Urban Renewal: Enugu Govt. to rehabilitate 233 bus-stop shelters, road hand rails

*Calls for reputable health institutions to manage its new Medical Diagnostic Centre

*Approves recruitment of 50 House Officers and 15 radiography Interns for ESUT Parklane Hospital

In furtherance of its Urban Renewal drive and upgrade of infrastructure in Enugu State, the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has approved the immediate rehabilitation of 233 bus-stop shelters and road hand rails in Enugu metropolis, starting from the dual carriageway along 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu to Akwata Pedestrian Bridge by Ogbete Main Market.

Addressing newsmen after the meeting of the State Executive Council (EXCO), the Commissioner for Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, Barr. Chidi Aroh stated that the state government also approved the construction of new bus-stop shelters in all the newly constructed roads in the state capital and the relocation of five “critical” bus-stops that usually cause obstruction of traffic, such as the one located at the popular Agric Bank junction, Independence Layout, Enugu.

Barr. Aroh said that the decisions were reached after the Council considered the recommendations of the team of technical experts constituted to review the state of the infrastructure and how they can be enhanced and beautified to improve the status of Enugu as the historical capital of the South East geo-political zone.

The Commissioner disclosed that the Council directed that the relocation exercise be carried out within five days, while the rehabilitation should be completed in six weeks “in line with government determination to always deliver on its promises to the people as quickly as it should be”.

He said: “On this, the Capital Territory Development Authority has been given the go ahead to execute the projects and I can assure you that as usual, we will progress on these projects. We count on you as vital partners to report the progress as we go on”.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Fintan Ekochin told newsmen that the Council approved the establishment of a Management Team for the new Enugu State Medical Diagnostic Centre, which is on the verge of commencement of services that would comprise reputable national and international health institutions or organizations for the day-to-day running of the outfit.

Dr. Ekochin explained that the decision was taken in consideration of the sophistication of the equipment at the centre and the critical challenges of its management, adding that the Ministries of Information and Health were directed to call for expression of interest from national and international institutions, organizations and companies for a period of one month.

The Health Commissioner stressed that the process would enable the government to select the best hands to run the centre and “give the citizens of the state and beyond the best of healthcare delivery with best imaging, laboratory services and diagnostics in general”.

He announced that the Council also approved the recruitment of 50 doctors (House Officers) for ESUT Parklane Hospital, Enugu to meet up with the medical demands of the hospital, adding that 15 radiography Interns, who will assist in the imaging department of the establishment, are equally to be recruited.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Ogbuagu Anikwe stated that Gov. Ugwuanyi charged members of the EXCO and other Stakeholders in the state to intensify efforts towards the on-going voters’ registration to ensure that all eligible voters were registered within the available window for the exercise.

The Information Commissioner also disclosed that the governor at the meeting commended and encouraged the leadership of the state’s Fire Service for their response to challenges and directed the Commissioner for Rural Development, Hon. Gab Onuzulike, who supervises the agency to meet with the body to agree on bonus to be given to them for their good work.