In an effort to achieve his set goals of paving all roads in Enugu metropolis, and making tourism attractive and lucrative in the state, Enugu state government, Friday, approved the expansion , construction and rehabilitation of 1,022 roads covering 360 Kilometres Urban roads in the state.
The State Government also approved the construction of tourism site in different parts of the state , announcing 2025 Christmas activities tagged,” Dirty December”.
These were made know. to Newsmen by the Commissioner for Information,Dr Malachy Agbo, and his counterpart, the Commissioner for Works and infrastructure Hon. Ben Okoh respectively, while briefing Newsmen on the outcome of the December State Executive Council meeting held on Friday in Government House, Enugu
Agbo said the approved project is the phase 3 of the programme.
“We’ve done the phase 1, we’ve done the phase 2, we’re now in the phase 3, where we’re going to award contracts that will cover about 360 kilometres in the urban area.
“”These areas involve New GRA, Old GRA, some part of Emene, Abakpa- Nike, Emene , Thinkers Corner and so many otherother places. We want to cover the uncovered areas, roads in the Enugu metropolis,” he said.
He added that they also discussed about the forthcoming “Dirty December, where they were expecting some people from Diaspora who will come to Enugu to spend their Christmas
Throwing more light on the decisions the roads projects, the Commissioner for works and infrastructure, Hon Ben Okoh, said the state government is going to construct 360 kilometres of roads across the state.
From L to R- Hon. Commissioner Okoh, Dr.Agbo, Dame Mmadueke and Dr. Sam Ogbu Nwobodo
He explained that the state government awarded the first phase of the urban road construction, which was about 71 roads, and was later increased to over 90 roads in the urban area
.”We also awarded 141 urban roads in the phase two. And now we just approved for the award of 1,022 urban roads. This covers the entire urban area in Enugu State. All the urban areas in Enugu metropolis are covered under this new phase. This is in fulfilment of his promise to make sure that all parts of Enugu State is motorable. ” Okoh said.
Giving details on Dirty December Christmas program organised by her ministry, the Commissioner for Culture and tourism, Dame Ugochi Mmadueke, said they were ready for the Dirty December..
She explained that Dirty December is social activities which covers comedy shows, musical concerts. among others and they had already started,.
“The O42 Festival is going on at ICC and Road block will be holding at Okpara Square Enugu on December 13, 2025.
She added that they will introduce mmanwu Ogbe festival on December 18 at Afia-nine , Obiagu, where heavy masquerades are expected to showcase themselves as a prelude to the proper Mmanwu festival on December 20 where every local government area is expected to display their cultural heritage at Michael Okpara Square Enugu.
“Every local government in Enugu will come out with their own masquerade, their food, their dance to showcase our culture and our heritage. That’s on the 20th.”On the 21st, we’ll be having the Christmas Carol, Enugu State Christmas Carol at ICC. The same night, we’ll be having the Kola from the East show, which will take place at Okpara Square. That’s on the 21st.”
“On the 23rd, we’ll round it up with the road block, which will also be at Okpara Square. Again, on 26th, we’ll have the Monica, MC Monica show, that will take place at the Base Event Centre. But from 22nd to 2 January,2026, the Landmark Nike Lake will also be opened with activities, everyday activities, 10 days of Christmas at Landmark Nike Lake, ” she said..
She added that Unity Park, will be opened till about middle of January2026.. “So Enugu State is ready to welcome our visitors, because His Excellency and this administration, want a minimum of 3 million tourists,” Mmadueke said.
She announced that two big tour buses had arrived for tourism and that construction has started at Ngwo pine forest, the first sea cline in Nigeria. Mmadueke also disclosed that construction has also started at the Nsude Pyramid, where they are also having the first canopy walkway in Southeast, measuring about 600 metres.
She added that work has also started at Okpatu, where they have the “ugwurerengwu” the highest height in Enugu which is 580 meters above sea level . The commissioner said it will be completed by March, 2026 and will be ready for Easter.
On his part, the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Dr Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo, ,said the Business Enabling Reform Action Plan for 2026 was also approved. He explained that it was aimed at enhancing a business-friendly ecosystem in Enugu, which translates to robust engagement with the private sector and increase interest in investment inflow into the state
He said Enugu state in the sub national survey on ease of doing business was adjudged three years ago, 36Tth out of 37th but presently, it performed well in the ease of doing business and moved from the 36Th position to 6Th out of 37Th.
He said “the council appreciated the efforts of everyone.”
