Enugu moves to complete abandoned multi-million naira international conference centre

GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has begun moves to complete the multi-million naira International Conference Centre, Enugu, abandoned 19 years ago.

To this end, the governor has directed the state’s Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to initiate and commence the evaluation of outstanding builder’s works and other contractual requirements for the completion of the Enugu International Conference Centre.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting of the State Executive Council, at the weekend, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Greg Nnaji, who described the centre as “a legacy project”, disclosed that Governor Ugwuanyi’s administration was desirous to put in place mechanism to complete the edifice in view of its inherent socio-economic benefits to the people of the state.

Also at the briefing, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Honourable Rita Mbah, informed newsmen that the state government has taken full possession of the Hotel Presidential, Enugu, and consequently approved the immediate renovation of the recreation section of the hotel, following the recent striking out of the court case against the government by an interested party.

Mbah explained that the renovation exercise will be carried out “in the premier garden, the swimming pool arena, wedding arena and the four tennis courts, among others, stressing that the present administration “is really poised to make sure that the hotel is brought back to a functional state.

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The Culture and Tourism Commissioner also disclosed that the council approved the sum of N77 million for the upgrade and rehabilitation of water supply in Nike Lake Resort Hotel, Enugu, pointing out that the decision was in addition to other interventions earlier made by the government to improve the standard of the three-star hotel, such as the procurement and installation of 500KVA and 650KVA generators.

On road infrastructure, the Works Commissioner stated that the council awarded contract for the construction of Enugu Eke-Ogui-Oma Eke road near Amah Brewery in Udi Local Government Area to Willangy Nig. Ltd at the cost of N202 million.

He added that the council approved the designing and scoping of selected rural roads and 25 river crossings (bridges and culverts) across the state under the phase two of Rural Access Mobility Project (RAMP II).

Equally approved, according to Nnaji, was the sum of N250 million for the immediate repairs of identified emerging potholes on urban and intercity roads in the state, such as the Ugwuogo-Opi-Nsukka road and Ugwuogo-Ikem road, covering close to 40,000 square meters, which translates to 4.5 kilometres.

He further explained that what they have done was to commence the first phase to ensure that the projects were rehabilitated simultaneously now the rain was reducing. According to him, the state government agency in charge of road maintenance (NCFC) would liaise with the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to work on the project.

The Works Commissioner also stated that the council after the evaluation of the status report on the ongoing rehabilitation works at the Governor’s Lodge in Nsukka, approved a variation cost of N45 million for enhancement of works, and the sum of N62.2 million for further upgrade of the facilities to include external works and beautification, such as landscaping, multi-culture, procurement of generator, water boreholes, among others.

The Commissioner for Information, Honourable Ogbuagu Anikwe, who was also at the briefing, further revealed that the state government through the observation of due process, in line with its commitment to fiscal discipline, accountability and transparency, has saved the sum of N1.82 billion from expenditures, which he said were now being used for the provision of other development needs of the people of the state.

Anikwe said that the council approved in principle to establish three model driving schools in the three senatorial zones of the state for proper training of vehicle drivers. He added that the EXCO’s decision was a sequel to a memo to the governor by the state Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), which revealed that the majority of crashes in the state were traceable to poor driving habits.