2027: Nsukka endorses Mbah, Tinubu as governor unveils rail project, defends reforms
Governor Peter Mbah has announced plans to commence construction of a 135-kilometre rail line traversing key parts of Enugu State, as the people of Enugu North Senatorial District formally endorsed
Governor Peter Mbah has announced plans to commence construction of a 135-kilometre rail line traversing key parts of Enugu State, as the people of Enugu North Senatorial District formally endorsed his re-election and that of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Mbah made the disclosure on Saturday at a massive endorsement rally held at Nsukka Township Stadium, where he also reeled out achievements of his administration and defended ongoing reforms across sectors.
The governor said the proposed rail line, for which feasibility studies had been concluded, would run from Ugwuoba through Udi, Ninth Mile, Enugu and Nsukka to Obollo Afor, positioning the state as a major economic hub.
“We have concluded the feasibility study and we are soon going to flag off a 135km rail line… that is what we are committing to,” he said, adding that his administration had consistently proven skeptics wrong on ambitious projects.
Mbah reiterated his government’s target of growing Enugu’s economy to $30 billion within eight years, stressing that the focus was on building strong economic fundamentals while ensuring that development remained people-centred.
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He noted that investments in transport infrastructure, including modern terminals and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, were aimed at improving mobility and boosting commercial activities across the state.
Addressing criticisms over urban renewal projects, particularly the remodelling of Ogige Market at Nsukka, the governor said the intervention was necessary to avert potential disasters, describing the market as “a keg of gunpowder” prior to government action.
“We saw Ogige Nsukka Market as a keg of gunpowder. If we didn't do anything and we had an emergency in that market, we would have been asked, did you have a government in this state?
"So there was no way we could have moved an emergency into the market," he said.
He assured that affected traders would be reintegrated through newly constructed shops and supported with seed capital to restart their businesses.
Mbah emphasised that his administration’s development model was anchored on inclusivity, fairness and equity, insisting that no part of the state would be left behind.
He recalled that his government had restored normalcy by ending the disruptive sit-at-home order that once crippled economic and social activities, noting that businesses and schools now operate fully on Mondays.
The governor also highlighted progress in education and healthcare, stating that the sectors had received the largest share of the state budget, with 102 primary healthcare centres completed and set for operation in the zone alone.
He further pointed to ongoing efforts to revive moribund industries and public assets, including Nigergas, United Palm Products Limited, Sunrise Flour Mills and Hotel Presidential, alongside flagship projects such as the International Conference Centre and the Enugu International Hospital.
