SOLUDO FLAGS-OFF SAVIMOVO-UMUOFOR-NKWOR-UMUHU-OBAHU-OKIJA ROAD/SAVINOVO-UMUOFOR-BRIGHT STREET-NKWO-UMUHU-UBAHUEZIKE ROAD, IHIALA AND UGWUAGBA OBOSI ROAD, IDEMILI NORTH
By Christian ABURIME
Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo has flagged off and inspected two on-going road construction projects in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area.
The two road projects are the 4.26km Savimovo-Umuofor-Nkwor-Umuhu-Obahu-Okija road (Lot 1) being handled by Engr. Onyemelukwe of Rogel Nigeria Ltd and 4.3km Savinovo-Umuofor-Bright Street-Nkwo-Umuhu-Ubahuezike road (Lot 2) by N.F. Jadoon of Hammakop Consortium Ltd.
Also flagged-off was the 7 kilometer road construction at Ugwuagba Obosi, Idemili North Local Council.
Performing the function, Governor Soludo stated that the visit was to fulfill a promise he made during the last Anambra Gubernatorial Campaign.
“When I paid Dozzy oil a courtesy visit at Onitsha, he informed me of this Okija road. And again I saw the video of the road, how flood was terrorizing the people. I was disturbed and promised that when I become Governor, I will try to fix them,” Governor Soludo said.
Continuing, Prof Soludo said “When I became Governor, I learnt that for over 30 years Okija does not have a unified government. We declared an interim administration to have an interim President-General.
“We charged them with bringing security and a unified constitution, and gave them a year to complete the task. And ever since then, they have been working assiduously with the State government to achieve this and I can say Okija is better than before in terms of security.
“We came for inspection, and what I saw impressed me. I have directed the contractors to work as quickly as possible so that our people’s suffering will be reduced to the barest minimum.
Commenting on the Ugwuagba Obosi road, Governor Soludo expressed his displeasure with the level of work because the road was flagged off since October 25, 2022
Accordingto the Governor, “The road was flagged off on October 25, 2022 which is almost four months old and currently at 7% completion, with the road expected to be completed in the next two months. I expected the Contractor to be asphalting by now”.
Speaking directly to the contractor handling the project, Governor Soludo advised on the need to speed up the pace of the project or risk being terminated
“I was expecting to drive all the way to Mgbuka on an asphalted road. This is the reason I came to inspect the road.
The Governor further said, “In Owelle-Aja, people complained that the road is bad and that flooding is a problem. I decided to take a tour there to see for myself. After that, I informed my Commissioner of Works that the road would be included in our design.
“A woman who lived there said she wished I had come during the rainy season. She warned that if it rained, the flooding would swallow up my car.
“I want to tell the people that the Owelle-Aja project has been tendered with flood control and soonest, construction shall commence there including Mgbuka as well.
“Ndi Idemili, you elected me to serve, and that is exactly what I am doing! I will deliver and never disappoint you,” Governor Soludo declared.
He asked the people to vote for all APGA candidates in order to ensure sustainable development.
Earlier, the Governor was welcomed to the Ihiala and Idemili North by the TC Chairmen, Hon. Kingsley Obi and Mr Chuks Igboanua respectively who commended him for the road and other projects being embarked upon by the present administration.
Deputy Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Dr. Paschal Agbodike, Secretary to the State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, Commissioner for Education, Professor Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, Special Advised to the Governor on Town Union and Chieftaincy Matters, Barrister Asha Nnabuife and Managing Director of ABS, Mr. Chido Obidiegwu, reminded the people that the visit was a fulfilment of campaign promises. Individually, they appreciated the Governor and urged the people to continue to support yhe government and vote massively for the All Progressives Grand Alliamce in the forthcoming election.
Also, the APGA candidates contesting for various elective positions in the forthcoming general election were on ground to recieve the Governor at the places visited.
Chief of Staff, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, Chief of Protocol to the Governor, Hon. Chinedu Nwoye, Special Adviser to the Governor on Youths Development, Dr. Nelson Omenugha, among others attended the event.