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Enugu State Governor Dr. Peter Mbah has officially launched the construction and dualization of the 43.7km Penoks-Abakpa Nike-Ugwogo-Nike-Opi Nsukka Road, which will feature streetlights and is set for completion within 18 months.

This initiative aligns with his administration’s vision to position Enugu as a prime destination for investment, business, tourism, and living.

At the flag-off ceremony held in Opi, attended by prominent political figures and Nsukka Zone leaders, Mbah emphasized that the project aims to reduce road accidents and criminal activities by straightening many bends along the route.

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“In my acceptance speech after the election, I pledged to dualize this road because we recognized that for our economy to thrive, every part of the state must be developed, especially an economic hub like Nsukka Zone. Today, we are connecting the dots,” he stated.

Mbah expressed concern that the journey from Enugu to Nsukka currently takes over an hour.

The new plan includes a 3.6km stretch from Penoks Junction to the T-Junction flyover, alongside the 41km Abakpa Nike-Opi Nsukka Road, aiming to reduce travel time to approximately 30 minutes and enhance the living and working conditions for residents.

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He further highlighted his administration’s grassroots development model, which places the Enugu North Zone at a strategic advantage.

“We are implementing projects based on electoral wards.

The Nsukka Zone stands to gain the most, with 102 electoral wards translating into 102 smart schools, 102 Type 2 Primary Healthcare Centres, and over 1,000km of roads, as we aim for at least 10km of roads per ward,” he noted.

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Igwe Samuel Asadu, the traditional ruler of Edem-Ani and Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, expressed gratitude for the project, stating, “The people of Nsukka and Enugu North Senatorial District never imagined such a transformative project. You will not need to campaign for your second term here; we will ensure your success.”

Deputy Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Ezeani Ezenta, remarked on the governor’s achievements, stating, “You have silenced the critics. Your dedication has shown you to be more Nsukka than any other local figure.”

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Former Deputy Governor Chief Okechukwu Itanyi called the project “gigantic and incredible,” asserting it will open Nsukka Zone to the world and leave a lasting legacy.

Other speakers, including Hon. Jude Asogwa, Chairman of Nsukka LGA, and former Secretaries to the State Government, commended the initiative.

In a statement released Monday, Hon. Dennis Agbo, representing Igboeze North/Udenu Federal Constituency, referred to the road as “transformational,” noting its potential to boost commerce, improve transportation, and enhance agricultural produce evacuation, as well as combat crime.

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“The governor has demonstrated a remarkable ability to unlock the potential of our state. Enugu is becoming a reference point for transformational projects,” he added.

Hon. Nnoli Nnaji, representing Nkanu East/Nkanu West and Leader of the Enugu State Caucus in the National Assembly, expressed full support for the governor’s development agenda.

Meanwhile, Cosmas Agu, CEO of COMAG Construction Company, committed to delivering a high-quality project on time.

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Frustrated Ebonyi market women gathered in large numbers on Monday outside the Ochudo State Secretariat in Abakaliki to protest what they termed excessive taxation imposed by the current administration.

The women, primarily yam sellers from the Margaret Umahi International Market, marched from their market to the secretariat to voice their grievances over recent tax hikes that they claim have made their livelihoods increasingly difficult.

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As they attempted to reach the Governor’s office at the new Government House, security personnel locked the gate to the secretariat to prevent their entry.

Mrs. Imo Nweze, the leader of the protesters, accused revenue collectors of imposing arbitrary and frequent tax increases.

She noted that transportation costs for their goods have skyrocketed due to fees imposed on drivers entering the market.

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“We are yam sellers. We were initially asked to move to a new location after the government completed construction of open stalls. However, these stalls are unsuitable for our products, resulting in significant losses,” Nweze explained.

She detailed the escalation of daily fees from N50 to N400, emphasizing that many women are widows who rely on their business to support their families.

“Most of us have had to use union funds to cover these costs, which has nearly depleted our account.”

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Nweze further highlighted that transportation costs for drivers have also surged, as they face charges ranging from N10,000 to N20,000 to enter the market, leading to increased fares and reduced profits for the sellers.

“We have come to plead with our Governor, Francis Nwifuru, and his wife, Mrs. Mary-Mauduline Nwifuru, to assist us. We elected him, and we trust he will not let us suffer,” she said.

