by Kingseyi Sun Jul 22, 2018 6:03 amThe recent inauguration of the ancient and
historic Milliken Hill road, Ngwo, Enugu, newly
reconstructed and modernized with street lights
and other safety measures by Gov. Ifeanyi
Ugwuanyi’s administration, did not only stir
jubilation in the state, it also rekindled the
people’s confidence in good governance and
participatory democracy. Constructed between
1909 and 1928 by the colonial government, the
all-important hilly, undulating road which was
hitherto neglected for many decades has today
become a centre of attraction and a new bride
for motorists driving into the Coal City state
through the Onitsha-Enugu federal expressway.
Interestingly, the good news is that the federal
road, which was closed a few weeks ago for
total rehabilitation by Gov. Ugwuanyi’s
administration has been reopened to traffic as
an alternative route for travelers plying the
intractable Ugwu Onyeama section of the
Ontisha-Enugu federal road into Enugu City.
Bounded by a deep valley and beautiful pine
trees that showcase the beautiful green nature of
the Coal City, the long neglected snaking
Milliken Hill road also abounds with other
natural endowments and a rich heritage that
upholds its fame as a key tourist attraction,
which needs to be cherished and protected for
generations yet unborn.
As a monumental edifice built close to a century
ago, the winding hilly road has over the years
kept faith with history in terms of what it
symbolizes to an average Igbo man.
According to history, British tourists on their
way to the Middle Belt from Awka in 1908
sighted the hill at Ngwo, Enugu. In appreciation
of its natural, beautiful outlook and anticipation
of the inherent mineral potentials drew the
attention of the colonial government in Lagos.
Consequently, a team of mining engineers was
reportedly sent down to Enugu in 1909 to
prospect for silver in the hill. They struck coal
instead. It was also reported that the discovery
of coal attracted the Europeans to settle on top
of the hill at Ngwo now known as “Hilltop”, and
subsequent construction of the Milliken Hill road
which was named after the head engineer, who
designed the historic road.
Propelled by this noble vision and the need to
protect and preserve the enduring legacy
bequeathed to the Igbos in particular and entire
country in general, by the colonial masters, and
in keeping with his administration’s urban
renewal agenda, Gov. Ugwuanyi in spite of the
nation’s economic crunch, embarked on the
reconstruction of the 12-kiliometer 9th Mile-
Ekochin-Ngwo-Milliken Hill-New Market federal
road. The project’s peak of attraction is the
Milliken Hill section, which was completely
reconstructed after being fortified with concrete
retaining walls, jersey-kerbs and street lights for
its lifespan enhancement and safety of road
users.
The giant infrastructural rebirth of Enugu’s
Milliken Hill road is not only legendary and
novel but also a display of exemplary leadership
by the people’s governor, who has continued to
remember the long-neglected and abandoned
areas of the state.
It is on record that Gov. Ugwuanyi’s
administration has in the last three years spent
over N45 billion on road construction and
reconstruction across the length and breadth of
the state, covering about 300 kilometers.
This act of governance is borne out of
dedication to service, political will and
commitment to the wellbeing of the people in
fulfillment of the dreams and aspirations of the
founding fathers of Enugu State.
On the Milliken Hill road, kudos must therefore,
go to Gov. Ugwuanyi for spearheading such a
momentous and time-honoured intervention
laced with vision and passion for the safety of
road users and protection of the state’s rich
heritage. His footprints on the hill will remain
indelible as history will, no doubt, forever
remember him for reinvigorating the spirit and
vision of the initiators and executors of this
landmark project for the service of mankind.
No wonder, the jubilation and excitement that
greeted the reopening of the road to traffic by
the governor after its reconstruction and
modernization. The colourful event which took
place at the entry point of the hill beneath the
quarters of the miners at Iva Valley and
Onyeama Coal Mines, a few poles away from the
popular Enugu New Market, saw a large turnout
of jubilant residents of the state, including
leaders and members of the religious and
traditional institutions, market men and women,
motorists, “okada” and “keke” riders, and the
governor’s teeming supporters, among others,
who took to their dancing steps, praising him
for his remarkable feat.
Speaking on behalf of the visibly enchanted
residents, the leader of the host community and
former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Chief
Dubem Onyia expressed gratitude to Gov.
