Respite has come to the people of Umugwu community following the commencement of construction work on Umugwu Street, Awkunanaw in Enugu-South Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Prior to the reconstruction work, residents of the area were cut off from other people in the metropolis as erosion made it almost impossible for commuters and other road users to ply the street. During rainy season, the street is always over flooded after heavy rain fall due to lack of drainage system.
Apparently disturbed by the decaying infrastructure in the area, a High Chief in the community, Emma Ugwu, sought the approval of the Chairman of his local government, to rehabilitate the road which had caused untold hardship to his subjects for considerable time.
When News Echo correspondent visited Umugwu Street on Tuesday, some of the residents interviewed expressed joy on the development, pouring encomium on the community leader for giving a facelift to the area.
“We are very excited and grateful to our community leader, Chief Emma Ugwu, for single-handedly embarking on this road project. He has brought succor to us. Our street is open for businesses once again”, Ikenna Nnaji said in an interview.
Also speaking, Chief Ugwu explained that he embarked on the road project to bring life to his subjects, stressing that he was giving back to the society what the society gave him.
Ugwu recalled, “Each day I woke up, I feel sad seeing people trekking several meters to get vehicles because of bad road. It was a nightmare for me. This service I am rendering was born out of the love I have for humanity”
According to him, “the construction agreement indicates that the road project will cost over N35m. I applied for approval from my local government chairman before I embarked on the project. I want to put smile on the faces of my people”
Commenting on the road project, the Contractor handling the work, Engr. Musa Edward Ishaya of the Styl Nouveau Nigeria Ltd based in Abuja, said the entire work would be completed within three months.
Ishaya said the construction work is going on according to specification, adding that the asphalt, earthwork and drainage had reached an advanced stage. He enjoined residents of the area to avoid destroying the road so that it would last for them.
