The Chairman of Enugu East Local Government Area in Enugu State, Beloved-Dan Anike, says his administration has embarked on construction of 40 roads with solar lights to enhance security in the area.

Mr Anike said during an interview on Thursday in Enugu that the efforts of the state government to ensure that the 40 roads deficit of the council undertaken had opened more access roads.

He said that most of these roads traversed farmlands, mini-forests and isolated areas, which had made it impossible for any evil-minded individual or group to use any part of the council as incubator or free operating field.

According to him, there is ongoing construction of 12 roads in Emene axis; seven ongoing in Nike axis and one of the roads is the 10 kilometers road leading to Awhum Waterfall Road in Udi local government area.

He also said that the council had done dozens of earth roads in rural areas and some neighbourhoods in the suburbs, which further complemented what the state government was currently doing in the council.

The chairman noted that these developments had created confidence for residents to move more freely and gave security personnel and mobile security cameras access to the interior.

He stated, “For the 10 kilometres road to Awhum Waterfall, which is currently being undertaken by the state government, is a big win not just for security, but other socioeconomic potential of the council. The road, which will have full complement of solar-lights and surveillance cameras, will lead directly to the Awhum Waterfall and tourists as well as those that lodge in Nike Lake Hotel to visit the Waterfall and behold the beauty and wonders of nature.’’

He added that through Public Private Partnerships, a firm, Landmark Ltd, said it would establish a Golf Course midway the road, and a hydrophilic estate with extended farming garden space for each housing unit.

“The council is planning Farm Estates along the road as part of 12 Wards Farm Estate in the council. With all these coming up, you can see that the area within Awhum Waterfall Road, will soon be the centre of development where maximum security and a serene life would be guaranteed,” he said.

Mr Anike said that to further enshrine peace and security, he had set up a Land Mediation Centre to resolve land disputes owing to fast urban development within the area.

He said, “Being a chartered mediator myself and having settled countless land disputes while I was a commissioner; I found it necessary to establish the Land Mediation Centre, made up of traditional rulers, community leaders, elders, lawyers and chartered mediators. We want to actively check disputes that might lead to avoidable crisis and conflict as well as ensure proper administration of land and check pressure on the land necessitated by rapid urban development of the council area.”

The chairman lauded Governor Peter Mbah stance on “maximum and uncompromised security” and investing heavily on innovative security surveillance cameras and search lights mounted on every road, bus-stops and highly populated areas in the council.

“The council also benefited from the 150 brand new security vehicles mounted with security cameras and real time 24-hour security monitoring from the Command-and-Control Centre.

“I must appreciate the personnel of the Nigeria police, Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force as well as members of the Forest Guard, Neighbourhood Watch Group and various vigilance groups keeping watchful eyes on nooks and crannies of the council.

“We are grateful to Almighty God, in whom the ultimate security of lives and property lies, for giving us peace and calm, even as we daily pray for the safety of everybody, especially all our security officials,” he said.

(NAN)