Enugu approves Smart City housing, cable car, golf resort projects

The Enugu State Executive Council has approved the construction of 1,000 housing units at the Enugu Smart City, the Okpatu-Awhum Cable Car Project and the Ovu Lake Golf Resort as part of a fresh round of infrastructure, housing and tourism projects aimed at accelerating development and expanding the state’s economy.

The approvals were granted at the council’s meeting held at the weekend. Commissioners for Information and Communication, Dr. Malachy Agbo; Culture and Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke; and Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ben Osy Okoh, said the projects align with the administration’s target of growing Enugu’s economy from $4 billion to $30 billion within eight years.

The council also approved the completion and upgrade of Wings C and D of the Enugu State Secretariat Complex in the Government Reserved Area (GRA), rehabilitation of Wings A and B, and the development of 18,000 mass housing units at the Gateway Estate to help address the state’s housing deficit.

Also approved were the construction of the 10.5-kilometre Igogoro-Amachara-Ikpamodo-Okpo-Amaada road, repairs of flash flood-prone sections along the Nsukka major road, rehabilitation of damaged drainage systems, construction of five adjoining streets, and the procurement of more than 30 pieces of light equipment for the Ministry of Works to support maintenance and emergency intervention projects.

In the tourism sector, the Executive Council approved the development of the Ovu Lake Golf Resort in Akpawfu, the Akwuke and Attakwu Tourism Development Projects, and the flagship Okpatu-Awhum Cable Car Project to boost tourism and economic activities across the state.

Engr. Okoh said the projects would improve public infrastructure and address critical housing needs across the state.

“It is going to be a total transformation and remodelling of the Secretariat with modern facilities. In addition to the 1,000 housing units, the state government is also developing 18,000 mass housing units at Gateway Estate. It is a comprehensive housing development, including road infrastructure and services such as water and electricity, among others,” he said.

Speaking on the tourism projects, Madueke said the Ovu Lake Golf Resort would feature an 18-hole championship golf course, a luxury hotel, conference centre and other recreational facilities, while the Okpatu-Awhum Cable Car would transport visitors from the Cross of Hope on Okpatu Hill to the Awhum Waterfall through an intermediate station at the Awhum Monastery.