Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has disclosed that the state is yet to receive the bailout funds from the federal government meant to offset the arrears of pension and gratuity for workers his administration inherited.
The governor made the disclosure while flagging off the construction of Abakpa Nike and Nike Lake Roads as part of the eight roads his administration awarded recently.
He noted that the Federal Government’s delay in the release of N14.2 billion bail-out funds to the Enugu State, will not dissuade his administration’s resolve to embark on the construction of the eight roads to better the lives of the people of the state.
The Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria had approved N10 billion for the state for infrastructural development and N4.2 billion for payment of pension arrears and gratuity inherited from past administration.
Addressing an elated crowd who thronged the venue to witness the ground breaking event, the governor revealed that,”during our campaigns and upon our inauguration, we did promise to devote the resources of the state to better the lot of our people. We pledged to accomplish this by aggressively addressing all issues militating against the development of the state and by taking necessary steps to ease the difficulties and hardships encountered by our people as they go about their daily activities, in all nooks and corners of the state.
“Specifically, I mentioned Abakpa Nike and other satellite towns as places that we must develop in order to create fresh economic opportunities for our people and reduce pressure on Enugu metropolis.
“Abakpa Nike and Nike Lake Roads were indeed, among the first roads that I visited in the state upon my assumption of office. This was informed by my personal observations as well as the loud complaints of the people as to the dismal state of these strategic roads and the attendant hardship they imposed on everyone using them.
“I did promise on that visit that we will give prompt attention to the roads and ensure that they were reconstructed within reasonable time. In actualisation of this promise, we listed the roads among the first eight major roads to be constructed by this administration across the state and proceededs to award contracts to that effect. There’s no gainsaying the fact that when completed, these projects will offer our people a long desired relief from excruciating traffic congestion and other setbacks occasioned by the deplorable state of the roads.
“They will also greatly assist us in our urban, rural, agricultural and industrial development efforts as well as enhance business and commercial activities in this area and beyond, for the benefit of our people. We have therefore come here today to fulfil our promises to our people and also demonstrate our determination to continue to do so, despite the prevailing economic difficulties in the country.”
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