SOLUDO INSPECTS 10.95KM MMIATA-ANAM-NZAM ROAD (SECTION 2), MAKES CASE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ANAMBRA WEST-KOGI ROAD,
… PLEDGES TO BUILD EZIAGULU OTU ROAD IN PHASES.
By Christian ABURIME
Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo says Anambra and Kogi States will meet to tinker ways to lobby the Federal Government into constructing a road that will link Anambra West to Kogi State; a project he described as a game changer that will serve as gateway into the South East.
The Governor stated this while inspecting the 10.95Km Mmiata-Anam-Nzam Road (Section 2), which was awarded to Kanubeen Construction Nig Ltd.
Governor Soludo also visited Mkpunando Enugu Otu Aguleri, the first sitting Governor to do so in the history of the state where he pledged to build the Eziagulu Otu-Enugu Otu Road in phases.
Speaking shortly after inspecting the Mmiata-Anam-Nzam road stretch, he expressed his dissatisfaction with the level of work. The contractor, however, explained that the flood that plagued the area for over two months impacted negatively on the progress of the road.
Governor Soludo added that going by details of contract signed with the Contractor, the Mmiata Anam to the Anambra West Local Government Secretariat should have been completely tarred by February of this year.
“I was told that during the rainy season, residents of Onitsha and its environs evacuate their homes due to heavy flooding.
“Anambra West means a lot to me! After my 2009/2010 tour, I made a personal commitment to wipe away their tears when I became Governor, including Ogbaru and Awka North”, Governor Soludo further stated.
“After being sworn in as Governor of Anambra State, the first road I inspected with my team was Okpoko in Ogbaru, and the second local government we visited was Anambra West to inspect this road.
“Anambra West is the only Local Government I visited twice during my gubernatorial campaign. When I first arrived, there was considerable agitation among the stakeholders. I needed to return for a special meeting with them.
“One of their demands was for the establishment of more IDP camps in Anambra East where they could seek refuge during the flooding. I fought back tears because, while other Local Government areas requested for roads and basic infrastructure, they requested for IDP camps.
“Nzam is the only place I’m aware of in Nigeria where the Local Government Secretariat is not motorable,” he noted.
The Governor expressed his commitment to developing the Water Transportation System, pointing out that his government will provide standard speed boats to transport people from Mmiata-Nzam to Onitsha and its surrounding areas to sell their produce.
He urged Presidents-General, Traditional Rulers, and Stakeholders to mobilize for the forthcoming National Census and take the exercise seriously.
Speaking during the rally in Anambra East APGA rally at Mkpunando, Governor Soludo also promised that a Youth Entertainment, Leisure Development Center will be built in the area.
“The road is very long in terms of kilometers and will be very expensive to repair, which is why successive governments have refused to do so.
“Our road projects are being completed in stages! I will send the Commissioner for Works to measure and design the road. Even if the road is federal or state, our people suffer while driving on it.
“The worst-case scenario after the design is that we will build the road in phases. Before my term in office ends, I’d like to drive on a tarred road from Aguleri to Mkpunando Enugu Otu”, he stated.
He also assured the people that their community would never be the same because of their devotion to APGA.
For the Transition Committee Chairman for Anambra West, Hon. Felix Ikechi, the Transition Committee Chairman for Anambra East, Dr. Anselem Onuorah explained that the road construction will boost economic activities in area. He further reminded them that APGA government is poised to deliver more at all levels.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Tony-collins Nwabunwanne and the Commissioner for Public Utilities stressed that the people have opportunity to enjoy a better life and society with Governor Soludo and APGA, explaining that approval has already been given for communities to start embarking of the twenty five million naira community choose your project initiative.
The APGA Candidate for Anambra North Senatorial District, Dr. Ebelechukwu Obiano explained that the present APGA-led government is bringing light into the dark community, just as the APGA Candidate for Anambra East and West Federal Constituency, Hon. Chinedu Obidigwe stressed that if the road is eventually built by the Governor, it will be the first tarred road in the history of Nzam, Anambra West.
The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, Former Chief of Staff to Governor Obiano, Chief Primus Odili, Chief Protocol to the Governor, Hon. Chinedu Nwoye, Commissioner for Works, Engr. Ifeanyi Okoma, Commissioner on Special Duties, Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa, Special Adviser to the Governor on Legal Matters, Barr. Tochukwu Nweke, APGA Candidates, among others accompanied the Governor.