By Paul Odili
Posted to the Web: Tuesday, June 20, 2006

It is no news tha the President might going on a state visit to Enugu state very soon. It is expected that when he does go, he would commission some projects, most of  which he laid their foundation stone the last time he visited in early 2005. Now one year after the President is going back to see things for himself. Already, the state  government has let the cat out of the bag by publishing widely, the projects that are now are ready for presidential attention. The surprise element may be out of the  window, but public awareness has been created that, those projects which the President  flagged off is now ready for use by the public.

During Obasanjo’s visit the last time he was shown the foundation level of International Conference Centre; the ESUT medical school, teaching hospital and medical  students’ hostel block. He also saw Ebeano tunnel link road; Loma Linda Hospital; Judiciary Quarters amongst others that were at the basic level. Because all these  projects were taken place simultaneously, the President though enthusiastic about the vision of the government to improve the lot of the people of the state, was  guided in his praises, prefacing each endorsement with a warning that he hopes the government would not leave any project uncompleted.

The governor’s assurances to the President and the people of the state that he would not leave any uncompleted project, was an unflagging pledge, which for the sake  of his reputation and well being of the people of the state has turned out to be either completed or nearly so. The pictures of these projects contained in the  advertorials placed in the press do not tell the complete story. Seeing it in person has a particularly magnetic effect.

One of the projects, which has since been completed and is now in use is the ESUT medical school and teaching hospital, was commissioned by the state government  on February 14 this year. This magnificence edifice has already started yielding results with the formal accreditation of the school by Nigeria Medical Association,  some eight weeks ago. For the medical school, which has been in existence for  years, without accreditation, this turn around is remarkable.

The governor in annoyance over the oversight of the founders not to recognise the importance of having a befitting college of medicine, and relieved that the situation  has changed says: “ Imagine a college of medicine without a  teaching hospital for years; you would have thought that a teaching hospital would have  difference to  them.” Furthermore, the quality of ESUT buildings is of high standard, with the hostels in suit; perhaps, the governor who by training is a medical doctor stand  accused of go the extra mile to ensure the best. With this particular project over, the challenge before the government is to use the time available to it to attract quality  medical professionals  who, rather than migrate overseas would find fulfilment in using the facility in Enugu.  If the state government is able to do this, its attempts to  create a modern health care facility would not be in vain. However, the first hurdle might have been surmounted, which is to leave an institution that would be a  reference point in medical research and training.

Another high profile project, which the state government showed Obasanjo, when he visited last year was the Ebeano tunnel link road. When the President visited this  project last year it was at such rudimentary stage, the best possible way anyone could have an idea of what the governor was talking about, was the dummy model of  the tunnel. As the President arrived he spent a very short inspecting the site of the project, while the governor did his briefing explaining the importance of the tunnel.

Today, the project is completed and has turned out to be the exact replica of the dummy. The tunnel a  marble design is 80 metres long has a police post attached,  and for good reason. Even now it looks a bit lonely and out of the way, thus mounting a police post will give a sense of security. Moreover, the second phase of  Ebeano Housing Estate is adjacent to the tunnel, which should be a relief to the would be occupants of the estate.  As good as this project may seem it stands to be  queried whether it is of such necessity.

There can be two schools of thought regarding this. One might say Enugu is such a small town and there can be no immediate need for a  tunnel to channel traffic  away from one end of the town to another. And that this tunnel is nothing more than a prestige project. However, there could be another school that says, Enugu in  the seven years have been growing in leaps and bounds, and this project is in anticipation of a time when there could be congestion, and the tunnel would be such a  strategic route in easing traffic flow; especially, as the business activities continues to show exponential growth.

The tunnel links the business district along  Okpara Avenue to Ogui end of the town, and thus saves time, rather than doing a circuitous trip, the by-pass through the  tunnel is a more efficient way out of a possible traffic snarl.  Those who hold this view  also say that apart from the tunnel, the housing estate nearby is a further  opening up of this area, which originally belongs to the railway corporation, but left to rot away in disuse. Governor Nnamani seems aware that a contrary opinion  might seek to undermine what he is doing, has braced himself to accept this possibility. He concedes that he does not expect some people to fully appreciate what is  being done until years later when it would be apparent that they were clear headed. “ 

Here, the legacy we are pushing is not a legacy of five or ten years; we are looking at a legacy of 50 years. Some of the things we putting in place cannot be  appreciated now it will take about 50 years to appreciate them. Our children and grand children can look back and access the quality of the work of their forebears.”
Until that judgement of history, the project is well on course in line with the promise the government made when it conceived it a year ago. As the government  prepares to show case what it has done with the successful completion  of the tunnel, they say the movement to the permanent site of ESUT campus is another  massive show piece. The permanent campus is a milestone because ESUT had been sharing the same premises with IMT, another tertiary institution.

The congestion and confusion this had entailed can only be imagined. Building a 283 hostel and academic structure began in November 2004, must rank as an  accomplishment by any standard. The school premises located in wide expanse of land has opened up this part of the state to development. Completed and awaiting  commissioning is the Vice-Chancellor lodge, the senior and middle management quarters. Nnamani says of this project: “ How can you explain the rationale behind a  state university existing for the 26 years without a permanent site, with students staying in boy’s quarters, and in shanties.” Clearly, for the state government resolving  this problem has been achieved in putting the permanent site on ground. Students and staff of the school can have an atmosphere more conducive for serious  academic studies.

Another project that cannot be missed even in the middle of the town is the International conference centre. Last year when the President came to lay the foundation  stone, it was right at the foundation level with heavy equipment littered around as the only sign that work had actually began. Just like other mega projects, the dummy  model was the best anyone could come to understand how it would look like. Right now the International conference has taken shape, and is about 95% completed.  The centre is a 5000 sitting capacity, with a 200 bed room hotel annex. Although not fully completed, a little nudge and it will be there. It is quite possible that the  President might wish to stop by and catch a glimpse of how this project is shaping up.

 It may not be right there, but it is already there. The intention of having such a centre according to the government is to  encourage intellectual activities in a zone that  do not have such; unlike Lagos or Abuja. It would also they say be an avenue for cultural and social activities. However it is looked at, Enugu state government has a  something to show the people and the presidential entourage when they do eventually visit.