Ugwuanyi for keeping faith with his promise to
reconstruct and modernize the road with street
lights and other safety measures. Chief Onyia
noted that the road was symbolic and very
significant to the people of Ngwo, Enugu State
and the entire Igbos, appreciating the governor
for his prompt intervention. The community
leader equally pointed out that the governor has
wiped out their tears for good, maintaining that
no government had reconstructed the road after
it was built by the colonial masters.
According to him, “Today, you (Ugwuanyi) have
wiped out the tears of not only Ngwo people but
also the Igbo people. Since the colonialists built
this road, no government has ever reconstructed
it until now.” He, therefore, reassured the
governor of the people’s unflinching support for
his re-election in 2019.
Adding his voice of heartfelt appreciation, the
Executive Chairman of Enugu North Local
Government Area, Hon. Emma Onoh
commended the governor for his courage and
vision in reconstructing the road for the overall
interest of the people of the state and beyond.
Inaugurating the road, Gov. Ugwuanyi, who was
overwhelmed by the outpouring of gratitude and
excitement, stated that the project was a “great
infrastructural asset and rich heritage of our coal
city state”.
Describing the Milliken Hill section of the 12-
kilometer road as “our natural roller coaster”,
the governor disclosed that “no road in our
environment affords tourists and motorists the
beautiful view of Enugu that this road offers”.
According to him, “I stand here today with joy in
my heart, buoyed by the happy faces of Ndi
Enugu, to inaugurate this reconstructed, historic
legacy, the Milliken Hill road; a renowned tourist
attraction which history is consistent with coal
discovery in our state in the early 20th century.
“The great excitement that greeted the
reconstruction of this legacy road is therefore
consequential and our gratitude, most profound,
goes to God Almighty for affording us the
means and commitment to deliver this project.”
He, therefore, urged motorists to drive slowly
and safely with caution through the meandering
road, to cherish the natural green beauty and
panoramic view, the undulating road offers.
The people’s governor, as the inscription on one
of the billboards erected on the road reads: “FOR
WHAT YOU HAVE DONE AT MILLIKEN HILL,
HISTORY WILL FOREVER REMEMBER YOU”. The
good people of Enugu State and beyond will
continue to appreciate this cherished legacy and
other numerous giant strides of your people-
oriented administration. Enugu State is truly in
the hands of God!
historic Milliken Hill road, Ngwo, Enugu, newly
reconstructed and modernized with street lights
and other safety measures by Gov. Ifeanyi
Ugwuanyi’s administration, did not only stir
jubilation in the state, it also rekindled the
people’s confidence in good governance and
participatory democracy. Constructed between
1909 and 1928 by the colonial government, the
all-important hilly, undulating road which was
hitherto neglected for many decades has today
become a centre of attraction and a new bride
for motorists driving into the Coal City state
through the Onitsha-Enugu federal expressway.
Interestingly, the good news is that the federal
road, which was closed a few weeks ago for
total rehabilitation by Gov. Ugwuanyi’s
administration has been reopened to traffic as
an alternative route for travelers plying the
intractable Ugwu Onyeama section of the
Ontisha-Enugu federal road into Enugu City.
Bounded by a deep valley and beautiful pine
trees that showcase the beautiful green nature of
the Coal City, the long neglected snaking
Milliken Hill road also abounds with other
natural endowments and a rich heritage that
upholds its fame as a key tourist attraction,
which needs to be cherished and protected for
generations yet unborn.
As a monumental edifice built close to a century
ago, the winding hilly road has over the years
kept faith with history in terms of what it
symbolizes to an average Igbo man.
According to history, British tourists on their
way to the Middle Belt from Awka in 1908
sighted the hill at Ngwo, Enugu. In appreciation
of its natural, beautiful outlook and anticipation
of the inherent mineral potentials drew the
attention of the colonial government in Lagos.
Consequently, a team of mining engineers was
reportedly sent down to Enugu in 1909 to
prospect for silver in the hill. They struck coal
instead. It was also reported that the discovery
of coal attracted the Europeans to settle on top
of the hill at Ngwo now known as “Hilltop”, and
subsequent construction of the Milliken Hill road
which was named after the head engineer, who
designed the historic road.
