Senator representing Enugu North, Enugu State, in the National Assembly, Okey Ezea, said reconstruction work on the dilapidated Makurdi–Obollo–Opi– Ninth Mile expressway, would commence in the next few weeks.
Ezea, at thanksgiving Mass at St Theresa’s Catholic Cathedral, Nsukka, disclosed that he was “reliably informed by the federal authorities that, in a few weeks, work on that highway will gather steam at several points.”
The Senator stated that he has not stopped pestering the Federal Ministry of Works and China Harbour Engineering Ltd, the contractors handling the project, to whom the minister, Dave Umahi introduced to him, to mobilise to work as soon as possible.
He also disclosed that work is going on smoothly on the three rural road projects at Uzo-Uwani Local Government in the senatorial zone, which he inherited from his predecessor, Senator Chukwuka Utazi.
“Granted, the roads were attracted during the 9th Senate to which Senator Utazi was a member; however, because of the nature of our budgeting system that ensures that budget implementation takes place in the succeeding year, the actual award of the projects took place last November, five clear months after my inauguration in June last year.
“It took collaborative efforts between me and Senator Utazi to ensure that the projects were not diverted after the dissolution of the 9th Assembly,” he stated.
Senator Ezea assured that his tenure would give a sense of ownership to every person in the Enugu North zone, stressing that the era of leaders abdicating their responsibilities to the people soon after elections was over.
Bishop of Nsukka Catholic diocese, His Lordship Rt. Rev. (Prof.) Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, who officiated at the thanksgiving mass, in his homily, decried lack of Christian values in workplaces, saying only genuine concern for the people’s needs would create the transformative leadership that will impact the people.
Bishop Onah also called on politicians to focus attention on education and the internalisation of the values of humanity, lamenting that the absence of humanity in politics has been the reason behind corruption in most parts of Nigeria.
“Until we get education right, corruption, indiscipline etc., will not abate. One lesson we learned from the 2023 politics is that there is a limit to which the power holders can hold the people down,” he stated.
The cleric advised Senator Ezea to seek the voice of God if he wants to succeed as a leader of the people.
“You were a successful entrepreneur before you decided to spend your money (n politics). Like Abraham Lincoln, you won after several disappointments.
“You’re now sent to proclaim the good news. Whatever temptations you may face, ask: is it better to listen to God or men? Almost everybody around you would want you to be corrupt so they could benefit.
“As St. Paul says in the scripture, you as a Christian can’t conform your life to the things of this world. Looking at you, I know a new culture will be created at the Senate,” Bishop Onah said.
