The Anambra state Governor through the commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Chiamaka Helen Nnake, has said that plans are underway to introduce water buses in riverine areas of the state to end incessant boat mishaps.
While briefing journalists in Awka, the state capital, she said the innovation is contained in the 2023 budget to make water transport safer and more convenient. That it is a priority investment for those living along the river banks.
Apart from the water buses, the Commissioner informed that there is a robust power plan in the 2023 budget which she said is a strategy towards a 24-hour electricity supply in Anambra state.
The government is working closely with the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) and other private investors to guarantee a steady power supply in the state for industrialisation.
Again, the Commissioner noted that Anambra state has sufficient gas deposits that can generate electricity on a 24-hour basis. All these she said would be harnessed next year to create the needed atmosphere for businesses and investments to thrive in the state; even as she disclosed that the governor’s Community-Choose-Your-Project Scheme is contained in the 2023 budget.
Nnake also revealed that Governor Chukwuma Soludo has approved N1.2 Billion in Grants in the 2023 budget to assist local government transition committee chairmen for effective grassroots development.
She explained that the grants to be disbursed to Chairmen are captured in the 2023 budget and are different from the N25 Million Community-Choose-Your-Project Scheme of the present administration.
Nnake said that the grants are to motivate and encourage the council chairmen to do more at the grassroots level. According to her, the Community-Choose-Your-Project Scheme is community-based but the grants are meant for all-around transformation of the local government areas as each of the TC Chairmen has separate development plans peculiar to their council areas.
Dominica Nwabufo
