By Emma Acha
Orba – The Enugu State Government will spend at least N3.4 billion on the upgrade of rural infrastructure in the 17 local government areas of the state in 2017, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has said.
Ugwuanyi made the disclosure in Orba on Monday when he received the people of Ezeagu Local Government Area of the state ,who visited him at home to thank him.
The governor said that the 2017 financial year would be action packed in the councils, adding that each had been mandated to forward its projects to the state government.
He said that the rural areas needed to be made catalysts for development and added that his administration would not renege in its commitment to raise the living standard of the people.
“Our administration has resolved to implement projects worth between N200 million and N300 million in each of the 17 local government areas which will be captured in next year’s budget.
“We have appealed to each council to agree and furnish us with what their most pressing needs are,” he said.
Ugwuanyi expressed satisfaction with his guests, adding that the inauguration of an economic team by the council was a giant leap that needed to be replicated by all council chairmen in the state.
The governor commended his deputy, Mrs Cecelia Ezeilo, an indigene of the local government area, who had been consistent in her support.
Ugwuanyi said that the several road projects by his administration would be completed at the stipulated periods.
Earlier, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ezeagu Local Government, Mr Chukwudi Ezinwa, said the people were delighted that the governor appointed indigenes of the area into positions of authority.
Ezinwa said that the people would continue to support the governor to achieve his dream for the state.