By Okoli Sunday
Anambra State Government has continued to prioritize road construction across the State thereby turning the State into one big construction site.
Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo CFR understands the importance an average Anambra person places on roads, and he is vigorously pursuing his agenda on road infrastructure with utmost speed.
The month of June and July are usually months of heavy rainfall and expectedly, this year’s downpour has been relentless.
During previous administrations, this time of the year is usually referred to as “a period of construction break”. It’s a peroid when roads are flooded, houses are over-ran with water, the few asphalts on the roads are washed out by water current and other ugly consequences of heavy downpours.
But despite the heavy rainfall in the past few weeks, Anambra State Government has continued to make progress on its infrastructure projects designed to improve the road network and ease traffic problems across the State.
Our fact finding tour to some ongoing projects across the State shows that heavy construction works are going on simultaneously across the length and breath of the State. Among the roads visited included the ongoing Construction of Amansea-Ifite Road; Aroma Overpass-Ekwueme Square -Government House Road with a bridge.
On completion, it will link Ifite road to Ifite Awka thereby decongesting traffic in Aroma.
The Decongestion of Ekwulobia Traffic by the construction of Flyover Bridge, Roads, Bus Terminal, Fuel Station, Security Building, Fire Station and other external works is going on even with the heavy rainfall. Infact, the Contractor, has commenced the launching of beams. The bus terminal building and the adjoining roads are getting serious attention.
Construction is in high gear along the 28km super highway “Dualisation of Amawbia-Nise-Agulu-Nanka-Ekwulobia-Uga-Orlu boundary road with Lay Bays, Median, Drains and Culverts” which was awarded in June 2024. Even the heavy rainfall is not a hindrance.
On completion, the dualisation will ease traffic gridlock and make travel experience seamless for residents along the road corridors and other interstate road users who travel from Anambra to Imo State, Abia State, River State on a daily basis.
Among other ongoing roads construction projects even in the rain are: the Reclamation and Control of Flood and Gully Erosion along the Nodu -Okpuno-Goodwill Bread Road to Discharge into the Iyiagu River at Awka, reconstruction of Bank Road-St Mary’s Cathedral Church Road Uruagu Nnewi, Rehabilitation of Afor Nkpor-Eke Nkpor-Eke Obosi road, Savinono-Umuhu Ubahuezike Road in Okija, Construction of Atani-Ozubulu Road with a Bridge, Rehabilitation/Reconstruction of Some Seleected Roads in Onitsha including Creek road, Miss Elems, Moor Street/Iweka road among others.
In all this places visited, despite the rains, contractors were at work, which shows that the government is forging ahead despite the weather.
According to the Contractors, they are working assiduously to ensure the completion of all projects on schedule. According to them, the State Government has not failed in their responsibilities of
providing the needed support and resources required to maintain the pace and quality of work on the projects even with the harsh weather.
These iconic projects and the pace with which they are being delivered demonstrate the administration’s commitment to delivering world-class infrastructure, driving economic growth, and transforming the State into a hub for commerce and industry.
Okoli is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State