The Governor of Anambra state, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo says Anambra and Kogi state will meet 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 a gateway into the South East.
The governor made the statement while inspecting the 10.95Km Mmiata-Anam-Nzam Road (Section 2), awarded to Kanubeen Construction Nigeria Limited.
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, the governor expressed his dissatisfaction with the level of work.
Soludo added that going by the details of the contract, the Mmiata Anam to the Anambra West Local Government secretariat should have been completed and tarred by now.
“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”, Soludo said.
“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 roads and basic infrastructure, they requested IDP camps.
“Nzam is the only place I’m aware of in Nigeria where the Local Government Secretariat is not motorable,” he said.
Water transportation
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 the president-generals, traditional rulers, and stakeholders to mobilize for the forthcoming National Census and take the exercise seriously.
Speaking during the his party’s All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA rally in Anambra East at Mkpunando, Governor Soludo also promised that a youth entertainment, and leisure development centre will be built in the area.
He assured the people that their community would never be the same because of their devotion to APGA.
