The Ebonyi State Government has flagged off the reconstruction of the road leading to the premises of All Saints Anglican Cathedral in Abakaliki, the state capital.

The government has already set aside N38 million for the asphalting of the church premises.

It has also constructed drainages at the both sides of the road to prevent erosion that has been threatening the area.

The road has been in dilapidated condition since 1959 when the church was established.

Flagging off the road reconstruction on Monday, Governor Dave Umahi, who was represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Infrastructure maintenance, Chief Ali Odefa, said the reconstruction was part of social responsibility of the state government to the people of the state.

He said: “This is a very dilapidated road, this road has been left unattended to professionally since 1959 when this church moved to this place. What the church have been trying on the road is intervention works where necessary and as soon as those works failed, they also try to patch it.

“This is what prompted the State Government as part of its social responsibility to the people of Ebonyi State to undertake a total reconstruction and asphalting this road. This road is 135meters. From the Ogoja road to the gate, it is 135km and it is sitting on solid concrete and asphalt over lay. We have introduced line drains on both sides so that erosion will not destroy the road.

“We are extending the asphalting of the church such that the car pot and other areas around the new cathedral will be asphalted and we are also introducing drains there so that we can control erosion there.”

Odefa noted that the work would be completed within two weeks, adding that the government will also install solar power street light on the road and the church premises free of charge.

Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Abakaliki, Rev. Monday Nkwegu, commended Governor Umahi for the gesture and assured that the church will continue to support his administration.

Umahi during the occasion donated N3 million to widows of the church.

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