Peter Mbah's Administration Under the Spotlight: Grassroots Failure or an Emerging Rural Success Story?

Peter Mbah's Administration Under the Spotlight: Grassroots Failure or an Emerging Rural Success Story?

By Glintnews Chinda

Enugu, Nigeria

For more than two years, Governor Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah has dominated national conversations with ambitious infrastructure projects that have reshaped the skyline and economic outlook of Enugu State. From the new International Conference Centre (ICC) and modern healthcare facilities to the New Enugu City initiative, urban road networks, Enugu Air, and investments in education, technology, and security, his administration has projected itself as one driven by rapid development and economic transformation.

Yet, beyond the impressive projects attracting attention in urban centres, an important question remains:

Are rural communities experiencing the same transformation, or has development largely remained concentrated in the cities?

That question took Glintnews to Nkanu East Local Government Area, the Governor's home local government, to investigate the realities on the ground. If development is expected to begin at home, then Nkanu East presents an important test of whether the administration's developmental philosophy extends beyond urban renewal into long-neglected rural communities.

Decades of Neglect in Nkanu South Development Centre

Our investigation focused on communities within the Nkanu South Development Centre, where residents say poor road infrastructure has isolated entire towns for generations.

Among the communities visited was Nomeh Unataeze, strategically located between Nenwe in Aninri Local Government Area, Nkanu West, and Mburubu in Nkanu East.

Residents described the area as one of the most neglected parts of Enugu State in terms of road infrastructure.

The historic road linking the Port Harcourt–Enugu Expressway through Nenwe, Nomeh, Mburubu, Nkerefi and Nara has existed for decades and served as one of the earliest access routes connecting these communities long before newer roads were developed through Agbani.

However, following the Nigerian Civil War, locals say the road gradually deteriorated and successive administrations failed to ashphat or construct it in anyway  leaving many communities effectively cut off from one another.

The poor condition of the road has affected movement of people and goods, increased transportation costs, slowed agricultural activities and reduced commercial interaction between neighbouring towns.

Even accessing the headquarters of the Nkanu South Development Centre at Umudara, Mburubu, only a few kilometres away for many residents, often became a difficult journey during the rainy season.

A Different Story Under Construction?

During Glintnews' visit, heavy construction equipment was observed working across several sections of the road.

Large drainage systems, earthworks, bridge construction and road expansion were ongoing in different locations, indicating that the project is progressing, although work has not yet been completed.

Residents interviewed acknowledged that while they are eager to see the project fully delivered, they believe it represents the most significant government intervention on the corridor in decades.

Mburubu Ancient Kingdom: "This Road Will Change Our Future"

At Mburubu Ancient Kingdom, Glintnews spoke with the Igwe-elect, Engineer Jerry Onuokibe, who described the road project as historic for his people.

According to him, Mburubu is one of the oldest settlements in Nkanu land, with a rich cultural heritage stretching back many centuries. Despite its historical significance, he said the community had struggled with poor road connectivity for generations.

He stated that no previous administration had undertaken a road project of this scale connecting Mburubu with neighbouring communities.

Engineer Onuokibe explained that the ongoing construction is expected to reconnect Mburubu with Nkerefi, Nomeh and Nara, opening new opportunities for commerce, agriculture, education and healthcare.

He further observed that improved road access would strengthen social and cultural ties among neighbouring communities.

"Roads do more than connect places," he said. "They connect families, businesses, opportunities and the future of our young people. This project has the potential to transform relationships that were limited for decades because movement was extremely difficult."

The traditional ruler praised Governor Peter Mbah's administration for initiating what he described as a project capable of redefining the economic future of the area.

Nkerefi: Strategic Infrastructure Long Awaited

Glintnews also visited Nkerefi, where the traditional ruler, His Royal Highness Igwe Christian Michael  Ogbonna, shared his perspective on the project.

According to the monarch, poor road infrastructure had remained one of the greatest developmental challenges facing Nkerefi and surrounding communities.

He noted that transportation difficulties affected residents, businesses, farmers and even visitors attempting to reach the community.

Igwe Ogbonna described the ongoing Nkerefi–Mburubu–Nomeh–Nenwe Road Project as one of the most strategic rural infrastructure investments undertaken by the current administration.

He said the project addresses a longstanding need that previous governments had failed to resolve despite repeated appeals from residents.

Speaking on the political implications, the monarch expressed confidence that many residents would judge the administration based on visible developmental projects.

According to him, "every responsible citizen appreciates leaders who fulfil promises through practical development."

More Than Asphalt: Bridges Opening New Possibilities

Beyond the road itself, Glintnews observed extensive bridge construction designed to overcome the rivers and seasonal streams that have historically isolated communities.

Among the major structures under construction are bridges across:

Ovu Mburubu–Nara

Ovu Nara–Nkerefi

Nvuna Nomeh–Mburubu

Evuna–Ngene Akwari, Nkerefi

Evuna Imeoha, Nkerefi

Residents say these crossings, once completed, will provide year-round access where seasonal flooding previously disrupted transportation.

Drainage channels, culverts and other engineering works are also progressing alongside the road.

In several communities visited, electrification projects were likewise observed, with residents expressing hope that improved infrastructure would stimulate investment and improve living standards.

Beyond the Cities

Governor Peter Mbah's administration has earned recognition for several flagship projects, including:

Modern urban road infrastructure across Enugu metropolis.

Expansion of healthcare through new specialist hospital projects.

The New Enugu City development initiative.

Enugu Air.

Investments in education, digital learning and smart schools.

Security improvements through technology-driven surveillance.

Ongoing economic and investment reforms aimed at positioning Enugu as a major regional business destination.

While these projects have attracted considerable public attention, the ongoing construction within the rural communities of Nkanu East suggests that the administration is also attempting to extend development beyond the state's urban centres.

Whether these projects are completed on schedule and ultimately deliver the expected economic transformation will largely determine how history judges the administration's grassroots impact.

The Question That Remains

The debate surrounding Governor Peter Mbah's government has often been framed as one between critics who describe many of the flagship projects as overly ambitious and supporters who argue that Enugu is witnessing unprecedented infrastructure renewal.

Glintnews' findings in parts of Nkanu East indicate that, at least in these communities, visible construction activity is taking place on roads that residents say had been neglected for decades.

The ultimate measure of success, however, will not be the commencement of projects but their completion, sustainability and the tangible improvements they bring to the everyday lives of ordinary citizens.

As the administration approaches the next phase of its tenure, one question continues to resonate across Enugu State:

Can the momentum seen in these rural communities become a model for development across every local government, ensuring that no community urban or rural is left behind?

Glintnews will continue this investigative series by visiting additional rural communities across Enugu State to examine the progress of infrastructure projects and assess their impact on local residents.