Enugu State Executive Council has approved the construction of 19,000 housing units, cable car connecting Okpatu Hill to Awhum Waterfall, the Ovu Lake Golf Resort, a 10.5-kilometre road project, and the completion of the State Secretariat Complex, aimed at accelerating economic growth in the state.
The approvals were granted at the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting held at the weekend were aimed at driving investment, create jobs and support Governor Peter Mbah’s target of expanding Enugu’s economy from $4 billion to $30 billion within eight years.
Briefing Government House correspondents after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr. Malachy Agbo, alongside the Commissioners for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ben Osy Okoh; Culture and Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke; Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Dr. Patrick Ubru; Education, Prof. Ndubueze Mbah; and Health, Prof. George Ugwu, said the approvals reflected the administration’s commitment to transforming Enugu into Nigeria’s preferred destination for investment, tourism and quality living.
Top on the list of approvals is the development of 19,000 new housing units, comprising 1,000 fully detached terrace homes within the Enugu Smart City and 18,000 mass housing units at the Gateway Estate.
Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Ben Okoh, said the Smart City homes, made up of four- and five-bedroom units, would complement the newly completed first phase of the 6.5-kilometre dual carriageway and ongoing internal road network in the new city, while the Gateway Estate project would provide affordable housing supported by roads, electricity, water supply and other essential infrastructure.
The council also approved the 10.5-kilometre Igogoro–Amachara–Ikpamodo–Okpo–Amaada Road, expected to improve connectivity, ease transportation and stimulate economic activities in the benefiting communities.
To tackle persistent flooding in Nsukka, the government approved comprehensive rehabilitation of damaged drainage systems, desilting of blocked drains and construction of five adjoining streets in flood-prone areas of the town.
In addition, SEC approved the procurement of more than 30 pieces of light construction equipment for the Ministry of Works to strengthen direct labour operations, emergency interventions and routine road maintenance while reducing project costs.
The Executive Council equally approved the completion and modernization of Wings C and D of the Enugu State Secretariat Complex alongside extensive rehabilitation of Wings A and B.
Okoh noted that while Wings A and B were commissioned in 2015, the remaining wings had remained abandoned and had deteriorated over the years.
He said the project would deliver a fully modern secretariat complex with improved facilities while addressing structural defects identified in the earlier buildings.
On tourism, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke, announced the approval of three flagship projects expected to reposition Enugu as one of West Africa’s leading tourism destinations.
Among them is the Ovu Lake Golf Resort at Akpawfu in Nkanu East Local Government Area, which will feature an 18-hole championship golf course, a luxury hotel with over 100 rooms, a 600-seat conference centre, boat regatta facilities, landscaped gardens, clubhouses, children’s playgrounds, lawn tennis and basketball courts, among other recreational attractions.
The council also approved the Attakwu Tourism Development Project, which will transform the area’s virgin forest and natural lake into an ecotourism destination complete with an animal sanctuary and other nature-based attractions.
Similarly, the Akwuke Tourism Development Project will feature a modern sand beach, water park, theme park, scenic boardwalk and a family recreation park designed to attract local and international visitors.
Another landmark approval is the Okpatu–Awhum Cable Car Project, described by the government as one of its signature tourism investments.
According to Madueke, the 5.32-kilometre cable car will begin from the iconic Cross of Hope on Okpatu Hill and terminate at the Awhum Waterfall, with stations at the Cross of Hope, Awhum Monastery and the waterfall.
She said the project would allow visitors to enjoy panoramic views of the hills and forests through a safe and comfortable cable car ride while boosting tourism, hospitality, commerce and employment opportunities across the state.
The commissioners said the projects collectively represent another major milestone in the Mbah administration’s infrastructure drive, aimed at improving the quality of life, attracting private investment, expanding tourism and creating sustainable economic opportunities for the people of Enugu State.