Propelled by this noble vision and the need to
protect and preserve the enduring legacy
bequeathed to the Igbos in particular and entire
country in general, by the colonial masters, and
in keeping with his administration’s urban
renewal agenda, Gov. Ugwuanyi in spite of the
nation’s economic crunch, embarked on the
reconstruction of the 12-kiliometer 9th Mile-
Ekochin-Ngwo-Milliken Hill-New Market federal
road. The project’s peak of attraction is the
Milliken Hill section, which was completely
reconstructed after being fortified with concrete
retaining walls, jersey-kerbs and street lights for
its lifespan enhancement and safety of road
users.
The giant infrastructural rebirth of Enugu’s
Milliken Hill road is not only legendary and
novel but also a display of exemplary leadership
by the people’s governor, who has continued to
remember the long-neglected and abandoned
areas of the state.
It is on record that Gov. Ugwuanyi’s
administration has in the last three years spent
over N45 billion on road construction and
reconstruction across the length and breadth of
the state, covering about 300 kilometers.
This act of governance is borne out of
dedication to service, political will and
commitment to the wellbeing of the people in
fulfillment of the dreams and aspirations of the
founding fathers of Enugu State.
On the Milliken Hill road, kudos must therefore,
go to Gov. Ugwuanyi for spearheading such a
momentous and time-honoured intervention
laced with vision and passion for the safety of
road users and protection of the state’s rich
heritage. His footprints on the hill will remain
indelible as history will, no doubt, forever
remember him for reinvigorating the spirit and
vision of the initiators and executors of this
landmark project for the service of mankind.
No wonder, the jubilation and excitement that
greeted the reopening of the road to traffic by
the governor after its reconstruction and
modernization. The colourful event which took
place at the entry point of the hill beneath the
quarters of the miners at Iva Valley and
Onyeama Coal Mines, a few poles away from the
popular Enugu New Market, saw a large turnout
of jubilant residents of the state, including
leaders and members of the religious and
traditional institutions, market men and women,
motorists, “okada” and “keke” riders, and the
governor’s teeming supporters, among others,
who took to their dancing steps, praising him
for his remarkable feat.
Speaking on behalf of the visibly enchanted
residents, the leader of the host community and
former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Chief
Dubem Onyia expressed gratitude to Gov.
Ugwuanyi for keeping faith with his promise to
reconstruct and modernize the road with street
lights and other safety measures. Chief Onyia
noted that the road was symbolic and very
significant to the people of Ngwo, Enugu State
and the entire Igbos, appreciating the governor
for his prompt intervention. The community
leader equally pointed out that the governor has
wiped out their tears for good, maintaining that
no government had reconstructed the road after
it was built by the colonial masters.
According to him, “Today, you (Ugwuanyi) have
wiped out the tears of not only Ngwo people but
also the Igbo people. Since the colonialists built
this road, no government has ever reconstructed
it until now.” He, therefore, reassured the
governor of the people’s unflinching support for
his re-election in 2019.
Adding his voice of heartfelt appreciation, the
Executive Chairman of Enugu North Local
Government Area, Hon. Emma Onoh
commended the governor for his courage and
vision in reconstructing the road for the overall
interest of the people of the state and beyond.
Inaugurating the road, Gov. Ugwuanyi, who was
overwhelmed by the outpouring of gratitude and
excitement, stated that the project was a “great
infrastructural asset and rich heritage of our coal
city state”.
Describing the Milliken Hill section of the 12-
kilometer road as “our natural roller coaster”,
the governor disclosed that “no road in our
environment affords tourists and motorists the
beautiful view of Enugu that this road offers”.
According to him, “I stand here today with joy in
my heart, buoyed by the happy faces of Ndi
Enugu, to inaugurate this reconstructed, historic
legacy, the Milliken Hill road; a renowned tourist
attraction which history is consistent with coal
discovery in our state in the early 20th century.
“The great excitement that greeted the
reconstruction of this legacy road is therefore
consequential and our gratitude, most profound,
goes to God Almighty for affording us the
means and commitment to deliver this project.”
He, therefore, urged motorists to drive slowly
and safely with caution through the meandering
road, to cherish the natural green beauty and
panoramic view, the undulating road offers.
The people’s governor, as the inscription on one
of the billboards erected on the road reads: “FOR
WHAT YOU HAVE DONE AT MILLIKEN HILL,
HISTORY WILL FOREVER REMEMBER YOU”. The
good people of Enugu State and beyond will
continue to appreciate this cherished legacy and
other numerous giant strides of your people-
oriented administration. Enugu State is truly in
the hands of God!
