When Governor Peter Mbah flagged off the construction of 141 urban roads in Enugu, earlier in March this year, expectations were high.
The projects, covering over 100 kilometres across the city, were designed to transform the capital’s road network with a completion time of 90 days.
Six months on, work on several of the roads is still ongoing, with many at various stages of completion.
speaking at the March flag-off ceremony, it was an assurance that gave residents renewed hope; a promise that long-neglected roads would soon wear a new look.
But, six months later, that excitement has given way to concerns, as the pace of work on some of the projects appear to have slowed down.
From Monarch Avenue to Ugwuaji Road and Ologo Main, many sites show completed drainages, though some already appear weakened by the rains.
Asphalt work, on the other hand, remains a rare sight and heavy machinery that once filled the roadsides are now few and far between.
Some residents and commuters speak of frustration and lost patience; others believe the prolonged rainy season may have slowed the contractors’ pace.
Amid the concerns, hope finds a voice in Governor Peter Mbah, who in a recent media interview acknowledged that the rains disrupted timelines, but assures that contractors will return in full force as the dry season sets in.
For those living along the affected routes, that’s the reassurance they have been waiting.
Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie
