​By Chiekezie Emmanuel

​The Vice-Chancelor, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Prof Aloysius-Michaels OKolie has flagged off the construction of the School Park Road and appreciated the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for his intervention.

​The groundbreaking event took place on Monday at the construction site at the School Park, Agbani Main Campus.

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Speaking during inspection of the work at the site, Prof. Aloysius Michaels Okolie accompanied by the management team, stated that construction of the Park Road is the actualization of His Excellency Governor Mbah’s mandate, which he gave on 19th November 2024 during the convocation ceremony

​”The students who were present at the Peter Mbah Auditorium during the convocation will recall that he promised to construct this road. So, we have been doing follow-ups. About three weeks ago, the matter came up again, and we discussed it exhaustively. And there and then, he approved that the road should be constructed immediately.

​”As the approval was conveyed to us, we conveyed it to the contractor. And the contractor immediately mobilized to the site that weekend, because we told him the next day, ‘You must complete this project in eight weeks,’ because convocation is around the corner, so that His Excellency will commission the project.

​”I think what we didn’t put in the component of the project is to ensure that we have proper lighting from the entrance point to the end of the road  because we have been receiving information about thefts along this axis.

​”It is now left for the management to look for resources to install industrial solar lights on the road from this point down to the student hostel where the road starts. We will start looking for funds to do that. It will not be just any solar; it will be industrial solar. If you want to understand what we mean, go to Mechanical Metallurgical Engineering, where industrial solar was installed,” he said.

​Prof. Okolie emphasized that he is aware that students, commuters, and staff will be pleased with His Excellency. “Even when you are coming to work, you can dash in through this place, and use the road. And it is a straight road. The only thing is, I wouldn’t know whether it is good now to put some speed breakers as we are constructing, because I don’t know what will happen here.

​”The money for this project is already available. We are challenging the contractor: get to the milestone and collect the second tranche. The problem is not the money. They gave us the whole money complete. And we’ve given 30% of it. We are prepared to give another 30% anytime the consultant writes that they have reached the milestone. The important point is that we need quality work and speedy completion,” he emphasized.

​”The management is committed to doing much more. We need total support, not only for the management, but for His Excellency. We must accord him the respect he deserves. We must listen to him. And because he listens to us, we have to listen to him.

​”He is our master, and the Visitor to this university, and we are going to remain ever grateful to him for agreeing to this project. Do you think it is a one-kobo project? This is a ₦297 million project,” he asked.

​Also speaking, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Bonez Construction and Engineering Services Limited, Engr. Paschal Nwanne, stated that the construction will not exceed the completion deadline despite rainfall. “It cannot exceed eight weeks. That’s the understanding of what the contract has specified, and we are working towards that.”

​He assured quality and durability for the road, citing his 45 years of professional experience. “So, I’m not coming here to learn it,” he emphasized.

​”As a matter of fact, that is an instruction we are going to take from the consultant, the designer. But I know that at the end of the day, we will come up with whatever is best for the project. We are considering two things: either to provide a T-junction from here so that it can always control the traffic, or to put a roundabout, as you have said. That will be at the discretion of the consultant and the client.”

Earlier in his speech, the Director of Physical Planning, ESUT, Professor Francis Iloeje, said the that construction of the road Mark a breakthrough after efforts in the past failed to yield success.

The Student Union Government President of Postgraduate Studies, Comrade Ahaonu Chidera, and the Undergraduate counterpart, Comrade Nwobodo Isaac, expressed appreciation to the Governor and the School Management for the construction of the road.

​”To the Vice-Chancellor, from the student community, we want to sincerely appreciate His Excellency, Gov. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, the Visitor to our prestigious institution, for this kind gesture.”

Upon completion, the new 0.625km road will be named ” Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah Access Road.