In response to the protest, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Grace Umezurike, praised the women for their peaceful demonstration.

She conveyed that the governor and his wife were unavailable but had sent her to receive their complaints.

“I have noted your grievances and will relay them to the governor immediately. I am confident he will address them swiftly,” Umezurike assured the protesters.

The Commissioner for Markets Development and Parks, Nwogo Obasi, also spoke to the media, promising to investigate the reported tax increases with the Board of Internal Revenue.

“If any increases are found, we will hold the responsible agents accountable. The governor prioritizes the welfare of the people and advocates for lower taxes for low-income earners,” he stated.

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Oguejiofor Ujam, a professor of Pure and Applied Chemistry at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has regained his freedom.

DAILY GAZETTE previously reported that Prof. Ujam was abducted around 8 a.m. on Sunday along the Ugwogo-Opi Nsukka Road.

According to reports, Ujam managed to escape his captors near Nine Mile.

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He hails from Akegbe-Ugwu in Nkanu West LGA, Enugu, and currently serves as the Director of General Studies at the University of Nigeria.

More detail soon….

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Business owners in Bauchi, Gombe, and Jigawa are experiencing significant losses due to a week-long blackout caused by vandalism of power transmission lines in northern Nigeria.

The extended disruption in electricity supply has adversely affected essential services such as water, sanitation, street lighting, and healthcare, with many hospitals operating without power.

Local shopkeepers, millers, and artisans shared their frustrations with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), labeling the situation as “pathetic.”

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The survey highlighted the chronic issues of national grid failures and the urgent need for alternative power sources.

Rice millers in Gombe have particularly lamented the effects of inconsistent power supply on their operations.

Musa Arab, a miller located in Nassarawo Industrial Layout, emphasized that power outages have crippled their processing capabilities, as they rely on grid electricity to operate their machinery.

The soaring costs of petrol and diesel have made it unaffordable for them to use generators, leading to decreased rice supply and raising concerns over food security.

Arab stated, “We must invest in power because it is the biggest determining factor for industries to thrive. I have over 20 workers in my mill, and we have 100 mini rice mills here, so you can imagine those who have no jobs for the past 10 days. The government must take strong action against those responsible for the recurring grid failures, as it appears some may be profiting from it.”

Yusuf Ibrahim warned that the blackout could exacerbate inflation, as prices for local rice varieties have already begun to rise due to diminished supply.

He noted that some sellers have increased their prices to offset diesel expenses, impacting overall rice prices.

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A check by NAN at the Gombe Main market revealed that a 100-kilogram bag of rice now sells for between N120,000 and N160,000, up from N110,000 to N150,000 prior to the blackout.

Rice dealer Usman Sani explained that while prices initially fell with the harvest, they have since surged due to power outages.

Ugochukwu Daniel, a bartender in Bauchi, criticized the unreliable electricity supply, stating that consistent energy is vital for Nigeria’s social and economic advancement.

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He mentioned spending heavily on fuel for generators to keep his restaurant operational.

“My trade depends on chilled drinks, and without electricity, it’s impossible to maintain business. We need stable electricity for prosperity,” he said.

Similarly, Samuel Adamu expressed that ongoing power outages have forced him to resort to charcoal for ironing clothes, despite its increased cost.

He noted that the price for charcoal has skyrocketed from N5,000 to N15,000, prompting a shift in how laundry services are structured to manage expenses.

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To mitigate these challenges, Adamu advocated for the development of renewable energy sources and called on security agencies to enhance the protection of electrical installations.

In related news, Muhammad Adamu, Chairman of the Jigawa State House Assembly Committee on Power and Energy, announced that the Jigawa Electricity Law 2024 aims to improve power generation and distribution within the state.

This legislation arises from changes in the constitution that shifted power regulation from the executive to the legislative domain.

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“The new law will establish the Jigawa Electricity Commission, ensuring the regulation of the electricity market while protecting residents and investors. It will facilitate reliable and affordable power essential for economic development, especially in rural areas,” Adamu stated.

He emphasized that addressing vandalism is critical, as communities often bear the financial burden for repairs when issues arise with power supply, despite payments made to the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) for services.