It was a day of jubilation for the people of Inyi and Akpugoeze communities respectively as Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State flags-off Nkwo Inyi-Akpugoeze-Anambra Border road in Oji River L.G.A.
An elated chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Oji River Local Government Area, Enugu State, Chief Gbazueagu Nweke Gbazueagu, and other stakeholders in the council area, such as Senator Dr. Rev. Hyde Onuaguluchi poured encomiums on Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for his uncommon leadership qualities anchored on vision, humility, good governance and respect for everyone irrespective of political leanings.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony of Nkwo Inyi-Akpugoeze-Anambra Border road in Oji River L.G.A, which was among the N1.170 billion road projects recently awarded by the Enugu State Government, Senator Onuaguluchi while expressing delight over the commencement of work on the “abandoned” road, described Gov. Ugwuanyi as an “epitome of humility” and “God’s gift” to the people of the state.
The former Senator added that Gov. Ugwuanyi has “brought peace to this state” and “humility to government”, stressing that the last time he experienced such quality of humility was when another Nsukka man, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo was governor of the state.
Senator Onuaguluchi commended the governor for entrenching peace and good governance in the state, saying that he (Ugwuanyi) is “clinically” implementing a blueprint for the rapid growth and development of Enugu State and “should be allowed to finish his assignment from God.
“Gov. Ugwuanyi has brought happiness to every family in Enugu State irrespective of political leanings or class. We thank God for Gburugburu and may God continue to bless him and his family now and forever”, he prayed.
Chief Gbazueagu, who described Gov. Ugwuanyi as “my friend and brother”, also applauded the governor’s decision to construct and complete the road for the people of Akpugoeze, who he described as “the most neglected and deprived people in Enugu State”.
The APC chieftain, while maintaining that Gov. Ugwuanyi is a leader who makes promises and fulfills them, regretted that the road was “awarded and abandoned by past administration”, saying: “Today, you have tarred it for us, it is over”.
He said that what was paramount in Enugu State at the moment is not party politics, but how to galvanize resources to develop the state in the overall interest of the people of the state.
Emphasizing the importance of the road to him and his community, Chief Gbazueagu disclosed that he is still in politics basically to ensure that the deplorable road is constructed and declared that he is ready to surrender his political interest if the road construction is completed.
“If there is one reason I am in politics, it is because of this road. I have said it before, if this road is done, I am ready to surrender my political interest”, Chief Gbazueagu declared.
Flagging off the road, Gov. Ugwuanyi said that the project was “in fulfillment of our mandate and resolve to take development to all corners of Enugu State; to alleviate the sufferings of our people in various communities; to restore hope and revive a sense of inclusion and integration among our people”, declaring: “We are here because of our commitment to the people of Oji River and to all rural communities in Enugu State”.
According to him, “I want to assure you that it has always been the desire of our administration to construct this road as we are fully cognizant of its importance to the socio-economic wellbeing of the people of Akpungoeze and Oji River as a whole and also, to the realization of the state government’s rural development objectives”, he said.
