The Enugu State House of Assembly Committee on Works and Infrastructure has held a strategic familiarisation meeting with the Honourable Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ben Osy Okoh, FNSE, F.ASCE, to strengthen collaboration and outline the Ministry’s development direction under the administration of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The meeting, which took place in Enugu, was led by the Committee Chairman, Hon. Clifford Nnaemeka Obe, and focused on addressing operational challenges, reviewing ongoing reforms, and reinforcing the shared vision of delivering world-class infrastructure for the state.
In his opening remarks, Hon. Obe described Governor Mbah’s appointment of Engr. Okoh as “visionary and appropriate” for the works and infrastructure sector. He commended the Commissioner for his competence and clarity of vision during his screening at the House and extended warm regards to stakeholders, including the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ogugua Emehelu.
Presenting his brief, Engr. Okoh highlighted key challenges confronting the Ministry, including security risks during project monitoring, inadequate operational vehicles and technical equipment, as well as insufficient manpower to manage the volume of ongoing projects across the state.
He announced that the State Government had engaged Ette-Aro and Partners as consultants to enhance project oversight, improve monitoring, and entrench quality control and accountability in service delivery.
Lawmakers present unanimously endorsed the Commissioner’s professional approach and pledged legislative support. Hon. Ogara Harrison (Vice Chairman) underscored the importance of clear reporting to the Governor and prioritisation of quality. Hon. Okey Mbah called for structured project management at the local government level, while Hon. Engr. Ede stressed the need for qualified consultants, drawing on his international experience.
Also contributing, Hon. Engr. Williams Amuka advocated for the immediate implementation of “Bill One” and recruitment of more engineers, while Hon. Chukwuma Ekwueme pledged legislative backing, especially during budget deliberations.
Closing the session, Chairman Hon. Obe applauded the purposeful start to Engr. Okoh’s tenure, noting that Ndi Enugu were already feeling the impact of his leadership. He assured the Commissioner of the House’s support despite potential resistance to reforms. He also called for a proper review of the 2025 budget implementation before adjustments for 2026, alongside better access to project data and resources to strengthen accountability.
The meeting ended with a renewed commitment between the legislative and executive arms to work in synergy towards redefining development standards and accelerating infrastructure delivery in Enugu State.
©Ngozi MaryAnn Ngene
Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Works and Infrastructure