Governor of Anambra state, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has flagged off the construction of the 1.8 kilometre-Ama Isi Udala Village road, Ifite-Ogwari road project in Ayamelum local government area of the state, while urging the people to vote massively for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) during the elections.
The governor inaugurated the project which is considered strategic because it leads to the irrigation basin in the area.
In a statement released by Christian Aburime, the Press Secretary to Soludo, the governor said the flag-off was a promise he had come to fulfill.
“Before I came, I met with the stakeholders of Ayamelum, where they pleaded that we construct the Ayamelum road, linking Awka with a bridge and I considered it as very strategic.
“They also said that Ayamelum people are not in employment in the public sector. Nine months into our administration, we recruited 5,000 teachers, and Ayamelum people are there in their numbers.
“You also asked for roads, which is what we have come to do today. Your stakeholders also requested for appointments and we are already on it; all happening within ten months. We will do more.
“The first road which is about 27 kilometres, linking Ayamelum to the state capital is ongoing and very strategic and will be delivered in a few months’ time.
“The Commissioner just told me that the bridge has been designed. I can’t wait for the bridge to go across the river.
“But most importantly, Ayamelum is APGA land. On election day, make sure you come out en masse to vote APGA all the way.
“Our people should also imbibe the culture of paying their fair share by prompt payment of tax.
“A bishop told me to engage only foreign contractors for construction of Anambra roads, but New Idea, the construction company, has capacity and competence to deliver; that is why we gave them the contract.
“They mobilized to site immediately they were given the contract; it shows capacity, but they should bear in mind that the contract reads that the road will last a minimum of twenty years,” the governor concluded.
The Commissioner for Works, Engineer Ifeanyi Okoma noted that Governor Soludo has great interest in integrated development across the state. He pointed out that the road being flagged off leads to an irrigation site, and it is guaranteed to last for twenty years with five months’ completion time.
Speaking on behalf of New Idea Construction Company, Igwe Sir Ben Emeka thanked Governor Soludo for giving an indigenous company like theirs the opportunity to showcase their handiwork.
“I want to assure the governor that by April ending, we must have delivered according to the contract agreement,” he added.
Speaker of the State House of Assembly and APGA flag-bearer for Ayamelum state House Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uchenna Okafor, recalled all the promises the governor made to the people when he came to canvass for votes for the party and stressed that the flag-off and other things to come are in fulfilment of those promises.
He appealed to the people to vote for APGA all the way, if they wanted continuity and development.
Also speaking, the APGA senatorial candidate for Anambra North, Dr. Ebelechukwu Obiano, said, “We have come to flag off the road which is a good thing; so we have to thank the governor by voting APGA”.
Similarly, the APGA flag-bearer for Oyi, Ayamelum federal constituency, Lady Maurene Gwacham, reminded the people to vote APGA in order to remain in power.
Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi; Transition Committee Chairman for Ayamelum, Mr. Livy Onyenwe; Commissioner for Petroleum, Barrister Tony Ifeanya; MD/CEO ATMA, Mr. Emeka Okonkwo; and a large crowd of supporters, among others, attended the event which featured the cutting of tape to signal the official flag-off of the road.
Edited by Amaka E. Nliam
