G.R.A, “Government Reserved or Residential Area” is a suburb in the city of Enugu, it is located in Enugu north local government area of Enugu state. GRA is the center of activity as it is strategically located in the center of the city and houses, the state secretariat, three out of the four major radio stations in the state, most of the hangout spots and banks in the city including the central Bank.
First of all, welcome to my neighborhood and welcome to my city. I just feel like sharing with your reader what life is like here in Enugu especially in GRA. Enugu as most of you know is a state in southeastern Nigeria and its capital is Enugu, Enugu is popularly or most times refereed as Coal City or 042. I can’t say am a traveler but i have visited few places in Nigeria but none of those places felt like home and i don’t know why. the longest i have stayed outside Enugu was three weeks and that was when i visited Abuja. i have sometimes wondered why i dont feel too comfortable when ever i travel outside Enugu, i dont know if it its because i was born here or because of the easy life we live here in Enugu especially for those that reside in GRA. I am more particular about GRA because this is where i was born and everything i have done were centered in and around here. Aside from the fact that we have constant light, water and good road which might be one of the things that could make someone want to change his or her location, i have traveled and stayed in places that has constant light even more constant than what we have here, none stop water and a very good road network. let me take you guys around my neighborhood to know if my feeling about this place if justifiable but before then.
I was born in park lane general hospital, now ESUT teaching hospital parklane Enugu, this hospital is just one or two minutes drive from my house, my house is basically facing the hospital but the main entrance to the hospital is not that close, all my schooling were all in enugu and precisely here in GRA except my senior secondary school which wasn’t in GRA but very close to GRA. After my secondary school i gained admission to study med lab in Esut and guess what? I was brought back to GRA my neighborhood, where ESUT teaching hospital is located. GRA is like the center of Enugu, i might be wrong but thats the way i see it, for someone who resides in Enugu, any part of Enugu at all, be it New Haven, Independence Layout, Maryland, Trans Ekulu, or Emene you can never get most of the things you need in your locality but in the case of GRA, you can get close to 98 percent of everything you need here.
Getting Around GRA
GRA Enugu is connected by two major roads and lots of connecting and internal roads. The Enugu Abakaliki road and Enugu Onitsha express road are the two major road connecting GRA to other part of the city and outside the state. You can drive round GRA with either a cab drop or a tricycle, although you can get a bus that drives through GRA on their way to other part of the city but can only drop you at a bus stop along the road. To go inside, you can only trek if your destination is close to your bus stop or take a drop to where you are going to.
Where To Stay In GRA
Although GRA doesnt have as much number of hotels as places like New haven and Independence layout, but there are few number of hotel around GRA that visitor can lodge in and feel at home. Some of these hotels include Victoria Garden, Grace Cut Hotel, City Light Villa, Gorgic Hotels, Lotanna Souia Guest house, Standard Hotel, Golf Le Meridiem, Brifina Guest house, The Edge Guest house, Top Ten International Hotel, Bourgeon Hills Hotel, Golden Garden Suites, De Angelo Hotel, The castle resorts, Nugget Suites, Nugget Suites, Medway Luxury hotels And Suites, Dorons GATE Guest house, Apple Lodge Resort, Silicon Valley Resort, Aegeyi Grande Express.
Food And Places To Eat
Enugu is home to popular Igbo dishes and these dishes can be found in most restaurants or street food vendors along park lane and polo park. As long as you are in GRA you dont have to worry about food because not only are the foods within your reach, they are also affordable. Aside the street food vendors who mostly sell local dishes, here are some of the restaurants you can go and enjoy both local and continental dishes. Mama Onyinye restaurant, Celebrities, Kilimanjaro Restaurant, Dolphin Restaurant, Culture Arcade Restaurant, Full Time Restaurant, Golden Bowl Nigeria, Roots Restaurant & Cafe.
Places To Hangout In GRA
Most of the hangout spot and major hangout spot in Enugu are located here in GRA. These park and garden are places both family and friends can gather for any form of activity like relaxation, recreational for shopping. these places include, Polo park Mall, New Berries Park, Brifina Garden, Magic Garden, Enugu Sports Club and Enugu State Golf Club.
Education, Health Care and Places of Worship
Here in GRA we have one of the oldest secondary and primary schools, Two major Government medical centers, and two popular worship center for both the Catholics and the Anglicans.
For those who wish to start a family or relocate to the city, here are some schools in GRA. “Secondary” Government Technical College GTC Enugu, Government secondary School GSS Enugu, Graceland Private School, Magnet Schools. “Primary” Ekulu Primary School, Chiazo Nursery/
Other Places You may Wish to Visit In GRA
National Museum of Unity
Enugu State Golf Club
GRA is one of the places in coal city that would make you feel at home with a social life that is so exciting. Enugu has been argued to be one the most beautifully planned cities in Nigeria but GRA is arguable the most serene, the most secure, the most beautiful and the most planned part of Enugu, well, i know most people will argue this but that’s just the fact.
