Aka Names Udenu Road After Mbah, Inaugurates Projects

The outgoing Chairman of Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Mr Aka Eze Aka, has named the newly constructed Isielu-Amutenyi Road after Gov. Peter Mbah and appealed to the governor to complete the remaining stretch of the project.

Aka made the appeal while inaugurating the road, which passes through Okpakerekere, Umuitodo and Ogwu Obollo communities, among several projects executed by his administration during its two-year tenure.

He said the road, which serves more than 14 communities and extends over a considerable distance, had suffered years of neglect and abandonment, making its construction a major priority for his administration.

According to him, the council embarked on the project to complement the rural infrastructure development of the state government and open up communities that had long suffered poor road access.

“It became necessary for my administration to embark on the construction of this road because we need to replicate what the Governor is doing in Enugu in other rural areas and communities,” he said.

Aka appealed to Mbah to support the completion of the remaining portion of the road, stressing that the length and scope of the project made the intervention beyond the capacity of the council alone.

He expressed optimism that the governor would respond positively to the appeal and complete the remaining stretch to ensure that the entire corridor was opened to effective transportation and economic activities.

“I’m sure that this will attract the Governor to complete the remaining part of the stretch. I’m very grateful to him, and I’m also very disposed to say that my government has done its best to start this endeavour,” he said.

Aka said the decision to name the road after Mbah was in recognition of the governor’s development efforts across Enugu State and his support for the people of Udenu.

“To the glory of God, we have also decided to name this road after the very hardworking Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Dr. Peter Mbah,” Aka said.

The chairman also thanked Mbah for creating the opportunity and providing the support that enabled his administration to execute projects that directly affected the lives of residents.

Ukwuakpu-Ozoji Road

At the inauguration of the separate Ukwuakpu-Ozoji Road, Aka said the road had suffered prolonged neglect and had “almost defied every successive government in Udenu” before his administration decided to tackle it.

“I want to use this opportunity to thank His Excellency, Dr. Peter Mbah, who made it possible for us to have the energy, the wisdom and wherewithal to make this road a reality,” he said.

Aka said his administration encountered challenges, criticism and opposition while executing the project but remained determined to complete it.

“We met challenges, we met critics, we met naysayers about this road, but we were determined and intentional to make this road a reality,” he said.

He said the completed road had generated considerable excitement among residents, adding that the administration was aware of its positive impact on the people and communities along the route.

According to him, the road would enhance trade and other commercial activities, particularly around the Obollo-Afor Market.

Other Projects

Other projects inaugurated included the newly reconstructed office apartment at the Udenu Secretariat Complex, the Secretariat main gate, the Obollo-Afor Roundabout Monument and a solar-powered borehole water project at Obeg-Amutenyi community.

Speaking at the inauguration of the water project, Aka said residents of Obeg-Amutenyi had previously faced serious difficulties accessing potable water.

He said the intervention was in line with the development vision of Mbah, particularly the governor’s efforts to extend basic infrastructure to communities across the state.

In their separate remarks, the traditional ruler of Umuezejor in Obollo-Afor, Igwe Romanus Odoh, and his counterpart from Amutenyi, Obollo-Afor, Igwe Ikebukwu Ekwueme, commended Aka for undertaking the road projects.

They said the interventions would improve connectivity and stimulate socio-economic activities in the affected communities.

The President-General of Agamede Isielu Amutenyi Obollo Eke, Mr Finbar Eze, also commended the council chairman for commencing the Isielu-Amutenyi Road project, saying its completion would bring significant relief to residents and communities along the route.

The commissioning of the projects adds to previously delivered infrastructure and social interventions by the administration, including boreholes, security motorbikes and other logistical support for security agencies, human capital development initiatives and social welfare programmes.

The commissioning exercise formed part of the concluding activities of Aka’s administration, whose governance approach prioritised infrastructural development and the provision of essential services to residents of Udenu.