clients, however, with the trust that the contracting company has on Ekweremadu and Okechukwu, they are assured that they will tirelessly peddle their influence until those payments are made.

Ekweremadu, in his speech explicitly explained the issues surrounding the construction of this road. Apparently, this road was first awarded in 2012 when Toby Okechukwu was his economic adviser, to a certain Master holdings, in that manner, the section B was awarded to Setraco which they delivered in an optimal time, Master holdings on the other hand did a shoddy work and delayed the project for about 10 years, eventually they were rid of the project and it was re-awarded to Setraco, whom are evidently doing a satisfactory job.

Most gratifying to him is the unflinching trust that Setraco has on them, in his words, “they are the only contractors that move to the site and resume work without initial payment, as long as we are involved and for that we will see that those payments are made and this work gets completed.”

Subsequently, at the Ngene-Ugbo-Mmaku road, Rt. Hon. Toby Okechukwu, who particularly attracted this community road, said that the road is intended at easing transport difficulties for Mmaku indigenes and develop the general outlook of the place. It also serves as a major bypass for accessing the Enugu-Port harcourt road.

AFFAM OGBOLI-AWGU ROAD

An episcopal entourage led by the Anglican Church of Nigeria’s Bishop of Niger west, Rt. Rev.  Ekwe Johnson who is also an Indigene of Affam Ogboli, had welcomed Ekweremadu in the construction site of the Affam Ogboli road at Awgu.

The road, we gathered was attracted by the Rt. Hon. Okechukwu to support the Agrarian Affam Ogboli community, with the completion of the road farmers, commuters and patrons alike, can now access both the farms and markets with ease.

Rt. Rev. Johnson Ekwe, applauded Ekweremadu and Okechukwu for constantly exhibiting Synergy and understanding which has led to qualitative leadership and representation at the national Assembly. He however pledged an undying allegiance to the political welfare of the duo, on behalf of the other well meaning indigenes.

Rt. Rev. Benson Chukwunwike, the Anglican Bishop of Awgu and Aninri, also effected his appreciation for the road, in his words, life has become a lot easier in Affam Ogboli since this road was constructed.

Okechukwu had replied saying that he believes that everyone is entitled to the dividends of democracy, for that, this road was not constructed just because of a
preexisting relationship, with the community, but because it is their civil right to have access to quality roads.

ULULOR NDIULO ADOGBA ROAD

The Ululor Ndiulor Adogba Road, we gathered, which was attracted by Hon. Okechukwu, serves as the major road, to which the Aninri indigenes accesses the Famous Orie Awgu market, thereby qualifying it as a inter-local government area road.

Speaking in appreciation, Humphrey Ojinma unreservedly appreciated this feat, while reminiscing over the previous electricity and transformer projects attracted by Ekweremadu. After which, he requested that the road be completed to the Orie Awgu market.

Hon. Okechukwu had promised to give a due consideration to his request.

The Umuhu Road

The tour came to an end at the Umuhu community in Awgu, where the ecstatic indigenes conveyed their heartfelt joy and gratitude to both Ekweremadu and Okechukwu for the road construction done in their community.

They however requested that the road be completed and a life threatening bridge in their community be fixed to thwart unforseen ill-fated circumstances.

Hon. Toby Okechukwu, accepted their appreciation while thanking them for their unending solidarity and support to their mandate. Giving his word, he said that the road and the bridges will all be completed in no distant time.

In conclusion, Sen. Ekweremadu appreciated the efforts of Hon. Okechukwu and Engr. Ivoke, stating that he has the best working team ever. He said that the he understand that everyone in Nigeria is entitled to every dividend of democracy.

He also stated that he is satisfied with the work done in all the individual construction sites, which makes him realize that his initiative of developing Enugu west to a qualitative standard is near fulfillment.

Apart from Inspecting these projects to know their challenges, growth level possibly to add them to the next budget, we are also doing this to teach and inspire young politicians to have a desire for development in their pursuit of leadership.

He then, encouraged other communities, which the development Wagon is yet to reach, to exercise a little patience, assuredly, before their tenure expires, they will bring it to a completion.

The Senator was flanked by the Enugu state PDP Secretary, Hon. Cletus Akalusi, Enugu west PDP chairman, Ozo Okey Ozoani and PDP Enugu State Financial Secretary, Hon. Alphonsus Orji and many others.